Whitehaven and Workington MP’s new MP said the area can do ‘much better’ than a coal mine.
Josh MacAlister, talking to Radio 4’s World at One, blamed ‘Tory incompetence’ for the situation plans for an multi-million-pound coal mine off the coast of Whitehaven, found itself in.
The Government has said it will no longer defend two legal challenges next week against the mine by the campaign groups and has instead informed the court that the decision to grant planning permission should be quashed.
The Secretary of State said there had been an error of law in the decision to approve the proposals.
Mr MacAlister said: “There have been numerous arguments for the coal mine, but it’s a dying industry. I’m not going to look into the eyes of my constituents and say the jobs are going to last when they won’t.
“Whitehaven and Workington led the way in coal, steel and nuclear and I want to be ambitious to lead the way again.
“If the decision for the mine goes back to ministers and it is refused, which I believe it will, as MP for the constituency, I’m going to hold ministers’ feet to the fire. There must be an alternative offer.”
