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Government makes fracking ban vote test of Tory loyalty Government makes fracking ban vote test of Tory loyalty
(about 2 hours later)
The government lifted the ban on fracking in England last monthThe government lifted the ban on fracking in England last month
An attempt by Labour to ban fracking has been turned into a confidence vote in Liz Truss's government. Tory MPs have been ordered to oppose a Labour move to ban fracking to demonstrate their loyalty to Liz Truss.
Labour wants to use a vote in Parliament on Wednesday afternoon to force the introduction of a draft law to ban the extraction of shale gas.Labour wants to use a vote in Parliament on Wednesday afternoon to force the introduction of a draft law to ban the extraction of shale gas.
But the government has told Tory MPs they must vote against Labour, saying "we simply cannot allow this".But the government has told Tory MPs they must vote against Labour, saying "we simply cannot allow this".
The BBC has seen a message sent to Tory MPs - telling them: "This is a confidence motion in the government."The BBC has seen a message sent to Tory MPs - telling them: "This is a confidence motion in the government."
A number of Conservative MPs oppose fracking, but they have been told they must support the government or face being expelled from the parliamentary party.A number of Conservative MPs oppose fracking, but they have been told they must support the government or face being expelled from the parliamentary party.
Labour has said the government has not confirmed what a defeat on this fracking vote would mean for Ms Truss's premiership. Ms Truss's press secretary has said the prime minister would not resign even if the government loses Wednesday's vote on fracking.
"The consequence of making this a confidence vote is that if the government loses the motion on fracking, the prime minister will resign and the government will fall," shadow leader of the House of Commons Thangam Debbonaire said. That is because Labour's motion does not amount to a formal vote of no confidence in the government.
"The Tories must urgently confirm this is the case."
What is fracking and why is it controversial?What is fracking and why is it controversial?
Tory anger over plan to buy local fracking supportTory anger over plan to buy local fracking support
Green groups paint us as villains, minister saysGreen groups paint us as villains, minister says
A no-confidence vote is usually tabled by the opposition and if the government loses, the prime minister will be expected to resign or ask the King to dissolve Parliament, triggering a general election.
The Tory whips have described Wednesday's vote as "a confidence motion", but the government has the final say over how to respond to a defeat.
Nevertheless, defeat for the government would have political consequences. For example, Tory MPs who do not vote with the government on this motion could have the whip suspended.
This could stir up discontent among Tory MPs at a time when Ms Truss is trying to shore up her authority after being forced to ditch much of her economic agenda.
At Prime Minister's Questions, Ms Truss was asked why Conservative MPs should have confidence in her government, given the economic shock caused by her mini-budget.At Prime Minister's Questions, Ms Truss was asked why Conservative MPs should have confidence in her government, given the economic shock caused by her mini-budget.
The prime minister said "we do face difficult economic times" and insisted she had been "honest about the mistakes I have made".The prime minister said "we do face difficult economic times" and insisted she had been "honest about the mistakes I have made".
During an opposition debate later, Labour will put forward a motion which seeks to make time to table a bill that would ban fracking for good. Fracking ban
If Labour's motion is approved, a bill to ban fracking would be given priority to be debated and voted on in Parliament.
Fracking was halted in 2019 following opposition from environmentalists and local concerns over earth tremors linked to the practice.Fracking was halted in 2019 following opposition from environmentalists and local concerns over earth tremors linked to the practice.
But last month, the UK government ended the fracking ban in England as part of its plan to limit rising energy costs.But last month, the UK government ended the fracking ban in England as part of its plan to limit rising energy costs.
Now Labour says it wants to give MPs a chance to overturn the decision, which broke a 2019 Tory manifesto promise.Now Labour says it wants to give MPs a chance to overturn the decision, which broke a 2019 Tory manifesto promise.
In a message to Tory MPs, deputy chief whip Craig Whittaker said the government "cannot, under any circumstances, let the Labour Party take control of the order paper and put through their own legislation".In a message to Tory MPs, deputy chief whip Craig Whittaker said the government "cannot, under any circumstances, let the Labour Party take control of the order paper and put through their own legislation".
He said the party was voting "no" on Labour's motion, enforcing what's known as a three-line whip.He said the party was voting "no" on Labour's motion, enforcing what's known as a three-line whip.
"I know this is difficult for some colleagues, but we simply cannot allow this. Please speak with your whip with any issues," the message from Mr Whittaker reads."I know this is difficult for some colleagues, but we simply cannot allow this. Please speak with your whip with any issues," the message from Mr Whittaker reads.
Jacob Rees-Mogg has defended the return of frackingJacob Rees-Mogg has defended the return of fracking
Jacob Rees-Mogg has defended the return of frackingJacob Rees-Mogg has defended the return of fracking
The government hopes the Conservative MPs who oppose fracking will be forced to back down.The government hopes the Conservative MPs who oppose fracking will be forced to back down.
Meanwhile, Labour believes the government is walking into a trap. They want to make this a big dividing line, and have adverts ready attacking each MP who votes with the government on fracking. Meanwhile, Labour believes the government is walking into a trap. They want to make this a big dividing line, and have adverts ready attacking each MP who votes against a fracking ban.
One Conservative MP has told the BBC that many will be very unhappy about voting with the government on this issue.One Conservative MP has told the BBC that many will be very unhappy about voting with the government on this issue.
Last week, some Tory MPs told the BBC they were talking to opposition parties about ways they could block the government's fracking plans.Last week, some Tory MPs told the BBC they were talking to opposition parties about ways they could block the government's fracking plans.
One Labour source said MPs in areas impacted by fracking "will have to consider their constituents before they troop through the lobbies".One Labour source said MPs in areas impacted by fracking "will have to consider their constituents before they troop through the lobbies".
Shadow climate change secretary Ed Miliband said the motion gave Tory MPs a "simple choice" between banning fracking and allowing the government to "impose" the activity on communities.Shadow climate change secretary Ed Miliband said the motion gave Tory MPs a "simple choice" between banning fracking and allowing the government to "impose" the activity on communities.
When lifting the ban on fracking last month, the government said the practice would resume only where there was local consent. Local consent
But is it not clear how local consent would be obtained nor how residents who live near fracking sites would be compensated. When lifting the ban on fracking last month, the government said the practice would resume only where there was local consent, but did not say how this would be sought.
On Wednesday, Ms Truss told MPs the government "will consult on the robust system of local consent" and "give clear advice on seismic limits" before any fracking goes ahead. At Prime Minister's Questions, Liz Truss said the government "will consult on the robust system of local consent" and "give clear advice on seismic limits" before any fracking goes ahead.
The prime minister said Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg "will be saying more about this later today".The prime minister said Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg "will be saying more about this later today".
The BBC understands he will give more details of the consent mechanism being proposed.
Ahead of Wednesday's debate, Mr Miliband said Labour was "standing up to Liz Truss's unjust charter for earthquakes", arguing "fracking would make no difference to energy prices".
"Every Conservative MP who opposes fracking must now put country over party and support Labour's ban on fracking," he said.
The Liberal Democrats have urged Tory MPs to "show some backbone" by voting for a ban.The Liberal Democrats have urged Tory MPs to "show some backbone" by voting for a ban.
"Conservative MPs will not be forgiven if they give the go-ahead to fracking our countryside for more expensive gas instead of backing renewables," said Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for energy and climate change. "Conservative MPs will not be forgiven if they give the go-ahead to fracking our countryside for more expensive gas instead of backing renewables," said the party's climate change spokesperson Wera Hobhouse.