Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan has issued a ‘now or never’ rallying cry to stop Aquind as his petition reached more than 3,500 signatures from local residents.
The Labour representative has led the charge against the controversial infrastructure project, lobbying Ministers who will be making the decision, giving evidence to object to proposals at public planning hearings and launching a petition with the local ‘STOP AQUIND’ group.
The proposed energy pipeline has received heavy criticism over the damage it would cause to local infrastructure and natural environment.
Mr Morgan has also attacked the company’s ‘cosy relationships’ with a string of senior Conservative politicians, highlighting a string of financial donations to those responsible for making decisions about the project.
The Portsmouth MP’s petition, which can be signed by any UK resident, calls on the government to reject the project. Mr Morgan is set to present it to Parliament following the summer recess.
Conservative Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng MP is expected to make a final decision on the project by 8 September.
Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan said:
“I am pleased that so many people have backed my call on government to stop AQUIND, but there’s more to do and time is running out.
“We need to show Ministers the full strength of Portsmouth’s opposition to these damaging proposals, which threaten our day-to-day lives.
“It’s now or never if we are going to stop this disastrous project, so I urge all Portsmouth residents to keep signing the petition”.
The MP plans to present the petition for debate in the House of Commons when parliament returns for recess in early September.
Viola Langley, of the ‘Let’s Stop Aquind’ campaign, added:
“We at Let’ s Stop Aquind recognise the importance of this petition as a means of bringing the Aquind Interconnector Project to Parliament where we hope open and honest debate will convince the government that Aquind must not be given the go ahead.
“Please find a way to add your name to the petition so that the Secretary of State can see the strength of opposition to this project.”
An MP’s petition has to be presented in hard copy for debate in Parliament. This has not presented challenges for local campaigners who have made Mr Morgan’s petition available in local shops and at community events across the city.
You can find more information about Stephen Morgan’s Stop AQUIND petition here
Copies of the petition are available to sign at the following local shops:
HIGHLAND ROAD:
• Broadway Coffee Roasters
• Hounds Barbers
ALBERT ROAD:
• Aristia
• Herbies
• Hunter Gatherer
• Southsea cycles
• Pompey on a roll
• Corner Collective
• Budds Herbal Apothecary
• Tango Tea
• Dress Code
• Casa de Castro
• Street Level
ELM GROVE:
• Package-free Larder
OLD PORTSMOUTH:
• Jack House Gallery
MILTON:
• Bicycle Boutique (Winter Road)
• Fruit and flowers
• Milton Community Centre Cafe
• Winnie’s bakery
• The Brewers Tap
PALMERSTON RD AREA:
• Seeded (Clarendon Road)
• Wild Thyme
DRAYTON:
• The News
• Aroma Caffe Bar
• Drayton Community Pharmacy
• JK Wellness
• Material Things
PORTSDOWN HILL:
• The George Inn
