Sefton Central MP, Bill Esterson welcomed Labour’s Shadow Climate Change Minister to support the For

Shadow Climate Change Minister Barry Gardiner met campaigners at Altcar Moss, the site of proposed fracking by Aurora. The visit was at the invitation of West Lancashire MP, Rosie Cooper, who represents Altcar. Campaigners from West Lancashire and from nearby Formby attended to hear Barry Gardiner explain Labour’s policy of banning fracking when next in government.

Bill Esterson said, “Residents in Formby have told me of their concerns about fracking at Altcar Moss. I also know from Liz Savage, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate in Southport that people in Ainsdale and across Southport feel the same. While tests were being carried out at Altcar Moss, residents noticed their homes shaking and it is no wonder that they are worried about the impact of fracking near to Formby as the drilling would go under their homes. There are question marks about the impact of fracking on the local environment. But there are also much bigger concerns about the Conservatives’ commitment to fracking, at a time when we need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

“The next Labour government will ban fracking because of the question marks over the impact of fracking locally but also because of our concerns about climate change. Labour will invest in renewable energy. Our Liverpool City Region Mayor, Steve Rotheram is committed to supporting renewable energy now, so that the city region can be self-sufficient in renewable energy. The government should be doing the same. But what we see is the Conservatives in London cutting support for tidal energy technology and giving incentives to fracking companies. If we are serious about tackling climate change and protecting future generations and our planet, we need to make dramatic changes to how we generate energy now. That’s why Labour is committed to a ban on fracking and replacing fossil fuels with wind. Solar, tidal and low carbon approaches.

Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate in Southport, Liz Savage, said, “I was very pleased to join Barry Gardiner at Altcar Moss and to hear his commitment to a ban on fracking. This is a problem that is sadly getting uncomfortably close to Southport and we must resist this push by fracking business interests and the Tories which is to the detriment of local communities and our real energy needs. ”

Bill Esterson MP added, “Clearly Labour needs to win the election to introduce the ban but it is only right that we let the fracking companies know now that if they invest in fracking under the Conservatives, then it is at their own risk. It is vital that we encourage investment in renewable energy for the good of the environment. But renewable technology also provides an exciting opportunity to create new jobs. It is very important that jobs in oil and gas are replaced with new jobs in wind, solar and tidal energy. I therefore totally support what Barry Gardiner said today about encouraging the renewable energy companies to work with the trade unions so that their members can continue to have good, well paid jobs in the energy sector.

”The fact that the Conservatives allow local objections to windfarms but treat fracking as national infrastructure speaks volumes for their reckless attitude to the very real and urgent threat presented by climate change. The only sensible way forward is to change to renewable energy and technologies like carbon capture and storage as a matter of priority. Fracking in Formby and across the UK is simply not the answer.”

Sefton Central Labour MP, Bill Esterson is pictured with West Lancashire Labour MP, Rosie Cooper, Southport Labour Parliamentary Candidate, Liz Savage and Shadow Climate Change Minister, Barry Gardiner, along with Moss Alliance anti-fracking campaigners at Altcar Moss, near Formby.