Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has announced a **permanent ban on fracking** in the UK, a decision that has drawn immediate criticism from the Reform party, which vows to reverse the policy if it comes to power. Miliband made the announcement during the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, urging activists to “send this bunch of frackers packing,” reports BritPanorama.
During his address, Miliband described fracking as “dangerous and deeply harmful to our natural environment.” His remarks prompted a sharp response from Reform deputy leader Richard Tice, who characterized the ban as a “negligent” move that disregards potential economic benefits. “Reform UK will immediately reverse this when we win power,” he stated, highlighting the job creation and cost-cutting benefits they claim local gas production would bring.
The backdrop to this debate is a longstanding **de facto ban on fracking** in the UK, instituted six years ago after an Oil and Gas Authority report indicated the unpredictability of seismic activity linked to shale drilling. With energy prices soaring, the ban’s implications for energy security and costs have ignited controversy, particularly among parties advocating for increased domestic energy production.
The political clash intensifies as notable Labour figures, including leader Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves, join the fray against Reform, mirroring Miliband’s condemnation of their stance. Miliband portrayed the Reform party as “ideological extremists,” asserting, “We know where they want to go next because they have told us – fracking. Fracking in your communities. Fracking will not take a penny off bills. It will not create long-term sustainable jobs. It will trash our climate commitments.”
Historically, fracking was briefly resurrected under former Prime Minister Liz Truss, only to be abandoned again by her successor, Rishi Sunak. The political discourse surrounding fracking reflects broader tensions in the UK’s energy strategy, balancing economic interests with environmental concerns.
