# Starmer takes responsibility for ‘tough’ election results but vows to carry on

By Simon Francis — 2026-05-08

Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: “The public is exhausted and angry from a five-year-long cost of living crisis driven by energy bills.

“Now households face another significant energy bill rise this July driven by our exposure to oil and gas prices and the promised change has been slow to materialise.

“But when it comes to solving the energy crisis, what is striking is the gap between what Reform’s leadership says and what its own potential voters actually want.

“Polling shows that 58 per cent of potential Reform voters already use or want technology to cut their energy use and bills, and two thirds back wind farms and solar panels.

“The party’s new councillors must ensure they deliver what their constituents want.

“Reform’s leadership also wants to scrap the Windfall Tax, which would hand a tax break to the very firms posting record profits from this crisis.

“Energy companies generated over £26.2 billion in profits in the first three months of 2026 alone. This included around £3 billion from UK operations, which is equivalent to £102 for every household in the country.

“Giving these firms a tax break while families face rising bills in July would be indefensible.

“While it will now face fresh pressures, the government must hold the line on the popular Windfall Tax and go further and faster to tackle fuel poverty and end our over-reliance on expensive oil and gas.”

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