Signalling market failure

David Cameron is falling into the trap #RedEd has laid for him, ably assisted by that national disgrace as a minister Chris Huhne.

Apparently Energy companies are to be told to ... and here its get vague, but the public are meant to hear the words reduce prices.

What he's saying is the market isn't working - either through collaboration ( legal or not ) and/or due to a failure of competition.

When we all know one of the key factors in increasing electricity prices is the green costs government has bundled onto consumers. ( #RedEd is as guilty as the disgrace Huhne in this department. )

By calling the companies together Cameron gives weight to the argument that their is a conspiracy and that markets don't work.

Its a spectacular home goal born of a lack of self confidence and very very short term thinking. Plus perhaps desperation to hide the cruel costs that mindless green fascism is putting on top of the poorest in this country.

Its a depressing sight.

Super nanny Brown threatens Iranian leader with the naughty step

Yes you'd better believe it.

And to show how serious Nanny is about her authority in the future she's getting rid of one of her last few Ballistic Subs and celebrating the extra diversity of the G20 where people will have to listen to her even less.

Your a very naughty boy Mr Ahmadinejad and if your don't do what Nanny says then she will be really cross and issue even more strong and highly serious sanctions and condemnations ( and perhaps release a few more convicted mass murders and cancel any unfortunate investigations into the cold blooded murder of a policewoman on the streets of London by a terrorist power ).

Baroness Scotland is proof that for Labour ...

• There is one rule for the plebs - and another for Labour ministers.
• Labour have no shame at all.
• Gordon Brown has no judgement.

It is only Brown's complete moral failure and weakness combined with his sense of self entitlement and arrogance that stops his doing his job as Prime Minister, upholding the honour of the country and sacking Baroness Scotland.

Labour shameless, gutless, and utterly useless.

Mean while in Basra ......

Are US forces are finally starting to take control of the situation in Basra ?

It look humiliating for the British army, and is probably a result of the lack of will and weakness of Gordon Brown.

Today we are told that US and British special forces are operating in Basra. It doesn't make the front page of the BBC's UK web site right now, which is perhaps just the way the government would like it.

I heard a British General on the radio this morning making the excuse that because the US trained the military units in Basra it was easier for them to cooperate - hence their deployment. Sounded like a face excuse saving to me.

As ever the truth is very hard to get at, but after Des Brown's admission that the abducted British Sailors (+1 iPod) were actually in international waters, the government appears to be heading for a very drawn out and humiliating retreat from Iraq.

The problem is that we need a decision - we are either there or not. If we are to be there we need appropriate forces and equipment - plus the decency to pay our troops well ( not double their taxes ) and look after the wounded as well as we can possibly do.

Personally I'm for pulling out - but if we stay it should be done properly. The current weak humiliation of sitting at Basra airport to offer target practice to Iranian backed guerillas is the worst of both worlds - and a typical weak Brown fudge.

Update: Similar conclusions appear to have been reached by the British Army - only the indecisive Gordon Brown prevents action. See Robert Fox's take here...