As Europe swelters through yet another record-breaking heatwave, a quirky but telling image has emerged: residents in Paris and Madrid chalking their windows to block out the sun. A makeshift solution that screams desperation. It's a stark visual of a continent caught off guard.
But here in Britain, a different story is unfolding. One of quiet innovation. Our insulation industry, long the butt of jokes about chilly draughts, is suddenly the envy of Brussels.
Behind the scenes, Whitehall sources tell me the Treasury is eyeing a fresh round of grants for retrofitting. They see the political opportunity. You can practically hear the collective sigh of relief from Number 10.
This is a rare moment where the UK’s housing stock, usually a weakness, becomes a strength. The key word: resilience. While Europe scrambles, our buildings stay cooler.
It's a narrative the PM's team is already leaning into. Expect a speech soon. But there are whispers of a cabinet split.
The net-zero zealots want to accelerate the green revolution. The pragmatists, led by the Chancellor, are warning about cost. This is the real battleground.
The chalk on the windows is not just a heatwave anecdote. It's a symbol of failure. And failure in politics is a vacuum.
Someone else will fill it. The question is: who?
