Bolton MPs say the town does not want fracking despite voting different ways in a  motion to attempting ban the practice.

Bolton South East MP Yasmin Qureshi was among the MPs that voted to guarantee parliamentary time for a bill to ban fracking.

Ms Qureshi said: “In Bolton and throughout Greater Manchester and Lancashire, we had a debate on fracking and the public gave a resolute no.

“That the Government are seeking to reintroduce the practice is to ride roughshod over democracy and it cannot fly. People in Bolton will not stand for it."

READ MORE: Ban on all fracking activity on council controlled land in Bolton to continue

This U-turn on the fracking policy has been met with much resistance from across the House of Commons, even from within the parliamentary Conservative party.

There were even claims that some members were ‘manhandled’ by whips in order to get them to vote for the motion, suggesting that they must think about it in terms of a confidence vote in the Prime Minister.

Ms Qureshi added:“The scenes in the Commons voting lobbies were like nothing I have experienced in my 12 years in politics - it showed a desperate government unable to govern with a party in turmoil.

“A General Election is the only logical solution to end this political stasis."

Not long after these comments, Liz Truss resigned as Prime Minister, however a general election was not called, rather a fresh leadership contest.

Bolton West MP Chris Green voted the opposite way to Ms Qureshi.

He dismissed the vote as only being “superficially” about fracking, while the real reason for opposition day voting is a demonstration of power in Westminster – something he says that Labour politicians “know all too well”.

He added: “The government’s position is that fracking will only be allowed in the areas that want it.

“I fully expect in Bolton West that if the question were asked it would be rejected.”

Earlier this month, councillors in Bolton extended a ban on fracking on council land despite the Government’s recent change in policy allowing shale gas extraction.

Bolton Council unanimously backed a motion proposed by Liberal Democrat leader Roger Hayes to continue its ban on any activities linked with fracking on

land it owns or controls and also to strongly oppose any attempt by Government to weaken or override its powers as a planning authority when considering any applications for fracking in Bolton.

Mark Logan, MP for Bolton North East, did not register a vote due to his currently being treated in hospital following an injury he sustained while on his bicycle.

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