Labour whips have just said that MPs have voted to allow fracking under National Parks and other protected areas.
They say the result was 298 in favour and 261 against, a government majority of 37.
The vote approved the government’s Draft Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing (Protected Areas) Regulations 2015. There was no debate and currently no details on how individuals MPs voted but we’ve compiled a list of members who tweeted saying they opposed or intended to. See bottom of post for the list.
The regulations allow oil and gas companies to drill wells under National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Broads and World Heritage Sites at depths of at least 1,200m.
Some MPs opposed the passing of the regulations when they were read out in the Commons yesterday evening. Under parliamentary rules, the vote was then deferred until today, when MPs filled in paper ballot papers between 11.30am and 2pm.
U-turn
Opponents of fracking have accused the government of a U-turn by allowing fracking under protected areas.
A statement made in January 2015 promised an “outright ban” on fracking in National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
But in February, the then Energy Minister, Amber Rudd, told The Telegraph preventing fracking beneath such areas would not be practical and would unduly constrain companies.
Last month, the government made a statement that it wold ban drilling from the surface of National Parks and some other protected areas through a clause in oil and gas licences.
Risk and regulation
Opponents argue the regulations could expose many of the UK’s most fragile and treasured landscapes to noise, air and light pollution, resulting from fracking rigs being situated around the edges of protected areas.
Supporters of fracking have said existing regulations would prevent environmental damage.
Greenpeace has estimated that fracking could take place under 300 square kilometres of the North York Moors, 75 square kilometres of the Peak District and smaller areas of the South Downs, under oil and gas licences expected to be finalised this week. More details
Opponents
The following MPs tweeted to say they voted against or intended to:
Ben Bradshaw, Lab, Exeter
Thomas Brake, Lib Dem, Carshalton and Wallington
Chris Bryant, Lab, Rhondda
Doug Chapman, SNP, Dunfermline and West Fife
Tim Farron, Lib Dem, Westmorland and Lonsdale
Vicky Foxcroft, Lab, Lewisham Deptford
Kate Green, Lab, Streford and Urmston
Lilian Greenwood, Lab, Nottingham South
Andrew Gwynne, Labour, Denton and Reddish
Helen Hayes, Lab, Dulwich and West Norwood
Sharon Hodgson, Lab, Washington and Sunderland West
Stephen Kinnock, Lab, Aberavon
Caroline Lucas, Green, Brighton Pavilion
Ian Lucas, Lab, Wrexham
Callum McCaig, SNP, Aberdeen South
Connor McGinn, Lab, St Helens North
Matthew Pennycook, Lab, Greenwich
Tommy Sheppard, SNP, Edinburgh East
Andrew Smith, Lab, Oxford East
Jo Stevens, Lab, Cardiff Central
Gavin Shuker, Lab, Luton South
Jo Stevens, Lab, Cardiff Central
Alison Thewliss, SNP, Glasgow Central
Mark Williams, Lib Dem, Ceredigion
Sarah Wollaston, Con, Totnes
This morning a few MPs opposed to the regulations went on Twitter to say how they would vote.
Full list of voting available 17/12/15. Click here to find out how MPs voted
Categories: Politics
