I very very rarely watch terrorvision (terrestrial horror television), but I plugged in for the 30th May 2006 BBC 2 showing of "If...The Oil Runs Out" [ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/if/4989146.stm ] and despite the rather Ben Elton-ish comedy plot, the facts and figures thrown in were very helpful in understanding what is happening and what will be happening. I draw to your attention this week's news [ http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,1788535,00.html ]. Why on earth would anyone be trying to make petrol out of sand ? It takes way too much energy. Anyway...After the oily facts, I just couldn't move from the sofa, so I was channel hopping and landed on...the BBC Parliament Channel. Oh. My. Word. Helena Kennedy QC was introducing the "Power to the People" inquiry from 6th May, and since I am interested in local government matters, as part of my community-level thinking, regarding adaptation to Climate Change, and since HK QC is one of my heroines, and a super-Scot to boot, I lingered to watch. And lo. From the back of the Queen Elizabeth 2 Conference Centre main hall, in strode David Cameron, all open-neck in the shirt department, and soft Hollywood hair, and took, I mean marauded, the floor. He was utterly mesmerising. Quite the consummate and conditioned political speaker - and - yet - still able to punch through to some interesting ideas. He does seem to be opening up the box and trying some new tools. I do not agree with everything he is saying, or hinting at, but by Munchkin, if he applies the same thinking to energy policy and Climate Change as he does to democracy, political machinations and legal authority, the rest of Parliament should be in for a shock ! I really hope the Conservatives can get the courage to move beyond the "motor paradigm" of their little policy news snippet this week [ http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article623479.ece ]. We need to be able to have high taxes for SUV's, lower maximum speed limits, car sharing clubs with electric vehicles, emission-neutral all-territory public transport, sustainable commuting routes and car-free town centres, and not just "red light, turn left" schemes.
