Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins expressed his relief that pressure from campaigners, residents and political opponents had forced a government U-turn on the highly controversial policy of fracking.

Several concerned residents had contacted Toby about fracking being reintroduced after then-Prime Minister Liz Truss had outlined that she was happy for fracking to take place, if local areas ‘consented’ to the measure.

The emails and letters sent to Toby urged him to oppose fracking and vote against any government motions to reintroduce the policy.

Labour put forward a vote on fracking in the House of Commons, which was defeated by Conservative MPs using their majority to vote it down.

This vote was very contentious and the resulting controversy, including allegations of MPs being coerced in the lobbies to vote with the Government, quickened Ms Truss’ departure from office.

Toby stated “Since becoming an MP, I have met with environmental campaigners at my constituency office, and as a backbencher I signed early day motion 1303, which called on the government to implement the findings of the report on fracking by Professor Peter Styles. I have also attended numerous debates on fracking, including a Westminster Hall debate on fast-track fracking, and fracking in general. I was therefore pleased when it became Labour Party policy to ban fracking”.

He added “I had thought that, after the earthquake in Blackpool in 2019, no political party would seriously consider this policy in future. However, then-Prime Minister Liz Truss had stated that she believed fracking should be able to take place where there was ‘local consent’, essentially meaning that firms could potentially ‘bribe’ residents in some parts of our country. However, once again government policy has changed and the latest Prime Minister is now complying with Labour’s approach on this”.

Toby reassured constituents who had contacted him about fracking that he “strongly believed that we should be protecting our natural environment for future generations” and that he would continue to “keep a close eye on this matter”.