Are you Heating or Eating?

Sir John Major challenged ministers to exercise a windfall tax this winter on energy companies’ profits to protect the neediest in society. He thought the Government would have to step in to choose between heating their homes or putting food into theirs and their families mouths. He said that the Government needs to reconnect with the North of England, who have been pushed out to the political periphery, as well as the people living on council estates, who have been demonized by politicians and the media that they feel their opinion counts for nothing. 

I find it extremely ironic and audacious that David Cameron has the cheek to tell people just to "put on an extra jumper", when he is trying to give MPs a 11% pay rise. When has he had to worry about choosing between eating or heating? His father was a big stockbroker in London and his grandfather was Sir William Mount, 2nd Baronet. He has no idea. 

I completely agree with John Major when he said “It is not acceptable to me, it ought not to be acceptable to anyone, that many people are going to have to choose between keeping warm and eating.” 

This isn't an exaggeration; people will DIE if they have to choose between heating or eating. 24,000 people died last year due to the cold in their homes. The shocking toll will increase fears that the number will be even higher this year because of further increases in energy bills and warnings of a particularly cold winter.

The only problem I have with John Major's outburst is that he was once Prime Minister, why didn't he do anything? He talked about Lloyd George ideal about making "homes fit for heroes". I'm pretty sure Lloyd George was a bit before his time, it is very easy for him to say it now when he doesn't have the responsibility. 

 To be brutally honest, many MP are completely out of touch with people outside their Eton-Oxford lifestyle, they just do not understand the challenges that others face due to the cold winter and the energy crises.