All good points you raise tgn, but the landscape (pls excuse the pun) is what it is.
The U.K. is a country steeped in tradition, democratic rights and governance, that has been developed and introduced as law over a very long time. Change, in any form and in any industry takes time for acceptance by the people.
It may be so that the laws developed by the U.K. are, in the case of shale exploration, proving to slow down progress as we see it, people of the U.K. whether for or against have the democratic right to be heard, but my view is that the government, elected by the people (as is the case in any Westminster system) have a procedural obligation to acknowledge everyone's views before making decisions.
Thankfully for common sense, and in caring for our planet's future the current government have very clearly stated their road map plan for the U.K's future energy security, but such a plan will take time for all to absorb.
Yes the anti's are out there beating merry hell with a big stick, spreading falsehoods, and using their scaremongering tactics, but talk is cheap. There will always be those gullible enough to believe the crap that this side sprout off, but it's what is happening in the corridors of power that will determine an outcome, but I firmly believe the "shale" can has been kicked too far down the road for this government to now abandon it's development.
Recent articles published quoting the new P.M.'s views should very clearly identify for everyone what energy development road they will take, it's just the need to be seen to be doing it in properly that takes time.
As bohara says, this phenomenon called shale will take time, but once it has been developed and shown to be safe and economical there will be almost total acceptance of its benefits and worth. Every day gone is a day closer to decision day
AJL Price at posting:
32.0¢ Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held
