For more than 50 years, I’ve been banging the drum for professionalism in the plumbing and building trades. I’ve fought tooth and nail to drag this industry out of the backstreets and into the modern world, where tradesmen are trained, qualified, accountable, and proud of their craft.

But I’ll tell you what, the cowboys are back in town, and this time they’re riding roughshod over a broken economy and a government that’s asleep at the wheel.

Desperate times breed desperate measures

When the economy’s in trouble — and make no mistake, it’s in dire straits under this Labour crowd, people tighten their belts. They look for a deal, they look for value. And who can blame them? Families are struggling, mortgages are up, and the cost of living is through the roof.

But here’s the harsh truth: desperation is the cowboy’s best friend. These unqualified, fly-by-night operators are circling like vultures, ready to swoop in with promises of cheap jobs and quick fixes. They prey on people’s hardship, take their cash, and disappear before the dust settles — leaving behind half-finished work, safety hazards, and heartbreak.

Where’s the regulation we’ve been promised for decades

I’ve spent decades calling for proper regulation of our industry, a national register of qualified contractors that separates the pros from the pretenders. But every government talks a big game and delivers nothing.

Now, as the economy slides and confidence crumbles, even self-regulation is breaking down. Good, skilled tradespeople who play by the rules are being undercut by cowboys who couldn’t change a tap or wire a spotlight properly if their lives depended on it.

We’re facing a new wave of rogues, fuelled by economic chaos and a lack of government backbone.

Don’t be fooled

If someone’s quote sounds too good to be true, it is. Simple as that. The cheapest job will always become the most expensive when you’ve got to pay twice to fix the mess a cowboy leaves behind.

I’d urge anyone thinking about home improvements or repairs to go with their gut, and go with a proper, professional company. Look for people with a track record, a real business address, a contactable online profile, and the credentials to back up their claims.

Don’t be seduced by smooth talk and low prices, because behind every “bargain job” is a disaster waiting to happen.

Time to run the cowboys out of town

We worked too hard to build respect for the trades to let a bunch of amateurs drag it back into the mud. The good people in our industry, the real professionals — should be angry. I know I am.

It’s time we ran the cowboys out of town for good. That means customers refusing to hire them, companies calling them out, and the government finally stepping up to regulate this industry properly.

Because if we don’t, the cowboys will keep riding rough-shod over honest workers and hard-pressed homeowners, lowering standards draining bank balances.