Responding to the latest Government
survey revealing support for fracking across the UK
population has slumped to a new record low,
while public opposition
remains at a record high, Keith Taylor, Green MEP for the
South East and a vocal anti-drilling campaigner,
said:
"With authoritarian
injunctions against protesters, the overturning of local
democracy, increasing reports of heavy handed
policing and even accusations of
collusion between police and fracking firms, the
Tories and their friends in the industry are looking
increasingly desperate in their attempts to impose fracking
on a population that is, as today's survey
reveals, loudly and resolutely
saying no."
"Though the British Government has a
love affair with fracking, Ministers and lobbyists have
failed to persuade the public of the benefits of shale gas
drilling. People's legitimate concerns just aren't going away
- and their chief
concern is the destructive environmental and climate
impact of fracking."
"The scientific consensus on climate
change has never been greater. It is clear that the best
chance we have of averting catastrophe is by keeping fossil
fuel
reserves in the
ground. But not only is fracking a dangerous method of fossil
fuel extraction, it is also a deeply unpopular one that has
profound and acute impacts on local communities. It's little
wonder public opposition has never been higher while support
hits record lows.”
"It's shocking that in the face of
growing public opposition, political
pressure is being brought to bear on police forces
to act as
the legal enforcers
in a debate the Government is
losing."
“An authoritarian crack down on British
citizens' rights to protest will not squash fracking
opposition. I and my Green colleagues will continue to stand
up for and alongside local communities, activists and
protesters across the UK.”
