Keith Taylor, the Green Party MEP for the South East, is going to Balcombe today to join campaigners protesting against a proposed drilling site.

Mr Taylor joins the protesters as they enter their fourth day at the site. On Friday a number of people were arrested as police cleared the site entrance to allow the energy firm Cuadrilla to bring in drilling equipment.

Keith Taylor MEP said:

“The campaigners in Balcombe are modern day defenders of the land.  They are fighting against a company desperate to drill into the countryside and a Government hell-bent on supporting extreme energy.

The fact that so many ordinary people are willing to take direct action against drilling in their area shows the depth of feeling against shale oil and gas extraction.

If George Osborne was serious about tackling climate change or indeed protecting the countryside then he wouldn’t be handing tax breaks to fracking companies like Cuadrilla. Rather than locking us into a future of fossil fuel dependence the Government should be doubling its efforts to support renewable, clean and safe energy from the sun, wind and sea.”

Mr Taylor went on to say:

“This is the new front line in the fight between the Protectors of the Land vs. the Protectors of Private Profit. It’s an inspiration to campaigners across the UK and a warning to government