I've recently blogged on this issue and since posting it I've had some time to consider my opinion further. After visiting the statement-not-substance facebook group to ask for clarification about what the aims are of Compass, and those that support a windfall tax on energy and oil companies, also asking in several other blogs for a greater idea of the figures and strategy, I've come to the conclusion this is a very dangerous proposition to be supporting.

The reasons for this conclusion? Firstly, the figures...they don't add up, especially when you consider how little Compass and other supporters of this windfall tax actually talk about figures other than taking corporate profits completely out of context. Secondly, mixed messages. The call for a windfall tax is a catch-all political statement rather than a real solution, much like the everything to every person Lib Dem transport policy. And finally time-scales, if this truly is some level of mass altruism based upon a belief that only Labour (or the left) can solve the world's problems then it's missing the point of who is really going to benefit from this move at this time.

Liberal Conspiracy is helping Compass to spearhead a call for a windfall tax on energy companies. Apparently they are making far too much money and we want a piece of that pie. The article itself says...

Yet despite the billions made in profits, the energy industry spends just £50 million a year combating fuel poverty and has only agreed to raise this to £150 million a year by 2010. But every 10% increase in energy prices mean an extra 400,000 people go into fuel poverty.

I'm afraid that "we" don't all agree with this kind of thinking and feel very cautious about a windfall tax.

I've said it before, we don't need quick fixes we need absolute change in the strategy for trading energy.

So, looks like someone has joined in the debate on one of my recent articles…

There's a lot of debate in left-wing-commentaryland at the moment about electricity and gas prices, 'fuel poverty', and how these relate to the profits made by energy companies.

It's interesting how my article has been included in the "left wing" niche. Considering the only left wing aspect of my discussion is to impose state regulation if necessary on to utility companies while suggesting a *reduction* in state benefits I'm slightly bemused how it can be so easily filed as such. But I digress, on to the rest of my criticisms and acknowledgements of John B's stance. I shall at least afford him the dignity of reading his article and hope he has the integrity to try that out for himself one day.

If you were to ask me what I believe the real problem with Labour is right now, and their gloomy looking future after the recent YouGov poll, I would say that it isn't the 10p fiasco, it isn't fuel prices, it isn't energy bills, it isn't council tax, and it isn't Gordon Brown. Well, at least not individually, it's all of it all more that sums up to one whole that is of greater concern that its parts...it's perception over take home pay and just how much we're being bled dry by various different outlets of our hard earned.

So, what better for Labour and their popularity than to truly start solving this disparity, or at least to make solid and honest attempts to ensure that no-one is under any illusions that the Tories (or anyone else) are actually going to be able to manage the economy better? For me the best place to start is with our energy prices, a subject that the government clearly feel is a priority given the announcements made on the 30th of May. Don't be fooled though, if you're hoping for a cure to the ever booming gas and electricity prices then you'll be sorely disappointed by this latest official announcement.

If I were in charge what would I ask for...nay, demand? I would say that the government needs to demand reform of the pricing structure of Gas and Electricity in this country. It is quite simply like living in bizarro land to see energy companies blathering on in their adverts about how much they care about the environment and just need us (the customer) to change our ways to be eco-friendly, when their pricing structures proportionally benefit those that waste energy and can afford to do so. It is this proportionality of value for energy that is so irking.

If you'd like to read more about my issues with energy pricing structures and what I would like to see happen in the future, please read on by following the link below!

All in all I don't think that the budget we witnessed today was especially ground breaking. Commentators have already said about how most of it was expected and about the tone, my only interest is what the effects mean for people in the long run. Personally I don't think it is as bad as it could have been but it's certainly not favourable, certainly some of the "positives" are barely positives at all in more historical context and it's not within me to congratulate people for offering piecemeal as if it is a huge concession.

Can I just say... HALLELUJAH! If there is a god then they have obviously heard our collective prayers because today's PMQs was far beyond head and shoulders above the rest of the recent events

The reason for this seems to be partly down to a slight reduction in the heckling, but in reality I believe it to be because of as much as half the amount of planted Labour questions, real issues being discussed, and perhaps through a lack of pressure a Prime Minister that actually answered questions better without the constant need to attack "the party opposite"