No windfall taxes

This is the article the Telegraph asked me for on Friday:

 

I was happy to vote in support of the government opposing Labour’s windfall tax plans when they put them to Parliament. Ministers were right to say then that windfall taxes make the UK a less attractive place for business to invest. They introduce a more  unpredictable element into planning a long term business investment.

 

            It is particularly strange to single out the production of oil and gas from domestic sources for such a tax. After all surely the government  want to cut carbon dioxide output which we do by collecting and using our gas instead of importing foreign gas  in LNG tankers from abroad. LNG imports means twice as  much carbon dioxide for each unit burned.  We already tax producing energy at home at double the rate of other business activities  so it has an inbuilt windfall tax for the government. That should be another reason why we want to maximise home production and cut out imports. Why pay all that production tax away to Russia or Qatar when we could have it to pay for the NHS? If we produce more energy here we also have more better paid jobs, a further source of extra ` tax revenue as the Treasury taxes the salaries and then taxes the spending of those who earn the money. The government should actively be speeding and licencing more North Sea output and new fields to replace imports for green reasons, to raise more revenue and create more good jobs.

 

           There is a wider point of political importance. Conservatives believe that free enterprise and the market place are the right answer for the supply of many of our needs from bread and water to energy and clothes. The private sector innovates, offers great customer service, gets rid of unsuccessful or poor quality ventures and finances itself without recourse to tax revenue. In 2020 the large oil companies lost huge sums as demand for their products collapsed with lockdown. None of us thought the taxpayer should subsidise them. Shareholders took the hit. Two years later those same oil companies are making high profits on oil and gas production in the UK which will smooth the shareholder returns a bit after the bad year. The Treasury will take 40% of those profits. Those same companies like BP that also had big interests in Russia have just lost far more on their Russian write offs than they are making on the North Sea output. BP’s first quarter figures were a huge reported loss overall. It’s a reminder of what a risky business it is.

 

            I urged the Chancellor to have a second package of measures this spring. I am glad he came to the view that he had not done enough to offset the recessionary forces unleashed by such a large hit to real incomes. I urged him to give back the extra tax revenue he is collecting on oil, gas and electricity. His Vat receipts on energy bills will rise 50%, his taxes at the petrol and diesel pumps are well up, and his North Sea oil corporate tax is surging. This windfall tax rise should be given back to help people afford the dearer food and energy. I also urged him to give it back by a combination of increased Universal credit to help those hardest hit, and to offer some tax cuts. If he had cut the taxes we pay on domestic energy and at the pumps his measures would have nudged inflation down a bit. The higher inflation goes, the bigger the future costs to the government as they index payments to the new rate. Instead he chose to give it back through one off payments which will not reduce the cost of living at all.  

 

           The  more of the money he claws back in extra tax payments elsewhere the less impact the givebacks will have on helping growth and avoiding too sharp a slowdown. The Bank of England expected the economy to stall next year before the measures based on the impact of the income squeeze and their own monetary tightening  with dearer mortgages. The Chancellor needs to bear down on inflation more whilst at the same time assisting growth. Growth means  revenue grows faster and the deficit comes down. Past governments that have caused or allowed recessions have had ballooning deficits as revenue falls and public spending rises in a slump. There needs to be a big investment led boost to the economy as we need more capacity of many kinds – more home produced energy, more home growth food, more home landed fish, more home manufactured technology. This requires low corporate taxes, a stable approach to  taxing profits, and government regulatory, procurement  and licensing policies which assist capacity building at home. Putting in better first year allowances for making an investment does not offset the damage of higher rates of tax on all the years the investment is working, and does not compensate for the threat of windfall taxes if you are successful. The Chancellor should live his brand as the low tax enthusiast.

 

 

94 Comments

  1. Mark B
    May 30, 2022

    Good morning.

    A well written piece in line with many here’s thoughts.

    There has been some profiteering all round. From the government, keen to maintain high spending, and a private sector seeing an opportunity to make an extra bit of cash. As always we are in the middle and are the ones getting squeezed. This I argue is because we neither live in a true democracy or a capitalist country. It seems to me a typical British Botch of an affair complete with all the disadvantages and none of the other. Everyone quotes how much more expensive things are here, from petrol to houses, wherever there is the tiniest of demand there is government and an equally rapacious private sector. I can understand the latter, to a large extent we have control of that market, but the former is a sholey different matter for which there is little protection or let up.

    We, like the economy, need space and time to breath. Take that Jackboot off our throats !

    1. Sharon
      May 30, 2022

      In addition to everything else, I keep seeing – often in the Mail or Express- fines of ÂŁ1000 will be given for …. absolutely petty and stupid things. What is wrong with these people?

    2. Hope
      May 30, 2022

      Hannan- no conservative principles in govt. Lord Sumption- PM no integrity, values etc and Bootle about woeful economic path! Everyone can see it except Tory MPs. All articles lead to Johnson.

      He has to be ousted he is destroying the fabric of our society- economically, culturally Marxist, mass immigration, over a million last year!, Brexit sell out, Green zealotry, war monger after running away from Afghanistan then giving terrorists over ÂŁ100 million of our taxes! Over a billion of our taxes to corrupt Ukraine, ÂŁ11 billion still paid to EU, Northern Ireland annexed and country kept in EU orbit and control, fishing grounds given away for nothing in return, ÂŁ11.8 billion stolen by covid fraud. He is intent on giving away hard earned taxed money to the feckless wasters here and around the world. Making ordinary hard working striving, saving people impoverished while having third world public services if it can be obtained at all!

      I do not want to hear from LL to tell us Labour and SNP would be worse when as a matter fact and record it is not true! Two occasions in my life when my personal finances taken a hard hit to worry about- Major Govt and now!

    3. No Longer Anonymous
      May 30, 2022

      ÂŁ75 of your ÂŁ100 fill-up goes to government. Not “motorists” as the government keeps telling us we are (making out we’re hobbyists like Toad of Toad Hall doing it for fun) but hard pressed commuters paying to get to work out of taxed income.

      1. No Longer Anonymous
        May 30, 2022

        Then VAT on repair bills for a car that we wouldn’t need if we didn’t work.

  2. Bob Dixon
    May 30, 2022

    Blimey
    Now look where we are.
    Up a creek without a paddle.

    1. Everhopeful
      May 30, 2022

      +1
      Now which particular creek would that be? 🤔
      And the political alternatives have been all but wiped out by similar dirty tactics!

  3. DOM
    May 30, 2022

    This is not about helping people pay their bills but about electoral politics

    Let’s be honest here. Labour (and the SNP) and the Tories have no love for humanity. They’re brutal, vicious and nasty political operators, especially Labour (and their unions and Marxist allies) and the SNP, as we have seen since 1997 and there is no political decision too tough if it means political survival. Principle and respect fly straight out of the window. All will be sacrificed to achieve their political objectives.

    1. Nottingham Lad Himself
      May 30, 2022

      Go on, Dom, say something that shows us your “love for humanity” eh?

    2. Lifelogic
      May 30, 2022

      Surely it is hugely politically unpopular to make people freeze, damage the economy hugely and impoverish them? Especially as there is not even an up side to this war on harmless plant food insanity?

    3. Everhopeful
      May 30, 2022

      +many
      I really hope you are right.
      I would rather it were all about grubby, greedy local politics than a global government takeover.
      Is all of it about out-liberalling the opposition?

      1. Everhopeful
        May 30, 2022

        Oh I see.
        Sunak has just announce that the tories ARE the party of big spending… aka socialist!

    4. Hope
      May 30, 2022

      Dom, these fools created the financial mess. 12 years in govt leaves the blame squarely with party and govt.

      Johnson has accelerated financial melt down -personal and national. Like his private life a chaotic mess. Even May, before covid criticised the first socialist budget!

      Lockdown, printing money, green idiocy without providing a sustainable energy for commerce and residential purposes. Where is national security on food, energy, industry, borders?

      JR recognises the disasters by his recent blogs. He recognises “stupid” economic policy of govt when he sees it.

  4. javelin
    May 30, 2022

    Locking down the country, legally enforcing vaccines, undemocratic imposition of green policies, undemocratic imposition of mass mass migration, highest taxes ever. All the political parties are on board with the agenda.

    The Government have ignored the people and a significant number of the people have realised the social contract is now broken.

    It’s just a matter of time before the majority realise.

    1. Michelle
      May 30, 2022

      Will they realise in time though and even if it does dawn on them what’s happening will they do anything about it.
      I hope so.

    2. BOF
      May 30, 2022

      Well summarised javelin. We have an elective dictatorship that continuously ignors the electors.

    3. Sharon
      May 30, 2022

      I think more and more people are realising. Some may not understand why what they’re seeing, but there is a huge amount of anger around the country. at what is being seen.

      As the leader, the buck stops with him and so the anger is being directed at Johnson – and to an extent, the back benchers. They are the better quality MPs, and they’re seen as not speaking out or doing enough!

    4. No Longer Anonymous
      May 30, 2022

      ÂŁ12bn a year extra going to the NHS. All of it going to pay existing management which increased in numbers during the Covid crisis. All of that money going to NHS management.

      No ambulances. No space in A&E and unable to see a GP.

      Do not get ill. Do not get injured.

      The NHS is a gigantic management pension scheme with a health service attached. Unreformed. As is HS2, mass immigration, the blob…

      The economic crash hasn’t even started yet.

      1. alan jutson
        May 30, 2022

        NLA

        I feel unfortunately you may be right

    5. Hope
      May 30, 2022

      +100

    6. matthu
      May 30, 2022

      How would you be able to tell that the majority realize?

  5. Sea_Warrior
    May 30, 2022

    Good, clear, conservatism, Sir John.

    1. alan jutson
      May 30, 2022

      +1

    2. Peter Wood
      May 30, 2022

      Quite so. Sir J reccives much agreement and support from his readers here, it is with the PCP that he disagrees and receives very little support. Why is it one (lets hope others) Conservative can see the problems and obvious solutions but the PCP cannot?

  6. Ian Wragg
    May 30, 2022

    The windfall tax is another step to net zero. It is to deter the oil companies from exploration in the North Sea.
    Much better to maintain sky high prices by relying in unreliable windmills and buying gas at extortionate prices on the spot market.
    It lowers our carbon production don’t you see.
    It’s there in plain sight.

    1. Everhopeful
      May 30, 2022

      +100000
      Absolutely.
      And the “help to heat”is another move towards Universal Basic Income.
      Every horrible thing they have done….as you say….in lockstep with what they have been ordered to do!
      This government has us in a cruel headlock.

    2. Roy Grainger
      May 30, 2022

      It’s not even hiding in plain sight, it is the explicit policy of the government to penalise the use of fossil fuels via carbon pricing and other taxes. However when that policy actually starts working it seems they don’t like the consequences. It will be the same for their gas boiler ban – they’ll pursue it up to the point that people have to start paying for new boilers then they’ll start handing out money.

    3. Peter
      May 30, 2022

      A familiar observation this site is the fact that the government/prime minister/chancellor are not singing from the same hymn sheet as traditional conservative voters.

    4. Mark B
      May 30, 2022

      Yep !

      In order to save the planet we must limit demand by restricting supply and driving up the price. Less fossil fuels consumed less CO2. The clever thing is, both the business and government get to keep the same amount of revenue as before.

    5. glen cullen
      May 30, 2022

      Our government is no longer working for the benefit of its people….but following the instructions of foreign bodies eg the UN, WEF, EU and the green lobby

      1. Peter
        May 30, 2022

        Glen C,
        Agreed.

      2. Neil Sutherland
        May 30, 2022

        Vote for the globalist uniparty get globalism. It’s not difficult to understand.

  7. Shirley M
    May 30, 2022

    This is a Conservative government in name only. This is Brino, Brexit in name only.

    Boris and Sunak are incompetent, or working on behalf of somebody/something unknown. Not only is this government out-competing Labour on Labour policies, it seems to be out-competing the EU, too, with it’s total disregard for democracy, it’s failed promises, mass immigration, and its authoritarian ways.

    If the party does not replace Boris with somebody competent, who will deliver Brexit and work in the interests of the country (and not some impossible virtue signalling), then the party deserves to die and not just be in opposition. Get rid of Boris, PLEASE. The damage to the country is already too great to be forgiven, but you could stop it getting even worse.

    1. Nottingham Lad Himself
      May 30, 2022

      No, we really have left the European Union, and with it the enormous benefits of membership.

      Ask the countless exporters of everything from seafood to seat covers who have gone bust.

      Oh, and those in 6-hour queues at airports and ferry ports trying to go on holiday.

      1. Shirley M
        May 30, 2022

        How many industries and business were lost to EU countries (and even Turkey, a non-EU country) thanks to EU bribes, cheap loans and grants? Every single one was a kick in the teeth for the UK, who was the second highest contributor. The EU caused far more losses than Brexit ever could, and every single one of those losses could have been avoided if the EU had treated the UK more fairly, both before and after Brexit.

        1. glen cullen
          May 30, 2022

          Anyone else noticed how quiet DAVOS has been

      2. Peter2
        May 30, 2022

        NHL
        It cost us about ÂŁ12 billion a year in membership fees and we had a trade deficit of around ÂŁ80 billion a year.
        Then huge the costs of applying tens of thousands of EU laws rules regulations and directives.
        Enormous benefit you say.

        1. Bill brown
          May 31, 2022

          Peter 2

          As usual a totally uninformed reply as is always the case as you have not taken account of the balance of payments if the suppliers were outside the EU. Please when you contribute read it again before you submit it

          1. Peter2
            May 31, 2022

            Bill
            You have failed to give any proof that import substitution previously from the EU is 100% transferred to other import nations.
            Perhaps UK companies will benefit from customers change of trading.
            Even if it is 100% import substitution we still save the ÂŁ12 billion
            Looking forward to your carefully considered reply.

    2. Peter
      May 30, 2022

      Shirley.
      Agreed.

      I think they are working to feather their own nests (so on behalf of globalists) rather than incompetent.

      Although Johnson is certainly also badly organised if not incompetent. Its just that in this case ‘working for others’ trumps incompetent.

  8. Lifelogic
    May 30, 2022

    Indeed but Socialist Sunak has already trashed his brand as effectively as Gerald Ratner did by calling when he called his products crap.

    “After all surely the government want to cut carbon dioxide output which we do by collecting and using our gas instead of importing foreign gas in LNG tankers from abroad. LNG imports means twice as much carbon dioxide for each unit burned.”

    One might think they would be logical like this but do they really want this? After all they import wood to burn at Drax when burning coal would be far better in co2 and cost terms. The agenda of wind, solar, windfarms, scrapping cars to buy EVs, pushing energy intensive industries overseas, burning imported wood at Drax, walking, cycling, public transport… does little or nothing to save any or any significant worldwide CO2. The real people making gains are not oil companies that are the “renewable” industries as they have not had increasing fuel costs and are hugely subsidised too but can charge more for their electricity.

    As I have said before the war on CO2 make no sense as 1. we will get no real worldwide cooperation, 2. CO2 is not a serious climate problem anyway, 3. the solutions the government pushes to not even work in CO2 terms anyway. Furthermore even if all these were true we would be far better saving the billions & adapting as needed rather than wasting the money on a war on CO2. Removing C02 would not even be the best way to cool the earth should this ever be needed anyway. CO2 is far from some convenient World thermostat?

    1. Lifelogic
      May 30, 2022

      The new book:- Fossil Future: Why Global Human Flourishing Requires More Oil, Coal, and Natural Gas—Not Less – Alex Epstein is broadly correct.

      The war on CO2 is hugely expensive, massively damaging and totally pointless too. In fact it is an evil war on humanity.

      1. Everhopeful
        May 30, 2022

        Hear! Hear! To both comments.

  9. APL
    May 30, 2022

    Mr Redwood,

    Would you kindly tell you leader, that he was elected to govern the United Kingdom not the Ukraine. If he would prefer to deal with the affairs of Ukraine, he is welcome to resign from the United Kingdom government and Parliament and stand for election in Ukraine.

    Otherwise, we have pressing problems of our own here in the United Kingdom, – many of them a direct result of his policies and actions over the last three to four years.

    Please tell Boris Johnson, do the job he was elected to do or get out!

    Thanks
    Regards

    1. Everhopeful
      May 30, 2022

      +1
      Aye…send him off there.
      Pack his bags for him.
      And give him no good wishes… nor sandwiches!

  10. Bloke
    May 30, 2022

    Brilliant Chancellors reach for the stars to raise our nation’s performance higher.

    This one looks for classified policies in Exchange & Mart, and follows his astrologer for guidance:

    “Materialistic, resistant to change, fanatical, indulgent, gluttonous, possessive, stubborn, narrow-minded”

  11. Donna
    May 30, 2022

    There is no need for a windfall tax. All the Government had to do was cut the green levies and remove VAT (conservative policies) Instead they decided to trash conservative “principles” and copy Labour’s socialist ones. Johnson and Sunak are destroying Conservatism as thoroughly as Heath did in the 1970s.

    And now the geniuses are warning us that we may have gas rationing and power cuts.

    This, we’re told is “due to the Ukraine war.” Nothing to do with the lunacy of Net Zero; a decade of decommissioning and blowing up perfectly good coal-fired power stations and reducing the UK’s gas storage facilities to around 4 days’ supply …. oh dearie me no. Events dear boy; couldn’t possibly be foreseen!

    However, on the plus side this does appear to be an admission that neither reliable power, nor a 21st century economy, can be run on wind and a prayer as anyone with a few functioning brain-cells has known and told them for a very long time.

    Perhaps the next announcement will be that fracking will finally commence. IF the Eco nutter in No.10 and her fellow Green Loonies CONs permit it, of course.

  12. Dave Andrews
    May 30, 2022

    Speaking for myself, I’m not that bothered about growth. I just want to earn a decent living and no more.
    If everyone thinks like me, and wants to enjoy life as well, and not have an 80 hour week, what is the government’s solution to the economy in absence of growth?

  13. Narrow Shoulders
    May 30, 2022

    The Conservative previously chose to leave money in people’s pockets to use while Labour took more tax to give it back in various guises, the more expensive, bureaucratic and authoritarian option.

    The suggestions you offer above, like cutting VAT and duty on fuel were Conservative options. Your government has opted for the Labour option of taking to give back. Action to be seen to be taking action rather than action for outcome. We are governed by focus group and Twitter, a conviction politician, a conviction politician, our Kingdom for a conviction politician!

  14. George
    May 30, 2022

    “Conservatives believe that free enterprise and the market place are the right answer for the supply of many of our needs from bread and water to energy and clothes.”
    Says an MP from the most authoritarian British government in history. No other government has ever imprisoned it’s population, attempted to force unproven medical treatments on them, mandated business closures and pumped so much currency into an economy lying on it’s death bed. Until 2020 no government in the world had ever committed so many crimes for so little cause.

  15. Iain Moore
    May 30, 2022

    Today I gather the Government is scrambling around trying to keep coal fired power stations open they were trying to close, and working to a scenario that suggests we may have power cuts this winter. Brilliant , yet again we are treated to the spectacle of a Government fighting problems IT has created with its Green zealotry. It seems we we are destined to spend our time trying to undo the damage being done to our country by the British political establishment , we would have a lot fewer problems if they weren’t around.

    Another problem created by the British political establishment is mass immigration. For a decade we have been voting for control, and what have we got? No control ! Last week it was revealed the Government confetti like issued over One Million visas last year, and with no sense of shame and embarrassment today announced a free for all from the world’s top universities, and their families. Great! Oh and 60,000 Ukrainians.

  16. Lester_Cynic
    May 30, 2022

    Sir John

    Reading between the lines you seem to be in favour of Net Zero?

    When all the evidence points to it being a UN orchestrated scam…. Why?

    Reply There is nothing to read between the lines. I say what I mean.

    1. glen cullen
      May 30, 2022

      Is there any MP that supports fracking for shale gas, opening up coal fields and drilling for more north sea oil ???

    2. Lester_Cynic
      May 30, 2022

      Reply to reply

      Then you mistakenly believe in Net Zero despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary?

  17. turboterrier
    May 30, 2022

    Conservatives believe in free enterprise?

    Not it would appear , with the present state of play.

    One of the easiest ways to make money is not to waste it in the first place. The perception is that there are about 50 odd like minded Conservatives like you Sir John. The rest speak for themselves by their actions or lack of them.

  18. Original Richard
    May 30, 2022

    “After all surely the government want to cut carbon dioxide output which we do by collecting and using our gas instead of importing foreign gas in LNG tankers from abroad. LNG imports means twice as much carbon dioxide for each unit burned.”

    The very illogicality in green terms, never mind in economic and security terms, clearly demonstrates that the Net Zero Strategy is NOT designed to save the planet as claimed but rather to destroy our economy and even worse still, our security, through replacing our ample, affordable, reliable, weather independent nuclear and fossil fuels with increasingly scarce, expensive, weather dependent, intermittent electricity based upon Chinese supplied wind turbines and solar panels.

    Furthermore, the electrification of transport and heating will mean a massive expenditure on grid capacity is required and our dependency on China for the raw materials, if not finally the vehicles themselves, for our electric motors and batteries.

  19. The Prangwizard
    May 30, 2022

    OT. As I mentioned the other day, today we’ve had an announcement, for publicity, this time cutting EU regulations. (Again)

    I forecast there will be no change of fundamental significance. This is just more from Boris the deceiver.

    We’ve had no action on The NI protocol and we won’t get any. Boris the deceiver will as with everything else just pretend he will do something.

    All he will push forward is his destruction of our economy and society with his and Carrie’s insane and dangerous green policies and other global control of our country.

    It is gravely disappointing that our host continues to support him, because it not the ‘done thing’ to do anything else.

    Sadly just criticising the others won’t do. Matters are far too serious.

    1. Lester_Cynic
      May 30, 2022

      The Prangwizard

      I couldn’t agree more + 100’s

      We’re well and truly screwed

  20. Mickey Taking
    May 30, 2022

    ‘The Chancellor should live his brand as the low tax enthusiast. ‘

    Exactly – and Johnson too!

  21. Sea_Warrior
    May 30, 2022

    And The Sun – the paper, not the big yellow thing – is now suggesting that up to 6 million of us will face power-cuts next winter. Well, that sorts out the energy-cost issue. It’s time for security of supply to be the primary consideration in government energy policy. If Kwarteng isn’t onboard with that idea, he’ll have to go.

    1. Nottingham Lad Himself
      May 30, 2022

      Fine, but the so-called libertarians will have to accept that the owners of private property – energy companies etc. – cannot do just as they like with it, won’t they?

      1. Peter2
        May 30, 2022

        Are you not confusing owning private property with owning a business NHL.

        1. Bill brown
          May 31, 2022

          Peter 2

          I was not talking 100 pct import substitution as we don’t know how much of the imports were used for later exports, so your questions are totally irry

    2. Mike Wilson
      May 30, 2022

      Which 6 million? Did it say?

  22. Shirley M
    May 30, 2022

    “Boris Gives ÂŁ50m Government Money To BLM And Left Wing Campaigners” in the news today. Is this true? So this government thinks that BLM comes before pensioners, and illegal immigrants come before legal UK citizens, and minorities are more important than the majority, etc. The CONS deserve a thoroughly good kicking at the elections, and I hope they get it!

    1. glen cullen
      May 30, 2022

      I was brought up believing in the rule of law, respecting society, police and obeying the rules of any country….it now appears that immigrant visa is irrelevant, supporting anti society organisations is encouraged and promoting of national ideals is a sin and the honour system out the window…minor indiscretions and breaking the law okay

  23. glen cullen
    May 30, 2022

    Its plain and simple, this government, its leadership and the Tory party has lost its way

  24. BOF
    May 30, 2022

    Excellent article Sir John. Are there any real conservatives left in the party to understand the principles behind your well reasoned arguments? Certainly not solialist Sunak and Johnson who would, apparently, sacrifice the party and the country before contemplating conservative policies.

  25. Iago
    May 30, 2022

    More unlimited immigration this morning via university courses for students and their families. Our leaders are determined to destroy our country. Let there be no delay!

  26. Freeborn John
    May 30, 2022

    Another day goes by with no action of the Northern Ireland protocol. Do-nothing governments don’t get re-elected.

  27. Mactheknife
    May 30, 2022

    I have repeatedly written to my MP about abolishing the numerous green levies and taxes of about 25% of our energy bill. As normal he is very good with his replies, but conspicuously avoids a direct response to my question. Something close to 500 pounds off the average bill would go a long way to helping the consumer, rather than raising taxes on business. However, the PM is wedded to the god of green, and reportedly wanted Sunak to invest the windfall tax in more greenwash. We already have Renewables Obligations, Contracts for Difference, Climate Change Levy, Green Gas Levy, Feed-in-Tariffs, Warm Home Discount, Energy Company Obligation, Boiler Scheme Upgrade, Smart Meters, Domestic Renewable Incentive….and many more we have no choice but to pay.

    A recent magazine article asked the question is Conservatism now centre left. Judging by Johnsons policies, absolutely yes. Time for him to go, but Tory MP’s have no backbone.

    1. Lifelogic
      May 30, 2022

      Replaced by whom?

      1. Mactheknife
        June 1, 2022

        I’d have Sunak over Bojo anytime

  28. Sea_Warrior
    May 30, 2022

    I’m wondering if the government needs to do more to help businesses pay their energy bills. Businesses: those thingies that power the economy.

  29. Sea_Warrior
    May 30, 2022

    Shares in Harbour Energy – the biggest operator in the North Sea – have fallen in value by 25% over the past month.

    1. glen cullen
      May 30, 2022

      Would you or anybody invest in a company in which the government openly discourages and financially attacks

  30. agricola
    May 30, 2022

    Laudable though your efforts are, I do not think anyone that can do anything is listening. I see the past year as a great lost opportunity. Very sad.

  31. Ed
    May 30, 2022

    Wait until the blackouts start.
    Not if WHEN.
    All bets are off at that point.

    1. ordinary person
      May 30, 2022

      Hopefully the contingency plans ( if there still are any ) will look after sick people who are hooked up to life saving devices.

      1. A Reader
        May 31, 2022

        Can’t remember where I read the transcript of Luke’s contingency plans for Matt re old people.
        So very reassuring, contingency plans.
        Perhaps more should be published to demonstrate
        we are in safe hands.

    2. glen cullen
      May 30, 2022

      ….and its all avoidable – just cancel the green revolution, repeal the policy of net-zero and start fracking for shale gas

    3. Fedupsoutherner
      May 30, 2022

      Ed. I can’t bloody wait. It might give them the kick up the backside they all need. What a shower of something smelly the idiots are that are playing at being grown up but not succeeding.

  32. The Prangwizard
    May 30, 2022

    I hear there is speculation about possible power cuts and thus coal-fired power stations should be kept available.

    My question is where will the coal come from. Has consent been given to open the Cumbrian coal mine? Are we getting increasing output of gas from the North sea? Are we getting increasing output of oil from the North sea?

    If Boris wanted to solve our shortages he would push for opening these sources. But he doesn’t.

    Boris is delaying believing all the difficulties are short and if he stalls he will be able to get on with his insane green policies and continue the shutdown of fossil fuels. Our industries will decline and our country will ruin.

    Boris is the fountain of all our problems.

  33. Peter
    May 30, 2022

    Glen C,
    Agreed.

    The Conservative party is no longer run by conviction politicians.

    Chancers and careerists looking out for number one are in control. Johnson, Hancock, Penrick etc.

    1. Peter
      May 30, 2022

      Jenrick not Penrick.

  34. glen cullen
    May 30, 2022

    Reference the topic of Jaguar a few days ago. I had the chance to discuss the lower production/sales figures with a senior employee. He told me the production schedule was based upon the government target of 2030 and the end of ICE sales in the UK. Their planning schedule is to half production of ICE by 2024 and end production in 2026….they don’t wont to be left with any product they’re unable to sell by 2030 – this same schedule will be the same for all other vehicle manufacturers….thanks to net-zero

    1. glen cullen
      May 30, 2022

      …..and NO the planned production of EVs isn’t taking up the slack

      1. Fedupsoutherner
        May 30, 2022

        Glen. I’m not surprised. The number of cars on the roads today defies the very notion that we can all go electric. I’ve just visited family and friends in Sussex.
        None of them had charging facilities either in their home or in the street and not obvious anywhere else either. After a very fractious 254 mile drive I would not have looked forward to searching for a charging station.

  35. Mike Wilson
    May 30, 2022

    Conservatives believe that free enterprise and the market place are the right answer for the supply of many of our needs from bread and water to energy and clothes

    The only one of ‘bread and water to energy and clothes’ you have right is clothes. Food, Water and Energy are far too important to be left to the market.

  36. Everhopeful
    May 30, 2022

    Just to top it all off nicely the govt. is warning about power outages this winter.
    Speechless.

    1. glen cullen
      May 30, 2022

      The incompetence of this government and its mismanagement of the economy is mindboggling….every facet of our economy is running out of control….the Tories should be the master of the economy

  37. mancunius
    May 30, 2022

    Is the Chancellor in favour of low tax? For himself yes, for everyone else – apparently not.
    Not words count, but deeds. This administration’s fiscal deeds and statist objectives are egregiously anti-conservative.

  38. glen cullen
    May 30, 2022

    ”After rolling blackouts because of electricity shortages, the Indian Power Ministry ordered plants burning imported coal to run at full capacity, and have now reopened old coal mines to increase output by 100 million tons.”
    Whats the point of the UKs policy of net-zero ?

  39. Local Loony
    May 31, 2022

    Certain forums are run by the authorities to keep an eye on the R&L. All very honourable.
    The analysers of posts in the current climate have to ask themselves could we actually be having the wool pulled over our eyes ? Its so easy to spot by the positioning of posts, what’s left out, what’s put in.
    I’m neither R or L just fascinated by the various forums, newspaper comments , tv and radio pundits.
    It’s hugely interesting and now has become hilariously funny.

Comments are closed.