Lancashire's Fracking Controversy: Reform UK Council Stands Firm Against Ban Calls

In a contentious move, the Reform-led Lancashire County Council has refused a call to permanently ban fracking, raising eyebrows among local residents. This decision follows a motion presented by the Labour group leader, Mark Clifford, which highlighted public concerns over comments made by Reform UK’s deputy leader, Richard Tice MP, advocating for the lifting of fracking restrictions. The council’s stance comes after a moratorium on fracking was effectively implemented in 2019 due to a series of earthquakes linked to drilling activities at the Preston New Road site in Fylde.

During a recent council meeting, members voted on an amended motion proposed by Reform UK County Councillor Joel Tetlow. The amendment cleverly replaced ‘fracking’ with ‘extracting shale gas’ and called for the continuation of the moratorium, coupled with an independent review of the country’s domestic energy sources. Clifford criticized the amendment, stating, “There was nothing to amend; it was ridiculous. The people of Lancashire have already spoken. We do not want fracking in Lancashire.”

In response, Reform UK’s council leader, Stephen Atkinson, dismissed the original motion as a political tactic aimed at inciting fear among citizens. He argued that the council’s intention is to remain pragmatic about the future of energy extraction in light of emerging technologies, asserting that any future actions would be guided by scientific evidence to ensure safety. As the debate continues, the backdrop of energy policy changes, including anticipated legislation from Energy Secretary Ed Miliband to enforce a permanent ban on fracking for shale gas in England, adds urgency to the discussion surrounding Lancashire’s energy future.