As you will have seen in the press and on social media, there was a controversial vote in parliament last night.
I have set out my position and explained the situation below 
Labour laid down a motion to ‘ban fracking’ and attempt to take control of the Order Paper next week, i.e. take control of government business.
It is pretty obvious to anybody who reads the motion that no Conservative MP could vote in favour, regardless of their view on fracking.
I was told it was a hard 3-line whip to vote with the government and we would lose the whip if we ignored this or did not vote (abstain).
I chose to abstain in last night’s vote. I was not slipped, and I understood the potential consequences. Local people care deeply about environmental issues, and I have reservations about the government approach, not least about how local consent for fracking will work.
There has been some confusion about whether the whip has actually been withdrawn. I therefore do not know if the government still views me as a Conservative MP but I hope there will be no changes. I will just keep working 24/7 for you all even if the whip is removed.
I believe I have done the right thing for the constituency despite the potential personal repercussions.
I have also already made my position on fracking clear and believe we should maintain the 2019 manifesto position subject to a change in the science - https://stroudtimes.com/your-mp-writes-siobhan-baillie.../
Labour had social media posts lined up and graphics ready to attack Conservative MPs about this vote as they usually do with their opposition days regardless of what has happened and often ignoring government amendments so hopefully this note will help people understand what really happened.
Hope you are all well.
