The View from 22 — Britain’s shale gas dilemma, the ruling elite and the Queen’s Speech

Will Britain’s lack of enthusiasm for shale gas result in a collapse of the government’s whole energy policy? In this week’s Spectator cover feature, Peter Lilley writes we will soon cross this shale rubicon. The former shadow chancellor and advisor to David Cameron vigorously argues that fracking can no longer be ignored in order to make the country’s energy ends meet. On the latest View from 22 podcast, Fraser Nelson discusses Lilley’s theory with Matthew Sinclair of the Taxpayers’ Alliance and the likelihood of another Downing Street u-turn. Will Cameron radically shift the government’s energy policy in an attempt to reduce consumer prices? And can the green lobby be successfully challenged in Westminster?

Hugo Rifkind also joins to discuss his column on Britain’s ruling elite, and whether he is a member — as his detractors have suggested. What are the characteristics of a member? Is David Cameron ‘moronic’ for hiring exclusively from just such a comfortable clique? And will Ukip have any success in their efforts to bring down elite groupings? Plus, James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman examine whether the Tories need their own Nigel Farage — possibly in the form of Boris Johnson — and whether this year’s Queen Speech is a product of the coalition or Ukip influence.