The frontline of the economic battlefield is energy, and there are no guarantees of how this will end.
Wars, where energy is weaponized, create significant consequences for industrialised nations. Economically implemented sanctions without investment in energy storage or understanding of the impact of sanctions on high energy users such as manufacturers create considerable uncertainty. The public discourse is almost entirely around domestic users, partly due to people like Martin Lewis and other consumer champions.
Business, on the other hand, is the engine that drives an economy. With a national debt of 2.3 trillion pounds, it seems to be a high-risk strategy to ignore this group in favour of short-term popularity with voters.
Jason Pitt said, "In a poll, I conducted last week following the domestic energy price cap, 74% of respondents said business was not getting its voice heard on energy."
Interestingly, 26% who were unsure or agreed that business was being heard were in junior positions and primarily unaffected sectors."
"There is an extraordinary knowledge gap that ordinary people have regarding how energy affects the industry."
Western nations have committed to actions without having a well-defined strategy, we've taken the moral high ground, rightly so, but we've done so in a very predictable way.
Whether the West is restricting Russia's ability to continue fighting or are inflicting sanctions on ourselves is not easy to answer.
In the Western league of nations, there are many different viewpoints, and perhaps Putin, with a more simple chain of command, does have the ability to create considerable chaos even beyond where we currently are.
One thing is clear without delving too much into politics: Industry drives economic activity. Industry drives wealth and prosperity; the reality is if you've got a population of 60m plus, then you're going to need a manufacturing capacity and, with that, a ready supply of energy.
Government would be wise indeed if they pivot towards supporting the industries who in turn support the people. There needs to be a clear and unequivocal understanding and respect for the nation's wealth creators. Let's start having debates around rebuilding British industry. Is it even possible to fight or win wars without a strong industrial sector?
From the Made Energy Club to investing in solar, we have a selection of members who can help.
Here is a selection of members, curated video contact and link to their microsites so you can connect with them.
Control Energy Costs
Liam Conway
https://controlenergycost.madeinthemidlands.com/
Ineco Energy
Angus Rose
https://inecoenergy.madeinthemidlands.com/
Pro Enviro
Deborah Green
https://proenviro.madeinthemidlands.com/
To join Made in the Midlands or Made in Yorkshire contact our membership team