In response to the original question, I own some buy to let property in London and have seen amazing price rises in the last five years, but I dont feel confident that this is a good time to buy. Even in a recession prices dont tend to drop much, the market just goes static, so existing properties are usually a safe way to hold capital, but there are ongoing issues with a range of legal requirements such as gas checks and local authority licensing, also it can be difficult to cash in your gains (not forgetting capital gains tax)
In the near future I intend to buy into companies like Grainger as I have noticed a huge expansion in major companies doing "build to rent". I feel that the rental income is very secure - people will always pay for the roof over their heads even if they cant afford a foreign holiday or a new car - and holding shares in a landlord company allows you to sell out any time.
So, as long as the future looks uncertain I think shares in rental firms give a good blend of security and convenience.
As for the latter part of the discussion, I agree completely that the concept of Mr Corbyn and Ms Abbot in charge of anything more than a hot dog stall, fills me with more terror than any horror film ever could.