Kerry McCarthy Labour MP for Bristol East
We’re using our Opposition Day Debate this afternoon to push for a vote on fracking. The motion tabled by Labour calls for a bill that would give MPs a chance to ban fracking for good. It’s dangerous, expensive, and the Government has recently signalled it could be imposed on local communities without their consent.
Our response to the climate crisis cannot be to drill for more oil and gas, and neither is fracking a magic solution to the cost-of-living crisis. As the founder of Cuadrilla, the UKs biggest fracking firm says – “Even if the UK were to generate significant gas, we are not likely to see lower gas prices.”
Jacob Rees-Mogg can claim he’d allow drilling in his own back garden all he wants – there’s probably plenty of room! – but there is significant opposition on the Tory backbenches. I hope today they will put the interests of their constituents first, and back Labour’s motion.