Short term populism ‘the most dangerous enemy’ facing energy, says Davey

The UK energy secretary has told MPs that short term populism ahead of the general election is the “most dangerous enemy” that the industry faces.

Giving his annual energy statement to the House of Commons on Thursday, Ed Davey said the sector still maintains a “high degree of cross-party consensus” for the vast majority of the government’s energy policies, but that it is vital for this to be maintained.

He told MPs: “That is crucial for the long term investment decisions energy infrastructure needs.”

The energy secretary highlighted Labour’s “anti-competitive” proposed price freeze; an “anti-renewables, anti-wind tendency in parts of the Conservative party”; and a “history of opposition to nuclear power” from all the main political parties as examples of where partisan differences remain.

Despite these differences, Davey called on MPs to “to cleave to the consensus we have achieved” ahead of May’s general election.

He said: “That is the best way to keep energy bills down, to keep the lights on, and to keep our pledges to our children to tackle climate change.”

Responding to the statement, shadow energy secretary Caroline Flint attacked the government’s record, saying that business and domestic consumers “aren’t satisfied with this government” due to rising energy bills.

She criticised low levels of switching and an increasing number of complaints about the sector, and that “fuel poverty is rising – not falling”.

Flint also once again slammed the government for failing to set a 2030 decarbonisation target within the Energy Act, which was passed last year.

She did state there was “one area, where there is probably greater consensus” and that is international climate change and the EU 2030 climate change package.