Governments do not get to choose the weather, but that does not mean they are at the mercy of the elements. The hardship that would be caused by a cold winter is foreseeable. Shortages of energy are not predestined, but it is reasonable to warn the public of the disruptions to supply, as National Grid has done. The company has raised the prospect of three-hour blackouts. It is not the likeliest scenario, but a feasible one if demand for gas outstrips supplies from the rest of Europe.
Liz Truss does not want to be the prime minister who imposed energy rationing, and appears to favour denial as the method to avoid it happening. She does not flatly rule out any prospect of shortages, but she belittles the risk by refusing to engage with it candidly.
