Mr. Rees-Mogg said at the Conservative Party Conference that he would be ‘delighted’ if fracking were to go ahead in his constituency. He described allowing it to go ahead as a ‘public service’.

Bath MP Wera Hobhouse, the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for energy and climate change, commented: “Jacob Rees-Mogg takes his constituents for granted time and again. This is yet another example.

“In the past week, Mr. Rees-Mogg said he would welcome fracking in his back garden. I am quite sure he did not ask, nor does he care, whether any of his constituents also want it in theirs. This Government consistently ignores the wishes of the local community and Rees-Mogg is promising more of the same.

“The Liberal Democrats believe that we need full scrutiny of all new oil and gas projects. This must include giving people who will be affected by fracking a real voice in the decision making process. Circumventing their views, as the Conservatives are set on doing, is grossly unjust.

“Risking our beautiful countryside and the world-famous Bath hot springs to line the pockets of the oil and gas giants is shameful and this country deserves better.”