Miliband’s energy price freeze might or might not be good economics – but it’s certainly good politics
The energy price issue is going to run. Cameron needs a more thought-out response pic.twitter.com/EeLkrZbjWO
— Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) October 9, 2013
Ed Miliband exposes Tory confusion over whether to attack "Marxist" energy price controls, ape them or simply call them a gimmick #pmqs
— Nick Robinson (@bbcnickrobinson) October 9, 2013
My PMQs verdict – http://t.co/8X72exW9yp – They weren't talking about Cameron's party conference speech …
— AndrewSparrow (@AndrewSparrow) October 9, 2013
Cameron needs a much better response than we saw at PMQs
Our first session of PMQs since the start of September and as the above Tweets from Nick Robinson and Andrew Sparrow show it was Miliband’s energy price freeze which was setting the agenda – something that happens very rarely for an opposition leader.
Given that this was announced in Brighton more than a fortnight ago it was surprising that Cameron and the Tories have not yet forumulated a stronger response.
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In many ways this reminds me of George Osborne’s move on inheritance tax on the Monday of the Tory conference in October 2007.
Whatever the finer details it proved to be a game-changer in terms of the political narrative – which for all of the previous three months had been totally dominated by Gordon Brown.
Even when Alastair Darling was able to announce something similar later in the month it appeared as though he was copying Osbo’s idea.
So likewise if George is able to produce his own measure on energy price in the autumn statement it will look as though it is in response to Miliband.
Mike Smithson
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