Cumbria’s Conservative MPs all stood with the Government in last night’s controversial fracking vote in Parliament.
Labour had tabled the vote which, if passed, would give MPs a say on the Government’s plans to bring back fracking. Conservative Party members were told that it was being regarded as a confidence vote in the Prime Minister.
This meant that if they did not side with the Government they could be kicked out of the parliamentary party.
Chaotic scenes unfolded last night as the vote was taken – with some claims that MPs had been ‘manhandled’ into the voting lobbies – although this was denied by the Conservatives.
The Government won the vote by 326 votes to 230. Forty Tory MPs did not vote – but Barrow and Furness’ Simon Fell, Copeland’s Trudy Harrison, Penrith and the Border’s Neil Hudson, Workington’s Mark Jenkinson and Carlisle’s John Stevenson all voted against the motion.
Liberal Democrat Tim Farron, who represents Westmorland and Lonsdale, voted for Labour’s motion.
Suella Braverman also resigned as Home Secretary – to be replaced by Grant Shapps. It was speculated that Chief Whip Wendy Morton and her deputy had also left their posts but both still remain.
