98.3% of Warrington is covered by fracking licences

This follows on from the fracking fracas in the Houses of Parliament last night, in which a proposed Labour motion for parliamentary time on a bill to ban fracking was voted down by the Conservative party.

This, however, descended into chaos over accusations of bullying and intimidation regarding the motion being treated as a vote of confidence by the Conservative party.

In 2019 the Conservative party manifesto promised a “moratorium on fracking in England with immediate effect.” It also stated that it would not support fracking “unless the science shows categorically that it can be done safely.”

All areas covered in red are covered by Fracking Licenses (Image: Friend of the Earth)

(All areas in red are covered by fracking licenced areas. Source: Friend of the Earth)

Whilst several Conservative MPs did not vote on the issue, including Prime Minister Liz Truss, Conservative MP for Warrington South Andy Carter voted against the proposed motion against fracking.

Labour MP for Warrington North Charlotte Nichols voted for the motion. Ms. Nichols when reached out to for comment state:

“People across Warrington are firmly against fracking; we do not want its pollution, contamination and earthquakes. Constituents regularly raise it with me on the doorstep in Rixton, Woolston and areas that might be under threat. It is not a viable answer to our energy needs, will not bring energy costs down and I have consistently opposed it, as have the Labour Party nationally.

Anyone voting with the government last night has chosen their careers and their party over their constituents and the promises on which they were elected in their 2019 manifesto. It is longstanding Government policy to abstain on Opposition Day motions, not to have a three line whip to vote against with MPs physically manhandled into the lobby and threatened with the sack for voting against a policy which they have no mandate to pursue. 

I hope that the Conservatives will not be in office long enough to carry these disastrous plans out, as the public and our planet deserve better.”

Fracking has previously been a contentious topic in Warrington, with John Blaymires, chief operating officer of energy company IGas, stating that “in the north, and in Warrington, the drilling is here to stay – a lot of industries are reliant on gas for power and is it important to build on what we are doing."

From the IGas fracking protest (Image: Newsquest)

This came after protestors occupied IGas’ Woolston site in May, with protestor Gary Eckersley stating that “they should have consulted residents about it – it is not right they they did not”

Fracking has been linked with causing earthquakes, with British Geological Survey data taken during a study showing that, during a 100 day period, 54 of 88 seismic events in the UK took place at a fracking site in Lancashire. The Warrington and Halton Green Party commented on Andy Carter's vote against the bill last night stating: “

Fracking presents a clear danger to human life due to the potential contamination of the ground and waterways in the vicinity. The risk of earthquakes and earth tremors is also present. Extraction of shale gas is an extension of fossil fuel dependency which will eventually lead to the extinction of life on earth.

Andy Carter has shown scant regard for the health and wellbeing of future generations by supporting fracking. He has also shown no consideration for the people of Warrington who would have to live with the detrimental effects of fracking if it was to commence on our doorstep.

Warrington and Halton Green Party call for an immediate and permanent ban on all fracking."