[Zhang Fei]

And it’s not the government that pays for the fuel, it’s the energy companies, so it doesn’t mater that the UK has 10x more per capita income as compared to Bumf*ck, Egypt. That increased cost must ultimately be paid by the consumer. That’s the reason that the fuel poverty index exists.

My point is that as a citizen of a wealthy industrialized country, the British consumer and/or taxpayer isn't going to sweat the 10%-20% price difference.

[sergeantdave]

“My point is that as a citizen of a wealthy industrialized country, the British consumer and/or taxpayer isn’t going to sweat the 10%-20% price difference.”

You’re not paying attention.

UK weather: 31,000 people DIED of the cold last winter

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/uk-weather-31000-people-died-2852677#ixzz2ucszzqkN

If you think that death toll is something that a consumer won’t sweat, you are clueless. That’s a big deal in the UK. People dying because they can’t keep warm due to rising energy prices may cost the Tories the next election.

My point is that if Russia turns off the natural gas, governments across the EU may fall. That includes Georgia.