A threatened rebellion by 50 Conservative MPs is causing Rishi Sunak’s government some trouble.

But North Swindon's MP is not among the trouble-makers – and thinks their objections to housing targets are misplaced.

Last week in Parliament the government withdrew a vote on its key Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, because 50 of its own backbenchers had indicated they would support an amendment to the bill put forward by former cabinet member Theresa Villiers.

The amendment would made housing targets set for each local authority advisory only and would remove the automatic presumption in favour of housing developments in the planning process.

The 50 MPs supporting it included former party leader Iain Duncan Smith, ex-ministers Damian Green, Esther McVey, Priti Patel, Chris Grayling and prominent MPs such as Tracey Crouch, Treasury select committee chair Harriett Baldwin, foreign affairs committee chair Alicia Kearns and Maria Miller.

The government would probably not have lost the vote, but would have had to rely on Labour votes to get it through.

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson is not one of the rebels.

He said: “I did not sign the amendment.

“Of course, we need to see improvements in planning, design and quality – but this amendment is too simplistic, and would do no more than reduce numbers further.”

Many critics have said the amendment would lead to a reduction in the number of new houses and flats being built – and in effect, be a NIMBY's (not in my back yard) charter.

Mr Tomlinson doesn’t go that far – but does say the government needs to make getting on the housing ladder easier and more attainable for everyone.

He said: ”It has to be a priority of any government to make the opportunity of home-ownership for hardworking families a reality – yet governments of all persuasions have failed to build enough houses for 30 odd years, making it harder and harder, especially for young people.

“Removing targets and allowing areas to seemingly opt out fails the next generation.

"Swindon, with cross-party support has always played its part and if everywhere had the same willingness to adapt, attract investment and grow – then once again home ownership, social mobility and crucially as many people as possible having a stake in their community can be within reach of all.”

Mr Tomlinson’s fellow Conservative member for South Swindon, Sir Robert Buckland, himself twice a cabinet minister, has not responded to a request for comment. He has not been named among the signatories of the Villiers amendment.