Clashes and confusion

Only a day after David Cameron PM shocked fellow politicians and the energy sector by announcing a plan to compel suppliers to offer customers their lowest tariff, secretary of state for the Department of Energy and Climate Change, Ed Davey, yesterday told business leaders in London the Coalition would introduce an entirely different way to help consumers.

In his speech at the CBI, the Lib Dem minister said prices would come down because of increased competition in the sector, with suppliers given incentives to boost supply levels. No mention was made of the PM's surprise announcement at Wednesday's prime minister's Question Time.

He also referred to rumours of a clash with the chancellor George Osbourne over green technology subsidies, but confirmed both the Conservatives and Lib Dems were now in agreement over energy reforms due to come before the Commons in November.

Davey said: "Believe me when I say that no one would be happier to see the politics taken out of energy policy.

"What could make life easier for the energy and climate change secretary than political consensus?

"So I hear your message ... and I can say with confidence that the coalition is united behind these energy market reforms."

Commons speaker John Bercow yesterday granted shadow energy secretary Caroline Flint an urgent question on the conflicting plans. The question was taken by energy minister John Hayes. The reason given for Ed Davey's absence – his speech at the CBI. Was Mr Davey simply unwilling to defend the PM or, as a Labour source said yesterday, is this energy policy "unravelling by the minute."