Late last Wednesday night, our country faced an unexpected energy crisis.

For the first time since 2011, the UK was put on alert because of dangerously low energy supplies in the national grid.

Our reliance on green energy, particularly wind power, struggled as imports from Europe dropped. Solar energy, unsurprisingly, contributed nothing during the night. There was a real risk that, if anything unexpected had happened, we could have seen power cuts like those of the 1970s.

This situation raises important questions about our national energy policy and how it directly affects our community in Farnham and Bordon, including Haslemere, Liphook, and nearby villages.

Our constituency, a mix of towns and rural areas, depends heavily on electricity. With more people working from home and fewer homes using landlines, our reliance on energy is greater than ever.

Transitioning to cleaner energy is important for future generations, but moving too quickly without proper planning risks leaving millions in the dark.

The last Government renewed oil licences in the North Sea to ensure a reliable energy supply while new technologies are developed. But I am worried the current Energy Secretary is pushing too hard for rapid change, risking more close calls like the one last week.

Locally, we face constant pressure for policies designed with cities in mind. With our green fields and farmland, it’s likely this Government will push for more solar farms and housing developments in rural areas like ours.

I’ve said before that new housing must come with the right infrastructure – this includes ensuring there is enough energy to supply these homes. Without proper investment and planning, the national grid could struggle to meet demand, leaving households to pay the price.

Winters are already tough for many people, especially during this year’s cold snap, which has brought the lowest January temperatures in 15 years. At the same time, over 18,000 people in our area have had their Winter Fuel Payments cut by this government.

This cruel decision has left some of our most vulnerable residents struggling to heat their homes during freezing weather.

While the UK’s gas supply remains stable for now, storage levels are under pressure, highlighting the need for better long-term planning.

As part of this, we must accelerate the development of small modular nuclear reactors to provide a stable and reliable energy supply in the years to come.

We have a Department for Energy Security. It’s time its Secretary of State lived up to the name.