Local MPs react to fracking u-turn

Local MPs have reacted to the government’s decision to reinstate the moratorium on fracking.

Liz Truss had lifted the ban on drilling for shale gas the Tories implemented in 2019 as she said it would help with rising energy costs.

But the measure was not backed by many whose constituents are against fracking in their areas.

During Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, the new prime minister Rishi Sunak said he stands "by the manifesto" on fracking.

The Conservative 2019 manifesto placed a moratorium on fracking in England following seismic activity at the site at Preston New Road significantly above maximum imposed levels, after testing by energy firm, Cuadrilla.

The company were also seeking to drill for shale gas at a site at nearby Roseacre Wood.

Mr Sunak's spokesman explicitly confirmed he was reinstating the ban after PMQs.

Scott Benton, Conservative MP for Blackpool South, said: ‘’Yesterday, I sent a letter to the Prime Minister on fracking urging him to consider reinstating the ban and honouring our manifesto commitment. I also raised this with all of those running to become PM.

‘’I'm pleased to see the ban reinstated and whilst it is vital that we diversify our energy supply and ensure foreign actors cannot use energy against us in the future, there are better alternatives available.’’

Fylde’s Mark Menzies added: ‘’The moratorium was triggered by a seismic event here in Fylde that was 251 times more powerful than the industry-agreed safe limit. It has always been my view the moratorium should not be lifted, I am pleased to hear the Prime Minister is in agreement.

‘’In recent weeks I have made clear to the Government the impact fracking has had on communities here in Fylde, voiced the scale of local opposition and highlighted the fact that the science has not changed. I have been fighting hard to ensure both Parliament and local people would have a say on fracking.

‘’Today's decision goes beyond that and is one I know will be broadly welcomed here in Fylde.

‘’I will continue to work to protect our countryside and our local communities, clear in the view that Fylde's geology is entirely unsuited to the resumption of fracking.

‘’I will also push the Government on investment in our renewables and nuclear sector, supporting local jobs and energy security.

Labour’s Cat Smith, MP for Fleetwood, said: ‘’It’s obviously a huge relief to see the government position change (again!) and hopefully we won’t have fracking, but all this uncertainty raises the point we need to have a firm ban on it, a moratorium isn’t enough.’’

Ms Truss lifted the ban last month as part of her plan to limit rising energy costs but said fracking would only resume where there was local consent.

Fracking was ultimately what brought her government down after Labour tabled an opposition day motion last Wednesday calling for a draft law to ban fracking.

But the Tory party whips said the motion was actually a vote of confidence in the government and told Conservative MPs they had to vote against it or face being suspended.

However, many of them and their constituents are opposed to fracking and said they could not vote to support fracking, even if the whips saw the vote as something different.

As the vote was taking place there were accusations of "bullying" and "manhandling" of Tory MPs who were being told to vote against the motion.

The following day, Ms Truss stepped down as PM.

Ed Miliband, Labour's shadow climate and net zero secretary, said Mr Sunak voted against Labour's fracking ban last week and is now putting a moratorium on the practice.

"Whatever their latest position, the truth is that the Tories have shown that they cannot be trusted on the issue of fracking," he said.

Ms Truss had to make a number of U-turns after her chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng brought in a raft of unfunded tax cuts which unleashed economic turmoil in the UK for weeks.

The fracking ban is the first Truss policy he has reversed since he became PM on Tuesday.