Tories to face anti-fracking ambush
A CROSS-PARTY plot to stop fracking has been hatched by MPS, who will table an amendment to ban the extraction of shale gas in tomorrow’s Queen’s Speech vote.
Faisal Rashid, the Labour MP for Warrington South, is calling for the practice to stop “with immediate effect”, by tacking his proposed ban on to Boris Johnson’s legislative agenda.
The Government is facing a series of disruptive amendments on its legislative programme, ranging from refunding BBC licence fees to lowering the voting age to 16.
Meanwhile, Mr Johnson could become the first Prime Minister since 1924 to lose a vote on a Queen’s Speech.
As well as supporting the fracking amendment, Labour MPS are also expected to table an amendment calling for a “green industrial revolution to decarbonise the economy and boost economic growth”.
Caroline Lucas, the Green Party MP, is likely to propose plans for a universal basic income, proportional voting and lowering the voting age to 16.
She is also urging the Government to repeal the Health and Social Care Act 2012 to “restore a publicly provided and administered National Health Service and protect it from future trade agreements”.
A People’s Vote amendment is being tabled by Jo Swinson, the Liberal Democrat leader, who argues the public should “have the choice between the latest withdrawal agreement and remaining in the European Union”.
Hugh Gaffney, the Scottish Labour Party MP, is tabling an amendment pressuring Parliament to “reassume financial responsibility for free television licences”. Frank Field, an
Independent MP, and Labour’s Ruth George are calling on the Government to “reverse the caps” to benefits and tax credits and “enshrine a universal commitment to free access to cash across the post office network”.
No10 flatly rejected suggestions that Mr Johnson would resign if his package is voted down by MPS.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman said he would continue to press ahead with tabling the 26 Bills contained in the Queen’s Speech.
Mr Johnson is currently operating without a majority in the Commons, with just 288 MPS taking the party whip – 45 short of the number needed to ensure victory.
However there could be a glimmer of hope for the PM, as the DUP last night signalled that its 10 MPS would vote with the Government, despite earlier suggestions that it would rip up its confidence and supply deal in protest against Mr Johnson’s Brexit Bill.
The last prime minister to have his legislative programme rejected by the Commons was Stanley Baldwin, who subsequently resigned. However, under fixed-term parliaments legislation, the Queen’s Speech vote is no longer a confidence matter.