I am please to hear that the Government has halted fracking for shale gas at the Preston New Road site. Fracking is environmentally destructive and as recently as August this year, the practise caused a 2.9 magnitude earthquake in the area. The Oil and Gas Authority has published a report stating that current science cannot accurately predict the size or regularity of tremors and earthquakes caused by fracking.

The Labour Party has consistently opposed fracking, because it is environmentally irresponsible, goes against local wishes, causes damage to local surroundings through earthquakes and represents an investment into yet another non-renewable, carbon dioxide generating energy source.

I have been actively involved in the fight against fracking, having attended the Preston New Road site to meet protesters and campaigners, and having drafted an amendment to a recent bill to have a moratorium on fracking. Unsurprisingly, the Conservative Party has been in favour of fracking, because short-term economic gain far outweighs long-term environmental destruction in their playbook.

It is worth noting that the Tories have not banned fracking; they have just called a temporary suspension to it. Never before have they done this, and have always opposed campaigners. Labour would call for an outright ban if in Government, because it is unjustifiable.

This is not environmental consciousness from the Tories – this is a cynical ploy immediately before a General Election to win votes in Lancashire. I am confident that the people of Lancashire and my constituency won’t forget that fracking is a Tory idea, and will continue to be. Don’t forget that Boris Johnson called fracking ‘glorious news for humanity’ in the Daily Telegraph.

The war on fracking is not won until the site has been totally decommissioned. This cheap trick is an insult to the intelligence of Lancastrians, and they won’t fall for it.