In Like Flint

Having announced operating profits of up to fourteen per cent, the energy cartel is naturally plotting a price hike of about eight per cent, although delicacy forbids a formal announcement until after the political parties have finished their various blatherfests. The cartel apparently intends to blame the rise on environmental levies, which could reduce poor Centrica's profits still further from the present pittance of £2,740 million. The shadow energy and climate change secretary, who has been rather justifiably quiet since her eminently sane stint in government, has been fulminating against Britain's Head Boy for doing what Labour would have done, viz. nothing. In the face of such overwhelming force of argument, it is just about possible that Ed Davey (not to be confused with Ed or Davey), the Deputy Conservative doormat at the relevant department, will take the coalition's customary firm and decisive action by doing a bit of urging.