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From The Socialist newspaper, 12 October 2016
Tories undemocratically overrule council
Say no to fracking!
Nationalise and invest in renewable energy
The Tories' approval for new fracking in the UK is a watershed decision, photo by John McSporran (Creative Commons) (Click to enlarge)
Jon Sibbald, Wakefield and Pontefract Socialist Party and Frack Free Wakefield District
Tory government minister Sajid Javid has given permission for energy company Caudrilla to drill four wells to frack for gas at Preston New Road, Little Plumpton in Lancashire. This is, completely undemocratically, in spite of a previous decision by Lancashire County Council to refuse planning permission.
On another site under appeal at Rosacre Wood, Javid said he is minded for it to go ahead but has left it under review.
This decision comes as no surprise to anti-fracking groups across the country. We have seen how the Tory government has changed or introduced laws to assist the shale gas industry, while at the same time blocking the growth of renewables.
The big fear is that this undemocratic decision could open the floodgates for fracking all over the country. Local councils will not see the point in refusing planning permission knowing that central government will overrule them on appeal.
Dangers
We know of worldwide examples of the dangers of fracking. But Caudrilla claims that it is safe and that health and safety controls are much more rigorous in Britain. This is complete nonsense.
The government has prioritised the energy industry's quest for big profits from fracking and as usual has put profits before people.
If the UK is to ratify the Paris agreement on climate change as promised by Theresa May, fossil fuels must be left in the ground and more resources put into renewables. This would create long term, decent, skilled jobs and not destroy the environment.
As socialists we must campaign to stop fracking and for democratic public ownership of the big energy companies.
"The Tory government has once again come down on the side of big business and ignored the will of the people. Studies have found that in other countries, the shale gas extraction method has poisoned water supplies and heightened earthquake risk", says Kevin Bennett, Socialist Party member and former Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition councillor.
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In The Socialist 12 October 2016:
Housing crisis
Butterfields victory: housing crisis can be beaten
Tories’ £5bn for housing not enough
What we think
Tories whip up division over Brexit...fight for a socialist, internationalist exit
Where next for the BMA junior doctors' dispute
Socialist Party news and analysis
Suicidal phone calls: fight to reverse tax credit cuts
Black History Month
Malcolm X: hero of black liberation
Socialist Party workplace news
Union library campaign strikes blow against Bromley Tories
Bin workers' strike - "about more than just pay"
Ritzy strikers walk-out and rally
International socialist news and analysis
Poland: Mass movement stops total ban on abortion
South Africa: The battle for free education
Shimon Peres - a wolf in sheep's clothing
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Lambeth working class demo against cuts and gentrification
Appeal: Don't let the banks wreck our finances!
Momentum should show Blairites the door, not Socialist Party members!
Lobby to keep vital day centre funding
Bradford day centre campaigners meet to fight closure
Fight to save care homes in Carlisle
Cable Street 80th anniversary demo
Health and social care attacks
Attack on young people's health and social care: urgent fightback needed
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