Editing Ed Davey (section)

===Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (2012–2015)===
[[File:Prime Minister of Japan (13895756480).jpg|left|thumb|Davey as Energy Secretary (right) with Prime Minister of Japan [[Shinzō Abe]], 2014]]
[[File:Rt Hon Edward Davey MP, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, UK (7555125784).jpg|thumb|left|Davey at [[Chatham House]], 2012]]

On 3 February 2012, following the resignation of [[Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change]] [[Chris Huhne]] after his conviction of perverting the course of justice in relation to speeding offences, Davey was appointed Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, and was appointed to the [[Privy Council (United Kingdom)|Privy Council]] on 8 February.<ref>Court Circular for 8 February 2012.</ref> As Secretary of State, Davey also became a member of the [[National Security Council (United Kingdom)|National Security Council]]. In late 2012, the ''[[Daily Mail]]'' published an article questioning Davey's loyalty to Clegg. Responding in an interview, Davey rejected the claims of the article, saying instead he thought Clegg was "the best leader" the Liberal Democrats had ever had and that he personally was a member of Clegg's "[[Praetorian Guard]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.channel4.com/news/ed-davey-denies-he-is-after-cleggs-job|title=Ed Davey denies he is after Clegg's job|last=Rigby|first=Jennifer|date=23 September 2012|work=Channel 4 News|access-date=18 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201080943/https://www.channel4.com/news/ed-davey-denies-he-is-after-cleggs-job|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2013, Davey set up the Green Growth Group, bringing together environmental and climate ministers from across the [[European Union]] in an effort to promote growth, investment in renewable and [[nuclear power|nuclear energy]], liberalisation of the European energy market, a global [[carbon market]], trade in energy, [[Carbon capture and storage|carbon capture]] technology, [[Efficient energy use|energy efficiency]], and competition.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{cite book|title=Rescuing EU emissions trading: the climate policy flagship|last=Wettestad|first=Jørgen|others=Jevnaker, Torbjørg|isbn=9781137566744|location=London|oclc=950884581|date = 25 May 2016}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{cite book|title=Energy transformation : an opportunity for Europe|last=Claude|first=Turmes|others=Zeitoun, Jérémie|isbn=9781785902574|location=London|oclc=996422652|year = 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/green-growth-group-ministers-statement-on-2030-energy-climate-policy-framework|title=Green Growth Group Ministers' statement – next steps on the EU 2030 Climate and Energy Policy Framework – GOV.UK|website=GOV.UK|access-date=10 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210071758/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/green-growth-group-ministers-statement-on-2030-energy-climate-policy-framework|archive-date=10 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>https://www.ippr.org/files/images/media/files/event/2014/02/speech-Davey-as-delivered_140213.pdf {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719233245/https://www.ippr.org/files/images/media/files/event/2014/02/speech-Davey-as-delivered_140213.pdf |date=19 July 2018}} Page 3</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/edward-davey-speech-ambitious-and-flexible-europes-2030-framework-for-emissions-reduction|title=Edward Davey speech: Ambitious and Flexible – Europe's 2030 Framework for Emissions Reduction – GOV.UK|website=GOV.UK|date=18 June 2013 |access-date=10 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210123639/https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/edward-davey-speech-ambitious-and-flexible-europes-2030-framework-for-emissions-reduction|archive-date=10 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Domestically, Davey focused on increasing competition in the energy market by removing [[barriers to entry]] for smaller companies, and streamlining the [[customer switching]] process, declaring in 2013 that "competition works".<ref name=":4">{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/opening-up-the-energy-markets-speech-to-energy-uk|title=Opening up the energy markets; speech to Energy UK – GOV.UK|website=GOV.UK|date=12 November 2013 |access-date=10 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210071909/https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/opening-up-the-energy-markets-speech-to-energy-uk|archive-date=10 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24747183|title=Davey vows faster energy switching|date=31 October 2013|work=BBC News|access-date=10 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104093708/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24747183|archive-date=4 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Abroad, Davey promoted investment in the British energy sector by foreign companies from countries such as [[Japan]], [[South Korea]], and [[China]], making significant diplomatic trips to the latter two countries in order to highlight investment opportunities.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24511829|title='Massive' energy investment expected|date=13 October 2013|work=BBC News|access-date=2 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009043951/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24511829|archive-date=9 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/davey-woos-china-over-nuclear-plants-x5gcbvldkbq|title=Davey woos China over nuclear plants|last=Fortson|first=Danny|date=8 September 2013|work=The Sunday Times|access-date=2 May 2018|issn=0956-1382|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503112152/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/davey-woos-china-over-nuclear-plants-x5gcbvldkbq|archive-date=3 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/5521ad70-23a4-11e3-98a1-00144feab7de|title=Davey looks to drum up Chinese investment into Britain's future power|work=Financial Times|date=22 September 2013|access-date=2 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503113124/https://www.ft.com/content/5521ad70-23a4-11e3-98a1-00144feab7de|archive-date=3 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-minister-visits-korea-for-the-green-partnership-with-korea|title=UK Minister Visits Korea for Green Partnership with Korea|work=GOV.UK|access-date=2 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503111420/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-minister-visits-korea-for-the-green-partnership-with-korea|archive-date=3 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2013, during a BBC ''[[Newsnight]]'' segment on energy bills, Davey was asked by BBC presenter [[Jeremy Paxman]] whether or not he wore a [[Sweater|jumper]] (to stay warm) at home, to which Davey replied that he did but stressed that competition and energy efficiency were the solutions to lowering energy bills. The following day, various media outlets reported that Davey had advised for people to wear jumpers at home to save on energy bills, although he had not. The controversy then spread when Prime Minister [[David Cameron]]'s official spokesman told a reporter that people may wish to "consider" advice by charities to wrap up warmly, leading to media outlets reporting that [[10 Downing Street|Number 10]] was also suggesting wearing jumpers to cut energy bills, with the supposed suggestion being seized upon by the opposition Labour Party. Number 10 later issued a statement rebutting the media reports.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mason |first=Chris |title=Jumpergate – the story that wasn't |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24586951 |url-status=live |work=BBC News |date=18 October 2013 |access-date=13 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027134402/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24586951 |archive-date=27 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/energy-bills-jumpergate-is-unravelling-10431031|title=Energy Bills: Jumpergate Is Unravelling|publisher=Sky News|access-date=13 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215143705/https://news.sky.com/story/energy-bills-jumpergate-is-unravelling-10431031|archive-date=15 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/westminster-diary-w9h0wvnm22c|title=Westminster Diary|last=Trenenan|first=Ann|date=19 October 2013|work=[[The Times]]|access-date=13 February 2018|issn=0140-0460|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215143703/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/westminster-diary-w9h0wvnm22c|archive-date=15 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/10/18/downing-street-jumpers-energy-bills_n_4121009.html|title=No. 10 Solves Energy Bill Crisis With Jumper Idea|date=18 October 2013|work=HuffPost UK|access-date=13 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215204016/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/10/18/downing-street-jumpers-energy-bills_n_4121009.html|archive-date=15 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/household-bills/10388368/Downing-Street-People-faced-with-rising-energy-bills-should-consider-wearing-jumpers.html|title=Downing Street: People faced with rising energy bills should consider wearing jumpers|last=Swinford|first=Steven|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=18 October 2013|access-date=13 February 2018|issn=0307-1235|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215083729/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/household-bills/10388368/Downing-Street-People-faced-with-rising-energy-bills-should-consider-wearing-jumpers.html|archive-date=15 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/cut-energy-bills-putting-jumper-2468049|title=Unravelling: David Cameron left sweating as voters hit out at 'put a jumper on' energy advice|last=Hiscott|first=Graham|date=18 October 2013|work=mirror|access-date=13 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215143619/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/cut-energy-bills-putting-jumper-2468049|archive-date=15 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.channel4.com/news/government-offers-woolly-advice-in-energy-row|title=Government offers woolly advice in energy row|work=Channel 4 News|access-date=13 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215083831/https://www.channel4.com/news/government-offers-woolly-advice-in-energy-row|archive-date=15 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/donald-macintyres-sketch-rejoice-we-ve-surrendered-our-power-to-france-and-china-8895290.html|title=Donald Macintyre's Sketch: Rejoice! We've surrendered our power to|date=21 October 2013|work=The Independent|access-date=13 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215085211/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/donald-macintyres-sketch-rejoice-we-ve-surrendered-our-power-to-france-and-china-8895290.html|archive-date=15 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2014, Davey called for the [[G7]] to begin reduction of dependency on [[Russia in the European energy sector|Russian energy]] following the [[Revolution of Dignity]] and commencement of the [[Russo-Ukrainian War]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/energy/10778864/Ed-Davey-Russia-holding-world-to-ransom-over-energy.html|title=Ed Davey: Russia holding world to ransom over energy|last=Collins|first=Nick|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=22 April 2014|access-date=14 February 2018|issn=0307-1235|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215083730/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/energy/10778864/Ed-Davey-Russia-holding-world-to-ransom-over-energy.html|archive-date=15 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Davey argued the benefits of investment in [[Wind farm|onshore wind]] energy from companies such as [[Siemens]] was a key part of the push to reduce dependence on Russian energy,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/mar/25/offshore-windfarms-vital-tensions-russia-ed-davey|title=Offshore windfarms vital amid tensions with Russia, says energy secretary|last=Macalister|first=Terry|date=25 March 2014|work=The Guardian|access-date=14 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215143656/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/mar/25/offshore-windfarms-vital-tensions-russia-ed-davey|archive-date=15 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> while "more diversified supplies of gas" including [[Shale gas in the United States|from the US]] and domestic [[shale gas]] would also help.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/britain-russia-energy/uk-says-world-needs-to-cut-dependence-on-russian-gas-calls-for-g7-action-idUSL6N0NE23S20140422|title=UK says world needs to cut dependence on Russian gas, calls for G7...|date=22 April 2014|publisher=Reuters|access-date=14 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215143552/https://www.reuters.com/article/britain-russia-energy/uk-says-world-needs-to-cut-dependence-on-russian-gas-calls-for-g7-action-idUSL6N0NE23S20140422|archive-date=15 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2014 at a meeting in Rome, G7 energy ministers including Davey agreed formally to a process for reducing dependency on Russian energy; "[[Vladimir Putin|Putin]] has crossed a line", Davey declared.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-g7-russia-energy/g7-to-begin-reducing-russian-energy-dependency-ed-davey-idUKKBN0DM0WG20140506|title=G7 to begin reducing Russian energy dependency – Ed Davey|date=6 May 2014|publisher=Reuters|access-date=14 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215083932/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-g7-russia-energy/g7-to-begin-reducing-russian-energy-dependency-ed-davey-idUKKBN0DM0WG20140506|archive-date=15 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Throughout and after the coalition, Davey's ministerial career came under scrutiny from political figures and the media. On the right, Conservatives [[Nigel Lawson]] and [[Peter Lilley]] were critical of Davey's environmental stances,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/liberaldemocrats/10679703/Ed-Davey-Tory-climate-sceptics-need-to-shut-it.html|title=Ed Davey: Tory climate sceptics need to 'shut it'|last=Dominiczak|first=Peter|work=The Telegraph|date=6 March 2014|access-date=10 December 2017|issn=0307-1235|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225223416/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/liberaldemocrats/10679703/Ed-Davey-Tory-climate-sceptics-need-to-shut-it.html|archive-date=25 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.totalpolitics.com/articles/interview/nigel-lawson-rejecting-ideology|title=Nigel Lawson: Rejecting the ideology|date=1 May 2014|work=TotalPolitics.com|access-date=10 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210231826/https://www.totalpolitics.com/articles/interview/nigel-lawson-rejecting-ideology|archive-date=10 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> and he was lampooned by ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]'' sketch writer [[Michael Deacon (journalist)|Michael Deacon]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10488495/Sketch-Davey-Davey-give-me-your-answer-do.html|title=Sketch: Davey, Davey, give me your answer do|last=Deacon|first=Michael|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=2 December 2013|access-date=10 December 2017|issn=0307-1235|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225230034/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10488495/Sketch-Davey-Davey-give-me-your-answer-do.html|archive-date=25 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> He was also criticised by left-wing figures such as [[Green Party of England and Wales|Green]] MP for [[Brighton Pavilion (UK Parliament constituency)|Brighton Pavilion]] [[Caroline Lucas]] over his support of [[fracking]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2012/mar/21/ed-davey-gas|title=Ed Davey's dash for gas will not help UK meet carbon targets Caroline Lucas|last=Lucas|first=Caroline|date=21 March 2012|work=The Guardian|access-date=10 December 2017|issn=0261-3077|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210124026/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2012/mar/21/ed-davey-gas|archive-date=10 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> and by the Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] [[Ed Miliband]] for Davey's warning that Labour's price control policy would cause [[Power outage|blackouts]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/californias-blackout-could-reach-britain-under-price-cap-plan-0l7vkszxjxq|title=California's blackout could reach Britain under price cap plan|last=Webb|first=Tim|date=26 September 2013|work=[[The Times]]|access-date=10 December 2017|issn=0140-0460|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210071832/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/californias-blackout-could-reach-britain-under-price-cap-plan-0l7vkszxjxq|archive-date=10 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Luxembourgish MEP and environmentalist [[Claude Turmes]] alleged in his 2017 book ''Energy Transformation'' that Davey's Green Growth Group was actually a front for British nuclear interests.<ref name=":6" /> Conversely, Davey's promotion to the role of Energy Secretary was hailed by ''[[The Economist]]'', which viewed him favourably as a "pragmatic" and "[[free market]] liberal".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/bagehot/2012/02/britain-and-environment|title=Britain's Green-minded climate change minister resigns: why that's good for the environment|newspaper=The Economist|access-date=10 December 2017|date=3 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210123652/https://www.economist.com/blogs/bagehot/2012/02/britain-and-environment|archive-date=10 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In "The Liberal Democrats and supply-side economics", published in an issue of the [[Institute of Economic Affairs]]' ''Economic Affairs'' journal, Davey was identified as the Liberal Democrat who had achieved the most in terms of [[supply-side]] reforms.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Leunig|first=Tim|date=1 June 2012|title=The Liberal Democrats and Supply-Side Economics|journal=Economic Affairs|volume=32|issue=2|pages=17–20|doi=10.1111/j.1468-0270.2012.02149.x|s2cid=153972296|issn=1468-0270}}</ref> Conservative MP and former [[Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster]] and Minister of State for Government Policy [[Oliver Letwin]] credited Davey and his "like-minded" group of economically liberal governments as having helped to curb regulatory enthusiasm within the European Union.<ref name=":5">{{cite book|title=Hearts and minds : the battle for the Conservative Party from Thatcher to the present|last=Letwin|first=Oliver|year=2017|isbn=9781785903113|location=London|pages=176|oclc=994417960}}</ref>

Leading up to the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general election]], Davey was viewed by various sources as a potential successor to Clegg.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/lib-dem-peers-see-ed-davey-as-next-party-leader-10016103.html|title=Lib Dem peers see Ed Davey as next party leader|date=1 February 2015|work=The Independent|access-date=18 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201043413/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/lib-dem-peers-see-ed-davey-as-next-party-leader-10016103.html|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/liberaldemocrats/10107778/Is-Nick-Clegg-the-Tories-biggest-headache.html|title=Is Nick Clegg the Tories' biggest headache?|last=Martin|first=Iain|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=9 June 2013|access-date=18 November 2017|issn=0307-1235|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203032905/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/liberaldemocrats/10107778/Is-Nick-Clegg-the-Tories-biggest-headache.html|archive-date=3 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/31d61330-c74d-11e4-8e1f-00144feab7de|title=Nick Clegg's likely successor prepares to rebuild Lib Dems|work=Financial Times|date=12 March 2015|access-date=18 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180519083722/https://www.ft.com/content/31d61330-c74d-11e4-8e1f-00144feab7de|archive-date=19 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://iaindale.com/posts/2015/04/04/future-leaders-series-1-who-will-succeed-nick-clegg|title=Future Leaders Series 1: Who Will Succeed Nick Clegg?|website=iaindale.com|access-date=18 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201031548/http://iaindale.com/posts/2015/04/04/future-leaders-series-1-who-will-succeed-nick-clegg|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Political commentator [[Gary Gibbon]] speculated that due to Davey's association with the Orange Book wing of the party, the tenuousness of [[Danny Alexander]]'s parliamentary seat, and [[David Laws]]' unwillingness, the role of "heir" would naturally fall to Davey.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.channel4.com/news/by/gary-gibbon/blogs/ed-davey-the-lowdown-from-a-possible-future-lib-dem-leader|title=Ed Davey: The lowdown from a possible future Lib Dem leader|work=Channel 4 News|access-date=18 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201043458/https://www.channel4.com/news/by/gary-gibbon/blogs/ed-davey-the-lowdown-from-a-possible-future-lib-dem-leader|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.channel4.com/news/by/gary-gibbon/blogs/18186-2|title=Is Clegg anointing his heir?|work=Channel 4 News|access-date=18 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201031412/https://www.channel4.com/news/by/gary-gibbon/blogs/18186-2|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>