Comments on: A heated debate

By: Andrew Bartlett

Andrew Bartlett — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:05:13 +0000

“Yes. One is Digby Jones whose chosen steed is a part time call centre worker.”

What does the part time call centre worker do with the rest of his time? Train to be Britain’s Strongest Man? Jones fits the mould of the fat capitalist. It’s a big mould, but he fits it.

By: Joe Otten

Joe Otten — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 21:15:28 +0000

Can anybody explain to me why energy companies are expected to promote energy efficiency? It is not just this government but other parties and other countries too. But surely the incentives are all wrong? Surely energy companies are the only agency that shouldn't be promoting energy efficiency. Joe Otten's latest blog post... The perils of genetics

By: mitch

mitch — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 08:30:21 +0000

Why does the PM feel the need to announce every little thing? this pathetic measure should have been announced by a minister or even a junior.This is gordons problem no big ideas just tinkering no broad strokes about wasting energy just fiddly details and no real money.

By: Colin Campbell

Colin Campbell — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:27:02 +0000

The Labor Government in Australia did a clever trick like this. They means tested their solar rebate for houses so that the people who cannot afford the investment can qualify. The State Government did the same thing with solar hot water rebates, making it eligible to low income earners and pensioners. Pay back about 5 years, but a big chunk for people struggling as it is. Colin Campbell's latest blog post... Man Uses Hedgehog as Weapon Faces Jail

By: Justin

Justin — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:03:00 +0000

Why is anybody surprised?

I’m not. I’m misanthropically weary.

By: Justin

Justin — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:46:52 +0000

Yes. One is Digby Jones whose chosen steed is a part time call centre worker. The other is the chairman of British Gas who is being borne aloft by a group of cabinet ministers.

By: Dunc

Dunc — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:19:53 +0000

I’m constantly perplexed by this issue at the moment. The energy companies are publicly traded corporations. Their sole purpose in existence is to make as much profit as (in)humanly possible. They have a legal duty to their shareholders, and none to their customers. This was the whole fracking point of privatisation. Why is anybody surprised?

A few weeks back I saw a Metro headline to the effect that these companies should be ashamed of returning their highest ever shareholder dividends! WTF? They’re supposed to be ashamed of doing their jobs well?

If we want them to operate in the “public interest”, we’re going to have to re-nationalise them. Simple as that.

By: ejh

ejh — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:12:28 +0000

Meanwhile, outside, the wind howled. Or was it wolves? Depends. Were two riders approaching? ejh's latest blog post... But not today the struggle

By: Sim-O

Sim-O — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:35:01 +0000

there would be “no justification” for them doing so The justification is to keep their profits up. *rolls eyes* Sim-O's latest blog post... Lembit on CIF

By: CP

CP — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:28:32 +0000

Having been to Russia a few times and visited villages, that were in October freeezing….., I have to say that whilst we might be chinese later, a bit of Russian gas/blood in the veins might help us.