Dave Gardner National polling and the result of the Gorton and Denton byelection has shown the British voters’ fury with the way in which the established political parties have damaged living standards over the past four years. Yet mainstream politicians are oddly reluctant to explain their failure, citing as one of the causes ‘the war … Continue reading The UK’s War against Russia has made it much poorer.
Energy
The Power of the European Commission
Ukraine and supply of Russian gas to Europe - part five. How the European Commission came to assume power over Europe’s foreign policy Eamon Dyas On 17 June 2025, The Guardian reported that the European Commission had unveiled plans to ban all gas imports from Russia by January 2028. The plans represent an unprecedented expansion … Continue reading The Power of the European Commission
Ukraine and Russian energy—Part Four
The European Commission’s Failure to Serve Europe’s Energy Needs Eamon Dyas The US marshalled and directed the events of 2014 in Ukraine in order to scotch the prospect of a Russian-friendly Ukrainian government re-emerging. The US did that as part of a strategy to prevent, or at least, impair, the evolving relationship between Europe and … Continue reading Ukraine and Russian energy—Part Four
The United States policy towards Europe’s energy needs
Part One — an early experience Eamon Dyas The way in which Europe is currently committing a slow economic suicide in the wake of what is effectively a US geopolitical exercise in Ukraine stands in marked contrast with what happened in 1981-82. The more robust stance adopted by Europe at that time promised the possibility of an independent Europe … Continue reading The United States policy towards Europe’s energy needs
Sharon Graham on Net Zero
No Ban without a Plan Sharon Graham: We can’t sit back and allow oil and gas workers to become the miners of net zero https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/opinion/5902396/sharon-graham-oil-gas-unite-opinion/ Put simply: the transition to net zero will only work if we put jobs at its very heart. The current plan is too vague, writes Unite's general secretary. When Margaret … Continue reading Sharon Graham on Net Zero
LNG Tankers and Speculation
The markets and speculation: the case of LNG trading Eamon Dyas More than 35 vessels laden with LNG (Liquid Natural Gas) were drifting around the Mediterranean in October. The explanation I read was the limited landing slots in Spain. I suspect the reason is a combination of inadequate landing facilities and shippers taking advantage of this … Continue reading LNG Tankers and Speculation
Electricity in France and the UK
Price of electricity in France and England By Froggy I wanted to find out why my electricity bill here in England is so much higher than that of my relatives in France. Take for example my bill for period ending 31 May 2022: it charges me 29.332p/kWh (= 0.3 euro); my sister’s bill charges her for … Continue reading Electricity in France and the UK
The Energy Debate —Parliament Notes
Debate on Energy 8 September 2022, House of Commons https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2022-09-08/debates/6911DA71-90B4-466D-8B51-DF427AB29B53/UKEnergyCosts The Prime Minister Liz Truss started the Debate by laying out the measures taken to help households and businesses to bear the cost of risen electricity bills. She then said the aim was to make Britain more self sufficient in energy, in particular by building small … Continue reading The Energy Debate —Parliament Notes
The Mini-Budget — Parliament Notes
Text of the mini-budget by Kwasi Kwarteng, called ‘The Growth Plan’ in Hansard, which caused great excitement as well as a drop in the value of the pound, and is already being watered down. See editorial for comment. https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/the-growth-plan-2022-speech Mr Speaker, Let me start directly with the issue most worrying the British people – the cost … Continue reading The Mini-Budget — Parliament Notes
Labour Affairs 