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UTILITY WEEK | 17Th - 23rd OcTObEr 2014 | 15 Policy & Regulation Dorothy Thompson, chief executive of biomass generator Drax Conference briefs "The big six haven't exactly covered themselves in glory" Caroline Flint, shadow energy secretary [Labour] "I don't agree with the Conservatives and Labour that there is this trade-off between going green and affordability." Ed Davey, energy secretary [Lib Dem] Five million number of homes Labour will make more energy efficient within ten years £100m additional funding Ed Davey announced for the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund 1 million target number of homes the Lib Dems want insulated under the Green Deal or Eco by March 2015 GOOD CONFERENCE BAD CONFERENCE Ed Davey – took ownership of Decc, still a green warrior Ed Milliband – deficit, what deficit? Eight number of words on climate change in David Cameron's keynote speech 30% market share Ed Davey wants independent suppliers to have by 2020 "There is cause for optimism on the horizon for energy" The only hint of an energy policy mut- tered in Birmingham was that shale gas was a good thing and needed to be explored more. Energy is a thorny issue for the top brass at the party to deal with. Almost a toxic one – why do you think they let the Liberal Democrats take control at the Department of Energy and Climate Change? And up in a foggy Glasgow, that is what the Lib Dems were very much all about. Taking ownership of the policies they have implemented, the impact they have had on the economy and on the energy sector. Energy secretary Ed Davey made it very clear that Decc is his department and he will do his damnedest to plough on with the low- carbon agenda despite the ongoing battle with – in particular – communities secretary (and Tory) Eric Pickles. All the Lib Dem high command are keen to tell the public what they have achieved, and they hope it will be enough to keep them in coalition – with either Labour or the Conservatives. There were some muttered questions as to why it had taken them four- and-a-half years of being the coalition whip- ping boys before they realised they had to really shout about their achievements. Part of that, as with Labour and the Con- servatives, is about trying to appeal to tra- ditional voters. For the Lib Dems, these are voters who may have gone Green. The sus- tainability agenda is something ingrained into Lib Dem party history – but something that has suffered by association with the Tories. Clegg and Davey are eager to remind that tranche of lost support that a yellow vote is still a green vote. Whether the parties have done enough to avoid a coalition – or in the Lib Dem case force a coalition – we will find out in seven months' time. Jo Swinson, consumer affairs minister [Lib Dem] Energy policy in a phrase Labour: "energy efficiency" Conservative: "avoid at all cost" Liberal Democrat: "go green" 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Lib Dem Ukip Conservative Labour Source: YouGov 1st Oct Voting intentions 24th Sep 9th Oct