Isabel Rodríguez, Spain’s Housing Minister, was last month criticised by the left-wing ERC, who accused the government of “turning this into the legislature of speculators, rentiers, and big landlords” by failing to regulate short-term lets, while at the same time pumping money into private markets.

Forget what you know about October; while we’re dusting off Halloween decorations, millions will be preparing for one of the most vibrant, joyful, and downright beautiful festivals on the planet: Diwali.