Despite the fanfare, the energy statement will not be greeted by applause from either the energy sector or the green movement. Instead of confronting the risk seeking behaviour of some of the big oil companies, the Coalition has been transformed into cheerleaders for BP.

The only two big ideas coming out of the government are boosting nuclear energy (something the Lib Dems claim to despise) and expanding wind power. Neither stands up to much scrutiny. The Lib Dems have already compromised on nuclear power thus allowing expansion to continue. On wind power, as SERA research has shown, it does not matter what government’s say about renewable energy nationally if councils block planning decisions locally. The Tories hate wind power. At last count, over 80 per cent of applications for wind turbines heard by Conservative authorities were rejected. Hardly a recipe for success.

All of this will come to nothing unless the government can demonstrate a real understanding of what went wrong with BP in the Gulf of Mexico. The legacy of the disaster will loom large in future debates about the transition to a low carbon economy. For all the positive environmental initiatives and energy schemes given the green light by this – and previous – governments, we have still not tackled our ongoing thirst for oil.

It is not a new suggestion that disasters like that in the Gulf are likely to happen again as our thirst for oil outstrips global resources and are located in less safe parts of the world. The result will be ever riskier drilling in more dangerous and sensitive parts of the world, whether that is in Alaska, off the Falklands Islands or the Antarctic. David Cameron has been quick to jump to BP’s defence but perhaps we should expect a more reflective response from our national leaders?

The leaking pipe has barely been capped. The clean-up operation has many months still to run. BP is now into ‘crisis management’ phase attempting to move the story on by a bit of spring-cleaning in the boardroom. Yet nothing suggests that they have learnt the lessons from the crisis. I would rather have a change of policy than a change of heart. Where is the understanding and shared information about the risks of deep sea drilling? What lessons are there from how the big oil companies outsource drilling and exploration or how they manage the risk involved?

Imagine if Tony Hayward worked at the frontline instead of the boardroom: would his severance package be as great then? The iron rule of senior management dictates that the higher up your rise in the company ranks the less likely you are to sent away empty handed. Yet the government still hasn’t come up with a credible position on the environmental risk taking inherent with BP’s business model or the superstar salaries at the top end of the corporate ladder.

This isn’t about attacking big business or protecting national interests. There are much more profound questions are stake on the future development of our economy, our reliance on oil and – as this latest Boardroom twist illustrates – the growing gap between the rich and powerful and the rest of us.

Photo: TDR1 2009