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Community It's show time, all the time Despite Brenda from Bristol famously wailing about there being "too much politics going on", the fact is that we only seem to be part-way through the current series of I'm a Poli- tician, Get Me Out of Here. Theresa May hoped that a stonking majority would mean she could steamroller her own vision of Brexit through parlia- ment without regard to critics in the house or the party. In the event, a hung parliament finds her "in office but not in power" (to quote Norman Lamont's famous jibe at John Major), and having to recall Michael Gove to lend her cabinet gravitas. It's also strengthened the position of chancellor Philip Hammond, who must surely have had his bags packed before Jeremy Corbyn saved them both from political oblivion by not losing as badly as nearly everyone thought he would. It leaves David Davis in a peculiar position as Brexit talks begin. As the UK's chief nego- tiator, Davis has got to make clear to the Brussels flunkies facing him round the table exactly what it is that Britain wants, while those selfsame flunkies know Britain isn't even sure it wants him to be there. If not for the support of the DUP's 10 MPs, he wouldn't be. Brenda, the great man hates to break it to you, but there's going to a lot of politics going on for a long while yet. Infamy, infamy… In the US they superficially have the same problem – too much politics – but in reality it's like one of those American sitcoms which has exactly the same set-up for each epi- sode but nothing much ever changes. We are following the madcap adventures of reality TV star Donald Trump as he tackles the job of being US president, only it turns out to be "harder than I expected" (cue canned laughter). Like an episode of Fawlty Towers, he Tweets himself in an ever-increasing circle of ludi- crousness until the whole thing just implodes and he turns to the camera, winks, and says: "Greatest. President. Ever." The next week he starts the whole thing again. Trump's fans are vocal and dedicated. Witness the organised abuse meted out to the New York theatre company that staged a version of Shake- speare's Julius Caeser with the eponymous hero dressed as Trump. Performances were interrupted by angry protesters and sponsors have pulled out. In fact, theatres all over New York state have been on the receiving end of online abuse, including death and rape threats, simply because they are showing Shakespeare. Turns out some Trump sup- porters are in it for the bovver and are not overly bothered about doing the research. Who knew? Musical thrones Disconnector was much taken with the story of the Swedish council that is to consider a motion to play music in the town's school toilets, to help pupils worried about embar- rassing noises. Councillor Cecilia Cato, in the town of Tingsryd, raised the musical solution in a proposal to the council, claiming that kids' non-use of the school lavs was a real problem."I don't think it's just about number two on the toilet, but many also don't do number one," Ms Cato told a local newspaper. The local authority will now take a vote on her suggestion. The great man can't help but feel that this a First World problem – nearly one billion people in the world don't have access to a toilet and have to do their business outdoors. Perhaps the children of Tingsryd should be encouraged to lighten up. Disconnector Editor, Utility Week, and content director, Utilities: Ellen Bennett, t: 01342 332084, e: ellenbennett@fav-house.com; Deputy editor: Jane Gray, t: 01342 332087, e: janegray@ fav-house.com; Insights editor: Mathew Beech, t: 01342 332082, e: mathewbeech@fav-house. com; Features editor: Lois Vallely, t: 01342 332080, e: loisvallely@fav-house.com; Senior reporter: Tom Grimwood, t: 01342 332061, e: tomgrimwood@fav-house.com; Reporter: Josh Downes, t: 01342 332102, e: joshdownes@fav-house.com; Policy correspondent: David Blackman, e: davidblackman@fav-house.com; Business development manager: Kevin Pearce, t: 01342 332116, e; kevinpearce@fav-house.com; Conference sponsorship manager: Sophie Abbott, t: 01342 332062, e; sophieabbott@fav-house.com; Publisher: Amanda Barnes, e: amandabarnes@ fav-house.com. General enquiries: 01342 332000; Membership enquiries: Peter Bissell, t: 01342 332057, e: peterbissell@fav-house.com. ISSN: 1356-5532. Registered as a newspaper at the Post Office. Printed by: Buxton Press, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 6AE. Published by: Faversham House Ltd, Windsor Court, Wood Street, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1UZ 3,580 Average circulation Jan–Dec 2015 Membership subscriptions: UK £669 per year. Overseas £781 per year. Contact Peter Bissell on: 01342 332057 Utility Week is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (which regulates the UK's magazine and newspaper industry). We abide by the Editors' Code of Practice and are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism. If you think that we have not met those standards and want to make a complaint please contact the editor, Ellen Bennett, at ellenbennett@fav-house.com. If we are unable to resolve your complaint, or if you would like more information about IPSO or the Editors' Code, contact IPSO on 0300 123 2220 or visit www.ipso.co.uk Matt Drinkwater @matt_h2o Centrica is closing down Rough, the UK's largest gas storage facility. Means the UK likely will be more dependent on imports in winter Jim Watson @watsonjim2 Might be uneconomic for Centrica, but what about UK gas security? Less storage could mean less resilience when something goes wrong Dustin Benton @dustin_benton 70% of UK gas storage set to shut. Will this change UK gov't stance on the internal energy market? #Brexit Richard Howard @RichardHowardPX Does this affect case for Govt intervention in gas storage? Not keen to intervene in the past The ADE @theADEuk Today's decision on #embeddedbenefits will directly undermine Government's industrial strategy and #smartenergy ambitions. Richard Black @_richardblack Can we expect another spate of "Blackout Britain" stories now the Big 6 Embedded Generation lobbying has succeeded? Tom Steward @Steward_T Incredible! ~12GW of #solar capacity has been installed in GB in 7 years - equivalent to a decent solar farm every single day. Ann Robinson @AnnRobinson8 Given DUP dont believe in climate change it is unlikely that anything much on energy will feature in Queens Speech but still hope for a cap. Robert Ede @Whitehouse_NRG BEIS source has confirmed it will be "challenging" to release the Clean Growth Plan before summer recess (20 July). The wait continues… Top Tweets UTILITY WEEK | 23RD - 29TH JUNE 2017 | 31