Jacob Rees-Mogg says he would allow fracking in his own BACK GARDEN – especially if he got a share of the profits – as he blasts ‘socialist’ opponents of controversial drilling linked to earthquakes
- The Business Secretary defended the Government’s decision to lift moratorium
- Told Tory conference he would be happy for drilling at his West Country home
- ‘Told event: ‘I would be delighted, particularly if I get these royalties.’
Jacob Rees-Mogg said today he would be ‘delighted’ to allow fracking to take place in his own back garden.
The Business Secretary, who is an advocate of reviving the controversial drilling for shale gas, spoke as he defended the Government’s decision to lift a ban in England.
Speaking at a Tory conference fringe event the the North East Somerset MP said he would be happy for it to take place near his stately pile in the West Country – especially if he got a cut of the profits.
He confirmed last month that firms extracting gas will be permitted to cause bigger earthquakes in a bid to kickstart production.
He made clear the limit of 0.5 on the Richter scale will be eased, potentially to 2.5, admitting that otherwise no mining would take place.
PM Liz Truss has previously stressed that any projects will require local support – with suggestions that local residents could get discounts on their energy bills in return for agreeing.
Mr Rees-Mogg went further today suggesting people could get money for allowing drilling to take place under their homes.
Asked if he would back it at his country home, he said : ‘Yes, of course I would. I would be delighted, particularly if I get these royalties.’
The Business Secretary, who is an advocate of reviving the controversial drilling for shale gas, spoke as he defended the Government’s decision to lift a ban in England.
Speaking at a Tory conference fringe event the the North East Somerset MP said he would be happy for it to take place near his stately pile in the West Country – especially if he got a cut of the profits.
He went on to criticise ‘the socialists’ and Green MP Caroline Lucas who oppose fracking and are furious that the moratorium has been lifted, adding: ‘Well that makes my heart bleed.’
The 2019 Conservative manifesto pledged not to lift England’s moratorium unless fracking was scientifically proven to be safe amid concerns over earthquakes.
But the government last month said that a long-awaited British Geological Survey review had concluded more evidence was needed – and that required more drilling.
Fyle Tory Mark Menzies said then that if the Prime Minister ‘is to remain a woman of her word’, then the Government needs to set out how local consent is established.
Conservative MP Scott Benton joined other Tory MPs in expressing anxiety over the Government lifting the fracking ban.
The MP for Blackpool South said many of his constituents have ‘strong objections’ to fracking and also asked how the Government will ascertain whether local support is given, and ‘what incentives if any are going to be provided to local communities to have fracking imposed upon them’.
‘My constituents are understandably anxious about fracking returning to the Fylde coast, so when will they receive an answer to some of these questions?’ he said.
Mr Rees-Mogg also disagreed with former Cabinet ally Nadine Dorries after she suggested Liz Truss requires a general election to divert significantly from the 2019 Tory manifesto.
He told the Telegraph event at the Conservative conference that they used to get on ‘like a house on fire’ around the Cabinet table and agreed on ‘almost everything’.
But he added: ‘I don’t think there’s going to be an immediate election and I don’t think there’s a requirement for one.’
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