The Labour party will table a binding motion today to ban fracking in the UK, another test of Liz Truss’s leadership and support from her own party.
Last month, the government announced it was lifting the moratorium on shale gas production in England to boost domestic energy sources, even though experts said it would make barely any difference to energy supplies.
The proposed vote on fracking, according to reports, is seen as a de-facto vote of no confidence in the PM, with Tory rebels planning to oppose Truss's plan to lift the ban.
Tory MPs in constituencies where the controversial oil and gas production methods might be introduced have apparently contacted the Labour Party to form a joint front to block the proposals, though reports from Westminster indicate heavy pressure is being put on these 'rebels'.
Tory MPs absolutely incredulous that they're being told they will lose the whip if they don't vote for the fracking motion which breaks the 2019 Tory manifesto.
And I don't get the impression chief whip Wendy Morton has good answers to obvious questions....
— Sam Coates Sky (@SamCoatesSky) October 19, 2022
Fracking was banned in 2019 following concerns about the environment, water supplies and earth tremors, however, the curb was lifted by Truss as she looked to respond to the recent energy crisis, with the fracking industry also calling on the government to reduce the limits on earthquakes caused by the activity.
Earlier today, it was reported that research had revealed that the UK’s only active fracking site, in Preston New Road, Lancashire, saw over 190 earthquakes over the course of 182 days between 2018 and 2019.
Citing analysis of House of Commons Library data by the Liberal Democrats, the Guardian reported that during six months of fracking activity there was at least one tremor every day.
By injecting fluid at high pressure into the rock, it can cause Earth tremors, although seismic events of this scale are considered minor and rarely felt by people.