The stakes are high and neither EDF nor British Energy is blinking. But someone will eventually have to show their cards if Britain’s nuclear future is not to be compromised.

The French state-controlled electricity behemoth appears to be the only credible bidder left for British Energy. Spain’s Iberdrola finally admitted Thursday it was not interested. Suez pulled out long ago. Only Germany’s RWE is keeping quiet about its intentions. However, its chances have been severely damaged by the withdrawal of its Swedish bid partner.