What does it take to stir folk into action? Folk, who have staggered through crisis after crisis over the past 4 or 5 years. Beginning with a supposedly “oven-ready” Brexit, Their words not mine. Then the COVID Pandemic with us locked down whilst those in power partied in No10. And now we are facing the worst cost-of-living crisis for decades.

During this time, folk seamed to put up with the eccentricities of a Prime Minister who seemed at times almost incapable of dressing himself properly. Is it any wonder then that his Government is so far up its own backside it can’t tell the difference between truth and fiction, and is certainly so far removed from reality that it has no conception as to how we ordinary mortals live?

This bunch of, in the main, over privileged, public schoolboys have been fobbing us off with excuse after excuse as they stagger from one crisis to another. They contradict each other in public and it’s become pretty obvious that one or two of them fancy the top job once the current incumbent reaches the end of his credibility.

Step forward Rishi Sunak with his plan to bring the economy back on track whilst keeping his mates in the manner they expect to enjoy. At the same time, he was doing what he felt he had to do, trying his level best to convince loyal Tory voters that the punitive measures he was taking would keep the wolf from the door in the long term.

Sure, he threw us ordinary folk a few crumbs off his table. And yes, there were a few “bits and pieces” for most people who work. But there was nothing for those who can’t work.

The 5p a litre off fuel duty will help, but it helps those with the biggest cars and the biggest fuel consumption.

The marginal cut in Income Tax promised will help everyone in work, including the super-rich. But of course, this isn’t due to come in till 2024, the year of the next General Election. Obviously hoping that we’ve all got short memories with this one.

Then there’s the small concession of the rise in the threshold of when you begin to pay National Insurance (NI). But this will hardly off-set the 1.25% hike in NI contributions which came in, on 6^th April.

All seemed fine in the bubble that is the House of Commons. Standing at the dispatch box smirking at the occupants of the opposition benches. Soaking up the encouragement from Cabinet colleagues and the waving of order papers and tub thumping from his backbenchers.

Things looked a lot different when those same MPs got back to their constituencies to find that constituents were less than happy with the meagre fair Sunak had dealt out. And where was he whilst they were fending off the complaints of their constituents? Rumour has it he’d done what all multi-millionaires would have done in his shoes, he’d jetted off in a private plane to soak up the Californian sun.

Meanwhile back at the disorganised ranch (a euphemism for No. 10). The PM was promising a world beating energy strategy the like of which has never been seen, in order to tackle the growing energy crisis.

Like all the PM’s promises the reality falls far short of the rhetoric. It fails to take the positive action needed to help those who most need help right now. It contains little or nothing to improve energy efficiency, as it does nothing to reignite major new investment to upgrade existing properties, making them easier and cheaper to heat. Instead, it has Nuclear energy as its major contributor to making us self sufficient in our energy supply in the future. But that won’t come fully on stream till 2050, and only then if it delivers on time. Projects of this nature invariably fail to be delivered on time.

The remainder of the energy security will come from solar and wind turbines the majority of which will be offshore as the Government buckles under pressure from some Tory MPs concerned about their futures due to rural community NIMBYism.

So, as with many other kneejerk reactions from this Tory Government, it’s too little, too late. People need help now, not in ten, twenty or even 30 years’ time. Millionaires in the Cabinet have no conception of the worry, concern and despair felt by so many they are supposed to be serving.

Liberal Democrats have called out Sunak’s jam tomorrow if you’re lucky Spring Mini Budget Statement and Johnson’s fudged Energy Security Strategy for what they are and have put forward actions that the Chancellor could and should take right now to help those in desperate need. Invest in making all existing homes more energy efficient and make all new homes zero carbon now. Reduce VAT to help folk put food on the table and keep their homes warm during this latest crisis. And introduce a Windfall Tax on those profiteering from recent and current crises. This help to be targeted so as the need increases, the help follows.