You report that the Tories at the moment are in “disarray” over their response to the power disaster (Tories in disarray over energy crisis as Truss urged to spell out plans to help, 26 August). On studying this, I discovered myself reflecting on the frenzy of media and public hostility to the socialist insurance policies of the would-be Corbyn authorities within the run-up to the 2019 election: nationalisation of important utilities (water and power come to thoughts), provision of much-needed funding for care and the NHS (now on its knees), a constructing programme of much-needed actually inexpensive housing.
I’m wondering how many individuals who have been persuaded that these socialist proposals have been an affront to their liberty at the moment are wishing that they had a possibility of a rerun. I for one could be delighted to see a authorities in energy now that may certainly help “the numerous, not the few”, versus a corrupt and self-seeking shambles of a authorities who’re solely inquisitive about seeing increasingly more wealth accruing to the few.
Dr Fiona McMillan
Spaxton, Somerset
The chancellor of the exchequer, Nadim Zahawi, says: “The truth is that we should always all have a look at our power consumption. It’s a tough time.” I’d identical to to remind your readers that Zahawi has an estimated wealth of up to £100m, and is so involved about power consumption that he as soon as claimed taxpayers’ cash in bills to warmth the stables for his little horsies (though he later said that this was a mistake and that he would repay the cash).
When you consider in any means that he consists of himself within the “we” in that assertion about power consumption, or that this time can be in any respect tough for him, you may be on this pleasant backyard bridge I’ve on the market, just one earlier proprietor.
Iain Rowan
Sunderland
Might you please be meticulous in making certain that language corresponding to Liz Truss’s favorite time period “handouts” is ready inside citation marks when referring to folks’s entitlements or the federal government’s obligations? Not too long ago, with growing frequency, “handouts” seems with out citation marks (Rising energy bills put millions of UK households at risk of winter catastrophe, 26 August; These are energy bills many Britons simply can’t afford. Some will pay with their lives, 26 August).
Our social contract requires our authorities to help folks in arduous instances. It is a responsibility, not “handouts”. One of many many worrying issues concerning the present Conservative management marketing campaign is that the in depth media protection of it dangers making some very rightwing concepts look like the brand new regular, tilting frequent parlance to the proper. The Guardian shouldn’t allow this.
Marcia Saunders
London
The federal government is probably going to present monetary help to assist folks to pay their payments. Good. However the place does this cash come from and the place does it go? It comes, in fact, from the taxpayer, and it goes to the power firms – so their large income are subsidised by us.
The answer absolutely is to not give in to those firms, however stand as much as them – because the French are doing. Liz Truss says she is in opposition to handouts – however isn’t she proposing the most important handouts in historical past to those privatised firms?
Leonard Freeman
Cambridge
You be aware what may occur in a super world in respect of power costs (Editorial, 26 August). In such a world, socialist relatively than capitalist priorities would apply and folks would come earlier than revenue. Nonetheless, earlier than we get there, an ethical economic system – a preferred apply within the 18th century, the place there are truthful costs and simply wages – could be a step ahead.
Keith Flett
London
