John McDonnell addresses 100 Women rally, Parliament Square. Photo: DrillOrDrop, 12/9/2018
The shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, told anti-fracking campaigners at a rally in Westminster that the Labour Party stood in solidarity with them. And he predicted opposition to fracking would be a key issue at the next election.
Speaking at the gathering in Parliament Square, Mr McDonnell said:
“The message from Jeremy Corbyn and myself is: You have our overwhelming support. We are here in solidarity with you.”
Mr McDonnell said:
“This is such an important issue.
“There is no way that any government can meet its climate change targets with fracking.
“We are putting the lives of our children, the lives of the next generation, at risk. This issue is at our core.”
Mr McDonnell was one of several politicians to address the rally, which saw more than 100 women from across the UK gather opposite the Houses of Parliament to demonstrate their opposition to fracking.
Many wore Suffragette costumes to mark the 100 years since some women received the right to vote in parliamentary elections.
Mr McDonnell said Labour was mobilising its movement against fracking.
“We will link and work cooperatively with other political parties like the Greens who are opposing fracking.
“We have to use every effort we can to campaign against fracking proposals. When the general election comes, this will be one of the key issues in that debate.”
Mr McDonnell said Labour had expected “significant opposition” from parts of its movement to the decision to include a ban on fracking in the party’s manifesto at the last election. But he said:
“We got overwhelming support. This is now Labour Party policy. When we get into government we will legislate accordingly.”
He said Labour was looking at policies to build human rights and climate protection into trade deals and to encourage pensions funds to invest in decarbonisation.
“This [policy] is a huge advance for the Labour Party and the Labour and trades union movement.”
Ruth George MP, at the 100 Women protest, Parliament Square. Photo: DrillOrDrop
The rally also heard from Labour MPs from constituencies in shale gas areas.
Ruth George (above), Labour MP for High Peak in Derbyshire, criticised ministers over plans to change the planning rules for shale gas developments.
A parliamentary debate earlier today heard arguments against the proposals to make non-fracking shale gas plans permitted development, without the need for planning permission. The government is also proposing to give decision-making on major shale gas production schemes to a minister on the advice of a planning inspector. (DrillOrDrop report coming soon)
Ms George said:
“The government is taking away the democratic process of planning. They will ride rough-shod over communities across the country.”
Mike Amesbury MP addresses 100 Women protest, Parliament Square. Photo: DrillOrDrop
Mike Amesbury, Labour MP for Weaver Vale in Cheshire, said:
“[Conservative MPs] are waking up to the fact that this will hurt them where it counts when it comes to the general election. They stood on a platform of driving what they see as a revolution in the shale gas industry and fracking. We need to expose them for what they are – the local cheer leaders for fracking.”
Rachel Maskell MP addresses 100 Women protest, Parliament Square. Photo: DrillOrDrop
Rachel Maskell (Labour, York Central) said the battle against fracking was not over.
“If we let this go through the damage will be clear to see. We need to keep the pressure on the government.”
Caroline Lucas MP, at the 100 Women rally, Parliament Square. Photo: DrillOrDrop
The Green Party’s Caroline Lucas described the government as cowardly for announcing consent for fracking at Cuadrilla’s Preston New Road site on the last day of parliament before the summer holiday. She told the women who protest regularly outside the site:
“You are leading the way with your inspiration. You are putting your bodies in the way of the fracking people.”
Baroness Jenny Jones at 100 Women protest, Parliament Square. Photo: DrillOrDrop
The Green Party’s peer, Baroness Jenny Jones, said the injunction granted to Cuadrilla for Preston New Road and surrounding roads “deserves to be broken”. She urged the rally:
“Please do not lose heart. It is easy to think it is impossible to shift a government or a policy.”
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Categories: Opposition
DRILL OR DROP? 
More chances of seeing pigs in the sky than Labour getting into power under their current Communist guise.
They seem to think that half a million die hard activist members equates to an overall majority in the overall voting landscape. They are doomed to come runner up for as long as Corbyn is at the helm.
I’d wager good money if a pro business candidate emerged similar to a Blair character they’d win easily. The fact Corbyn is second place with May as PM says it all.
I understand the Trade Union Congress has just voted for a moratorium on fracking, so it would seem that opposition against fracking goes way beyond the Labour membership. Plus you can add the SNP, the Green Party and the Liberal Democrats to the list of parties opposed to fracking. Also without wishing to be pedantic I suggest you look up the definition of communism because love or hate the Labour Party, it is not communist. Of course you are entitled to your opinion with regards to individual politicians. But making sweeping statements based upon inaccurate or indeed incorrect information does not help your argument.
Ahh you’ve fallen for the pretence that the SNP will physically ‘ban’ fracking! Tut tut. I have inside information from a reputable firm of solicitors here in Scotland that the SNP had secretly been in favor of fracking and their brief was to make a legal case ‘for’, this was a few years ago, 4 to be precise, a bit when the barmy brigade peaked I recall. Anyway they lost their majority and need the Greens to support them at nearly every turn. The Greens had under 30k votes at last election btw! Democracy at its finest….. Nawt!
The SNP will abstain on any vote in Westminster and maintain a ‘fake ban’ to appease the kiddies back at home!
They will open the floodgates the moment they can get their grubby little hands on the tax from fracking!
Facts speak louder than words, so keep your eyes on the continued moratorium rather than outright ban!
Why would I fall for anything but their public position? I can only go on the facts as presented and obviously have no access to confidential SNP matters. However, if your account is true, any solicitor that has passed on confidential information about a client should be disbarred. Time will tell but as time is quickly running out for fracking, in terms of climate change and as public opinion continues to strongly oppose fracking in Scotland, perhaps the SNP may never be in a position to support fracking in Scotland even if they want to.
I thought you’d be more delighted that WIW couldn’t muster 100 GBK you have surprised me how you have missed that opportunity. The only way fracking will be stopped will be through a Corbyn led government. This looks like it was generally a liberal democrats day out. They’re (Libdems) working for the tories as always, so maybe you missed that point for that reason!
Reblogged this on nearlydead.
Nearly Dead
Is this the chance of the Labour Party gaining power?
One of the most important phases of the U.K politically severing significant ties with Europe and the Labour Party in opposition spends most of its time dealing with anti semitism within its ranks
Disgrace…
JM should be careful! Policy free is much safer.
What happens if, by the next election, UK fracking has been conducted successfully and economic benefit to the country has been calculated? Might have a few industrial workers unhappy about it. Oh, I forgot. They are no longer of any interest to the Labour Party.
Not exactly a deep thinker, is he?
John Martin McDonnell voted against requiring a more extensive set of conditions be met prior to consent for hydraulic fracturing being given.
John Martin McDonnell voted against greater restrictions on hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract shale gas in National Parks, the Broads, areas of outstanding natural beauty, World Heritage sites, and near points where water is abstracted for domestic and food production purposes.
Was that back in 2015, when most politicians and parties supported fracking? Politicians like people are allowed to change their opinion and three years down the line the majority of political parties now oppose fracking.
The Labour Party issued the Exploratory Fracking Drilling Licences in 2008
The Labour Party have a track record of promising people whatever they want to hear
Jeremy Corbyn has been within miles of the Cuadrilla PNR site but has never visited
ie NO photo opportunity
2015 was the last time this was a voting issue in the Commons
What has changed with regard to Fracking since 2015 that has made John McDonnell change his mind?
Did anybody ask him?
I would like to see a recent TV appearance and the words come out of Jeremy Corbyns mouth that he is against shale gas in the U.K
looks like a lot of Baby Boomer NIMBYS, they’re not interested in the environment; just using that excuse to stop U.K GAS
Fuel poverty will never be on their minds this Winter
Local Councils are just as bad using environment as an excuse to push their NIMBY attitudes then investing £9,000,000,000 in foreign Fracking Operations to fund their Pensions
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/resolution-found-boomers_uk_5947f1fae4b0cddbb0085500
Kishney you may not be happy with some aspects of the current political landscape. Nevertheless facts are facts. I seem to recall Jeremy Corbyn has stated on a number of occasions publicly that he is opposed to fracking and has even spoken at a number of gatherings. Labour, the Lib Dems, SNP and Green Party have all made it very clear that they oppose fracking. It is irrelevant what previous governments did or did not vote for or what their policies were. Times change. I also fail to see why opponents of fracking must be baby boomers or NIMBYs, I certainly am neither.
Investments in the LGS pensions are taken by fund managers therefore you should look to the fund managers given they are responsible, you cannot accuse individual members as they do not have such powers.
With regard to fuel poverty, it is worth considering the way the current energy policy is framed, given the government is having to resort to a cap. Plus the government’s decision to allow the Rough storage facility to close has also had an impact on energy price control. Furthermore there is no evidence whatsoever that fracking would lower fuel prices, as the ASA found when they looked into the unsubstantiated claims made by Mr Cameron. Indeed many economists and even the fracking industry have stated that fracking will not lower or have a major impact on energy prices.
The current political landscape has you lot in your rightful spot – trailing the likes of me as you have always done and always will.
And in which ways do we trail the likes of you? And in which rightful spot are we lot? And who are we lot? Sorry to be rude but you have just written utter nonsense.
I appreciate it when you say you recall Jeremy Corbyn state he is against fracking. A few links would be helpful, I would like to see a recent interview on his latest opinion on camera how he views shale industry in the U.K
For me the Jeremy Corbyn opinion on Fracking timeline do not add up…
On 11 Feb 2015:
Jeremy Corbyn voted against requiring a more extensive set of conditions be met prior to consent for hydraulic fracturing being given.
On 7 Aug 2015:
Camley Street Natural Park, London, UK. 07th Aug, 2015. Labour Party leadership candidate Jeremy Corbyn launches his policies for the environment in which he says “I am against the fracking idea, I am against the development of shale gas” He says we should be dealing with our energy needs by conservation, protection and efficiency!
On 16 Dec 2015:
Jeremy Corbyn voted against greater restrictions on hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract shale gas in National Parks, the Broads, areas of outstanding natural beauty, World Heritage sites, and near points where water is abstracted for domestic and food production purposes.
It is quite clearly a contradiction of what he says in public and what he votes for…
As for your statement
It is irrelevant what previous governments did or did not vote for or what their policies were
I don’t agree as The Labour Party issuing the Licence to explore for shale gas in 2008 has been the start as to where we find ourselves today. If the Labour Party had not issued licences we wouldn’t be talking about it now…
I stated the photo looked to show people who are of the baby boomer generation and are from areas to develop shale gas…
As for investments made by Councils, the nothing to do with us it’s the fund managers who do it we don’t know what we are invested in!
Let’s look at Lancashire County Council the Home County to Cuadrilla Preston New Road site
Lancashire County Pension Fund
Fracking Investment £186,958,925.94
Fossil Fuel Investment £339,925,319.89
Pension Fund Committee
The Pension Fund Committee has overall responsibility for investment policy and monitoring overall performance. The Committee meets four times a year, and currently comprises 14 elected County Councillors, 4 representatives of the District Councils and Unitary Authorities within the Fund, 2 representatives of scheme members and a representative of the Higher and Further Education Sectors in Lancashire.
Click to access Statement%20of%20Investment%20Principles%20Appendix%20A.pdf
So the, we didn’t know doesn’t ring true…
Lancashire County Council have direct control as to what investments are made with regard to their pension scheme…
As for Rough Gas storage facility it is untrue to claim the Government allowed Rough to be closed. As you well know the decision to close Rough storage was because of its over 30 year old nature bringing about safety concerns in its wells.
We are at the mercy of spot prices when buying gas now which should be highlighted but the main point you are missing is the security of supply. We had to rely on shipments of LNG from Yamal Russia into Milford Haven during the Beast from the East.
With the impending closing of all coal power stations in the next few years we will not be able to fall back on the coal power at times of need.
A practical approach should be our direction into the future not just for today but years in advance when electric vehicles are the majority vehicle on the road (CNG Trucks) in the U.K and petrol and diesel are out of the energy mix. Bringing about a much greater draw on the enrgy grid with Gas as the base load supplier
renewables alone cannot be the 100% energy supplier to the U.K as times of high pressure weather be it in Summer or Winter can cause windless conditions for weeks as we experienced earlier this Summer. Cold Winter Months with little daylight giving rise to low solar power. Battery banks are designed and built for minutes or hours of power, certainly not days.
As for Nuclear, this expensive option is not the best partner for renewables. It takes 24 hours for Nuclear plats to reach 100% output.
It takes 2 hours for Gas CCGT to reach 100% Output…
With our every decreasing production of gas in the U.K and greater demand for gas from foreign shores, politically or financially a new indigenous source of natural gas is not a wish list entry it is a resounding necessity as soon as possible
Gas Plus Renewables is the U.K Energy Mix answer…
Kisheny. I was one of those who attended last Wednesday’s Women in White demonstration in London. I can put your mind at rest on the subject of fuel poverty and fracking. One of the speakers was from The Fuel Poverty Action Group. She was quite clear that they fully support our opposition to shale gas. As you well know, the industry have admitted that shale gas will not bring down energy prices
I wonder if the tens of thousands of north sea workers made redundant and retraining for gents hairdressers etc. will be big supporters of JM in this respect?
Perhaps they feel the same way as the tens of thousands of workers made redundant in the solar industry? Perhaps they are not very big supporters of TM?
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jun/10/uk-solar-power-industry-job-losses-government-subsidy-cuts-energy-policy
Is this not the same Ms. George who was wanting trespass made a criminal offence to utilise against traveller communities, as in Ireland, earlier THIS WEEK? Goodness, she could really help Cuadrilla!
Activism is still alive and well despite the Tory dictatorships efforts to stifle it!
Anti-fracking protests operating both in London and in Lancashire where a truck surfer is defying the injunction outside the pnr Cuadrilla fracking site!
Legal actions are underway to protect our people and our Environment!
The fracking industry is indeed on it’s death bed!
Hmmm I actually think it’s all just about to go the opposite direction after that large boost of adrenaline the industry received prior to recess!
Sneaking permission for Cuadrilla to frack one well on the very last day of Parliament before the summer recess smells of cowardice to me. Now we have the proposals to sweep aside local democracy and treat a fracking site the size of two rugby pitches the same as a garden shed in planning terms. Not only that. Production scale fracking would become an NSIP which not only takes all planning decisions out of local hands but allows land for fracking to be acquired compulsorily. I wonder if farmers and land owners are aware of this.