7 May 2016
On Thursday 5th May in Bournemouth a nationwide initiative CROSS PARTY FRACK FREE was launched to notify all Councillors in the country about the dangers of fracking.
Representatives of the Green Party and Liberal Democrats were accompanied by local and national environmental campaigners to deliver a letter to each Bournemouth Borough Councillor, along with a report by Medact highlighting the health and safety dangers associated with fracking.
This cross party initiative follows an action taken in London last week when all UK MPs including David Cameron were served legal notice enclosing the same reports. The notice warned MPs of a possible breach of their Code of Conduct if they promote fracking in full knowledge of its dangers and harm arises as a result.
The letter given to councillors today was signed by Molly Scott Cato - Green Party MEP for the SW and Gibraltar and Sir Graham Watson - former MEP for the region.
"This letter and the accompanying report make clear the serious health implications of a new fracking industry in the UK. Having given councillors the report we now wait to see how they will ensure they fulfil their duty of care to constituents on this matter. Investing in a dinosaur industry which is inconsistent with our commitments on climate change only serves to divert investment from exploiting our abundant renewable energy resources in Dorset which can deliver green jobs and clean energy” Molly Scott Cato
With this information, both MPs and councillors have been reminded of their duty of care.
They have also been invited to sign on a public register so that everyone can see who supports a ban on fracking.
Green Party Councillor Simon Bull was present to receive his letter in person and said “I am in full support of this campaign and have signed the register, I hope that my colleagues in council will now be able to fast track their understanding on the science behind the dangers of fracking and join me in supporting a ban.”
The register was the initiative of local environmental campaigner Stuart Lane with support from fellow campaigners and legal experts from Safe Alliance. It can be viewed on line at www.crosspartyfrack free.uk
Stuart Lane said: “Last week we made sure that no MP can claim not to know that fracking is dangerous. Now we want elected representatives across the country and from all parties to stand up and support a complete ban. France, which has an Environment Charter, has banned fracking on the grounds that it is too hazardous. Why are we playing with fire in the UK when we know the devastating effects fracking has had elsewhere?”
The next council to be served was Dorset County Council, in Dorchester, on Saturday 7th May.
