Rishi Sunak has been urged to shut down Britain’s gas network and spend billions on rolling out heat pumps, in a major intervention by the country’s infrastructure tsar.
Sir John Armitt, chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), warned that the supply of natural gas to all buildings must stop by 2050 if the UK is to hit its climate targets.
Eh? When did we decide to pass such powers over to the unelected? To the appointed, to those two and three levels removed from the electorate - or as we can call the electorate, us?
We might also wonder why everyone’s abandoned that basic lesson from the Stern Review - don’t, really don’t, try to plan all this with Wise Men in Whitehall. Set the general conditions by all means, then leave the market to sweat the details. The unelected banning us from cooking our eggs our way is detailed planning isn’t it? Rather a long way removed from any even pretence at democracy let alone economic efficiency.
At the same time we get told this:
The UK’s infrastructure needs a big cash injection, with public transport, home heating and water networks all in dire need of renewal, independent government advisers have said.
The investments, of about £30bn a year from the taxpayer and £40bn to £50bn a year from the private sector, would result in savings to the average household of at least £1,000 a year, higher economic productivity, and a better quality of life in the future, the National Infrastructure Commission said.
Eh? There are 28.2 million households in the UK. The tax bill for that investment - before we even think of the opportunity costs of the private money that could be turned to something pleasant and enjoyable like root canal work - is therefore £1,062 per household per year against the benefit of £1,000 per household per year. A number which says “Don’t!” in great big glaring letters.
The Man in Whitehall does not know best. As proven above.
At which point we do need a suggestion over what to do. Ours is abolish all of these commissions and offices and committees. The OBR, CCC, National Infrastructure, the lot. Return to a system whereby elected politicians make the decisions.
On three grounds. Firstly, their limited bandwidth will mean fewer silly ideas. Secondly, just basic freedom and liberty. Only those we directly put into office should be allowed to make such decisions over us. Thirdly and most importantly, elections would actually mean something to that freedom and liberty. Because the entire point and saving grace of the system is that we get to throw the bums out if we’re so inclined.
This is, of course, why the commissions, offices and committees exist, so that we can’t. Therefore we must get rid of the commissions, offices and committees.
Liberty requires that we the people can say no. Therefore we must be able to.