There was a distinct sense of déjà vu in Wandsworth when Ed Milliband unveiled Labour’s new housing policy at the weekend.

Last month Wandsworth council’s new Conservative leader, Councillor Ravi Govindia unveiled what appeared to be a very similar policy only to have it condemned by Labour councillors.

The Labour leader announced that his party wanted to give council housing priority to those in employment.

He said: "It's fairer and it also encourages the kind of responsible behaviour which makes our communities stronger. It is not about punishing people. It is about rewarding people who do the right thing in their communities."

His words echoed those of Coun Govindia, who said he wants to give greater priority on the housing list to “people who are working to encourage self-help and investment in the local economy.”

At the time Labour's housing spokesman in Wandsworth, Councillor Mark Thomas, claimed this would "penalise those who are out of work through no fault of their own" and cut away the safety net from those who are faced with losing their homes.

Wandsworth Council's housing spokesman Councillor Paul Ellis was surprised when he heard Labour's policy.

He said: "When I heard Liam Byrne (shadow work and pensions secretary) being interviewed on the Radio I thought I was listening to a Conservative spokesman!

"I cannot believe a policy we introduced three weeks ago is now part of the official policy of the Labour Party.

"It is very flattering. If he wants any advice on housing he can come and ask any time."

But Coun Mark Thomas said: "I do not think it is similar to what is being proposed in Wandsworth. The important difference is in what Ed Miliband said, he talks about providing housing for people who are in work and protecting the vulnerable.

"They are proposing to take away the rights of those who find themselves homeless.

"Although they have both mentioned working people, I think there is a gulf in approach and guiding philosophy.

"It will transfer the housing crisis from one group of people to another."

In a letter to the Wandsworth Guardian last week Coun Govindia rejected this argument.

He said: “Giving greater priority to working households does not mean people out of work would be denied social housing. It just means that we can help both sets of people rather than one set alone.”