The impetus on energy seems to have shifted from the red and into the yellow – and remains well clear of the blue.
Labour – so successful a year ago in taking the lead in the debate – seems to be struggling to continue to sell the price freeze. Knowing it is a hard sell to the industry, shadow energy secretary Caroline Flint appealed to the sector to work with her party to make the best of it – not only for consumers but for the companies themselves as well.
But the momentum Ed Miliband built up has slipped away and the reinvigorated Liberal Democrats are making a stand.
Energy secretary Ed Davey must have got the same memo that water minister Dan Rogerson (see interview, p8) received, as he also went on the offensive.
At the Energy UK annual conference, Davey took his customary pot shots at Labour – the price freeze “would destroy the very competition that has been painstakingly built up” – but he also gave the Conservatives a not so subtle whack in the ribs.
Not only did he sing the praises of being part of Europe, stating the UK will have a more secure energy supply as a member of the EU, he also attacked the Tory hatred for onshore wind, describing “any party that takes wind off the table” as “reckless”.
A few months ago, the Lib Dems were slipping towards general election oblivion with the Tories taking all the credit for the coalition’s achievements, Labour pushing the cost of living crisis, and Ukip scooping up all the disillusioned voters. But now it seems like they are very much up for the fight.