Stevenage MP Stephen McPartland, Hitchin & Harpenden MP Bim Afolami and North East Hertfordshire MP Sir Oliver Heald have all voted against a motion that would have granted parliamentary time to a bill that would ban fracking. 

In 2019, the three Conservative MPs stood on a manifesto that opposed fracking. However, the government announced last month that it would overturn the fracking ban in an attempt to reduce energy costs. 

The Labour party tabled a motion in the House of Commons last night which, if passed, would have guaranteed parliamentary time to a bill that would ban fracking.

Richard Fuller, MP for North East Bedfordshire, also voted against the motion while Mid Bedfordshire MP Nadine Dorries abstained.

Yesterday afternoon, Conservative party MPs were told that a three-line whip was being imposed, meaning that if they did not vote against Labour’s motion they would face disciplinary action or expulsion from the party, becoming independent MPs. However, there has since been confusion as to whether a three-line whip was in place. 

The motion was defeated, with 326 MPs voting against it and 230 MPs voting in favour. No Conservative MPs voted in favour and 32 abstained. 

There have been allegations that Conservative MPs were bullied and manhandled into voting with the government amid chaotic scenes in Westminster.

No fracking sites have been proposed in North Herts, but Afolami and Heald have previously expressed scepticism about its potential benefits.

According to PoliticsHome, Afolami told the Conservative party conference earlier this month that “fracking would not reduce the cost of energy in the UK”.

In 2019, Heald posted a statement on his website reading “I welcome the government’s announcement that they have ended their support for fracking”.

Sir Oliver Heald and Bim Afolami have responded to a request for comment.

Heald said: “The motion to take over parliament to pass a fracking bill was a Labour stunt.

"The vote was on a Labour motion to give Labour control of parliamentary proceedings in order to bring in a bill to ban fracking.

"No government party MP could ever vote for that as it would involve giving the Opposition the power only a government enjoys. So, no Conservative MP voted for it or ever would.

"I agree that the merits of fracking are doubtful and would not take place in our area anyway.”

Afolami said: “My views on fracking are unchanged - I understand the need for energy security in Britain but fracking is not going to get us there, and in the local areas where it is proposed it is extremely unpopular.

"I voted with the government last night to stop Labour taking control of the legislative programme - as that is the fundamental point of being a government - and to also ensure that I retained the Conservative whip so I can play a full part in any leadership decisions that may arise in the coming days or weeks.”

Stephen McPartland has not yet responded.