Stephen Morgan MP urged the government during a speech in Parliament today to ‘Stop Aquind’ and reject the ‘damaging’ infrastructure project.
The Portsmouth MP secured a Westminster Hall debate, outlining the key concerns constituents have shared with him, including:
- the long-term disruption its construction would cause;
- the damage to the local environment; and
- the murky relationship the company and its directors have with government.
It marks the latest intervention from the local MP to stop the project ahead of the Conservative Government’s final decision, expected later this summer. Mr Morgan has also raised the issue during departmental businesses questions in the House of Commons and launched his public petition to ‘Stop Aquind’ the weekend before.
Sharing his constituents fears about AQUIND during his speech, the Member of Parliament for Portsmouth South, said:
“Whatever the alleged merits of this project may be, to ignore the overwhelmingly negative impact it would have on Portsmouth’s residents, its businesses and environment, would be a dereliction of duty.”
Mr Morgan also criticised AQUIND’s “shady campaign to lobby successive Conservative Ministers, behind closed doors and backed by heaps of cash”.
He dismissed as ‘fantasy’ any suggestion that Kwasi Kwarteng MP, the Conservative Secretary of State for Business who has a final say over the project, could make an impartial decision.
Stephen Morgan MP, commented:
“Today in Parliament I once again challenged Tory government ministers to put an end to these damaging proposals and Stop Aquind.
“I was deeply unimpressed with the Minister’s response, failing to address any of the questions raised by my constituents or outline any specific benefits the AQUIND interconnector project would bring to Portsmouth.
“I know those who object to the scheme will also be disappointed to see no other local MP participate in the debate, despite our area’s outright objection to the project.
“I will keep working on behalf of local people to ensure we secure an end to these plans and stop AQUIND. Constituents can show their opposition by signing my public petition.”
You can sign the Portsmouth South MP’s public petition at www.stephenmorgan.org.uk/aquindpetition
