Welcome to this week’s Easter round up of UK politics. Climate change, gender identity, industrial policy and local government finances are leavened by one of the most ridiculous political corruption scandals of recent years.

Climate Policy Clash: Miliband v Farage
UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband criticised Reform UK’s Nigel Farage and the Conservative Party for spreading “nonsense and lies” about the UK’s net zero policies, accusing them of blaming climate initiatives for industrial decline like that of British Steel. Miliband emphasised that abandoning net zero goals could risk climate breakdown and the loss of clean energy jobs, trying to frame climate action as both economically and strategically vital for the UK’s future. 

Reform UK’s Rising Influence
Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party is gaining traction ahead of local elections, fielding 1,600 candidates and appealing to working-class voters with promises of reindustrialisation and (in some ways surprising) nationalisation of key sectors. Farage’s blend of anti-immigration rhetoric and economic simplifications is resonating with disillusioned voters, posing a significant challenge to both Labour and the Conservatives. 

Supreme Court Ruling on Gender Definitions
The UK Supreme Court ruled that terms like “woman” and “sex” in the 2010 Equality Act refer to biological sex. This decision has sparked debate (understatement), with some public bodies rushing to adjust policies accordingly. The Equality and Human Rights Commission immediately announced plans to issue new guidance by summer to clarify the implications of this ruling. 

Government Intervenes in British Steel
In response to the potential closure of the Scunthorpe steelworks, the UK government enacted emergency legislation to take control of British Steel. This move aims to preserve jobs and maintain the country’s industrial capabilities. 

Betting Scandal Among Politicians
A former Conservative MP and 14 others have been charged over bets placed on the timing of the 2024 UK election. The Gambling Commission investigation highlighted concerns about insider information and ethical conduct among public officials.

Birmingham Bin Strike Continues
Refuse workers in Birmingham have rejected the latest pay offer, prolonging a month-long strike that has led to literally mounting rubbish in the city. The government has called in military planners to assist in managing the situation. 

Thanks so much for reading.
Check out our insta: @theworldofukpolitics


One response to “The Week in UK Politics #2”

  1. longsummer avatar
    longsummer

    Ed Miliband seems to forget the crucial impact of high energy costs on what remains of the UK’s manufacturing base. The weird and absurd fact that the UK’s wholesale energy costs are set by natural gas generation because the UK uses gas to meet short-term fluctuations in grid demand for electricity makes all UK electricity pricing significantly higher than even European competitors. So even while Miliband’s crazed rush to “net zero” builds capacity in renewables and accumulates all the new costs of the infrastructure required to support offshore and onshore wind, solar and renewed nuclear development, the current tariff for electricity supply for UK industrial users is simply non-competitive internationally because it is set by the marginal cost of gas generation.

    If the rush to net zero is not to lead to the extinction of the remaining elements of UK maufcaturing industries the price-setting mechanism needs to be changed away from the volatile. inconsistent and just plain expensive benchmark of natural gas generation costs. Unless that is fixed quickly there won’t be any UK industry to “save” – one fears that that would suit Miliband and his net zero obsessives as that will make achieving that objective considerably easier. It’s such a circular argument. Of course if the UK actually does nothing, makes nothing, says nothing, it will need less energy to do so.

    Last one out turn out the lights please.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *