This week, once again, sees fracking centre stage in British politics as three Lancashire councillors who took part in lock-ons at Cuadrilla's Preston New Road fracking site over the summer face trial, together with ten other residents.
The trial of the 13 campaigners begins at Blackpool Magistrates' Court tomorrow, Monday 13th November with a rally outside at 9:15am. The actions of local councillors in Fylde contrast sharply with councillors in Salford, who, during the Barton Moss protests, never even visited the site once - never mind take part in direct action - despite pleas from local residents.
This coming Saturday, 18th November, will, however, see Salford and Eccles MP, Rebecca Long-Bailey, speak at an anti-fracking rally in Ellesmere Port Civic Square from 1pm. It is significant as Rebecca Long-Bailey is currently Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and will be responsible for banning fracking if the Labour Party forms the next Government.
The rally is being organised by Frack Free Ellesmere Port, Unite Against Fracking and Frack Free Dee Community, and other speakers include fellow MPs Justin Madders (Ellesmere Port and Neston), Chris Matheson (Chester) and Mike Amesbury (Weaver Vale).
Meanwhile, on Friday, police dragged Green Party co-leader, Jonathan Bartley, away from a protest outside the Third Energy fracking site at Kirby Misperton in Ryedale as he was giving a speech against the company's offshore tax tactics.
Third Energy, which is set to start fracking at the site and keeps its wealth offshore in the Cayman Islands tax haven, was slammed by Bartley...
"The Government is using tax payers' money to subsidise tax-dodging frackers" he said "All fossil fuel subsidies are unacceptable but to use tax breaks to help a company keeping its wealth in an offshore tax haven is obscene.
"Fracking is dirty, dangerous and unnecessary" he added "It will jeopardise our climate commitments and prolong our dependency on fossil fuel for years to come. The community in Kirby Misperton have made it clear they don't want it. Instead of overriding their wishes in its desperate dash for gas, the Government should be investing in modern, clean energy for the future."
Main photo shows screenshot of Green Party tweet showing Jonathan Bartley being dragged away by police.
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