Referendum system needed to protect communities from fracking

North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan called for a local referendum system to be put in place to safeguard local communities from fracking in case the Government makes another U-turn on the drilling.

Speaking in a debate she led in Parliament, the Lib Dem MP urged the Government to change the law to give local people a direct say on fracking plans in their area.

Helen, the Lib Dem Levelling Up Spokesperson, secured cross-party support for her Westminster Hall debate but was disappointed that no Conservative backbenchers turned up to support making the ban on fracking ‘U-turn proof’.

Helen said that the referendum and consent process should be paid for by the company wanting to drill into the countryside and highlighted the huge opposition to previous drilling plans at Dudleston Heath in North Shropshire.

Helen told the debate, “If the Conservatives refuse to impose an outright ban on fracking, then a valid consent process must be put in place now to protect local communities in the event that the current moratorium is lifted in the future.

“I'd like to propose a local referendum process, not just for those living in the area covered by the fracking licence, but also for those people living in the surrounding impact zone.”

A current licence covers a small area of North Shropshire and a large area of Cheshire which could be drilled if the moratorium is lifted. Market Drayton and Whitchurch are included in the wider impact zone of that licence area.

Helen explained, “Fracking simply won't bring down our energy bills. If we're to address the energy problems this country faces, we must rapidly invest in renewable energy sources.

“Given that the Conservative moratorium has been demonstrated to be fragile and temporary in nature, and that the Prime Minister pledged to overturn it in the summer leadership campaign, and that Conservative MPs voted in favour of lifting it only a month ago, it's essential that a watertight process of local consent is put in place.

“If Conservative MPs won't pledge to honour their manifesto commitment and keep the ban on fracking, we must safeguard our communities from this unnecessary, disruptive and dangerous practice.”