Ed Davey urges the country to send Conservatives a message on sewage scandal

EMBARGO: 22:30 Monday 1st July

• Liberal Democrats announce plans for a Clean Water Bill in new Parliament 
   
• Ed Davey to visit seaside seat and declare election “a watershed moment in the sewage crisis” 
   
• Liberal Democrats to table bill in Parliament to clean up waterways and crack down on polluting firms
   
• Conservative Party voted on six different occasions against tougher action on water companies 
   

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey will today (Tuesday 2nd July) call on the country to vote to end the sewage scandal and kick the Conservatives out of power.
 

He has also announced that Liberal Democrat MPs will table a Clean Water Bill in the new Parliament, with urgent measures to clean up the UK’s coasts and rivers.
 

With just 48 hours left until polling day, Ed Davey will visit a coastal constituency impacted by a water company discharging sewage nearby to popular beaches. 
 

The Liberal Democrats have led the way in campaigning against the sewage scandal throughout the last Parliament and have now put the issue at the heart of their general election campaign. The party’s manifesto sets out plans for a tougher regulator called the Clean Water Authority, banning bonuses for water company executives, investing in water inspectors and bringing in a new Blue Flag status to protect rivers and lakes from sewage dumping.
 

The Liberal Democrats have identified six different occasions in the last Parliament where Conservative MPs voted against tougher action on water companies. This includes votes by Conservative MPs to block making water company bosses criminally liable for serious sewage dumping offences and to protect victims of sewage illnesses. 

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said: 

“In just 48 hours time, the British public can vote to end the sewage scandal and kick the Conservatives out of power. 
 

“Filthy sewage dumping has caused untold damage to our precious environment and left people feeling unable to swim in their local rivers and beaches because they’re worried about getting sick.
 

“Conservative MPs have spent years voting against tougher action on water companies. 
 

“This election can be a watershed moment for the sewage scandal and a chance to elect Liberal Democrat MPs who will stand up to polluting water companies. 
 

“This Thursday, across swathes of the country, voters will face a clear choice between an out-of-touch Conservative candidate, and a Liberal Democrat local champion who will stand up for our environment.”
 

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Liberal Democrat manifesto has set out bold action to reform the water industry and clean up waterways, including: 
 

• Creating a new water industry regulator, the Clean Water Authority, with greater powers to take action on water companies
   
• Banning water company executive bonuses
   
• Investing in new water inspectors and more unannounced inspections
   
• Putting community groups onto water company boards
   
• Implementing a new Blue Flag status for rivers, lakes and streams.
   

Six times in the last Parliament where Conservative MPs voted against tougher action on water companies: 
 

1) Division 91 Environment Bill - 20th October 2021

Amendment A to Lords Amendment 45, to strengthen provisions against sewage dumping.

Votes by Conservative MPs: 268
 

2) Division 104 Environment Bill - 8th November 2021

Government Motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 45B, which reduced the severity of fines polluters would have been eligible for.

Votes by Conservative MPs: 279
 

3) Division 73 - 25th October 2023

The retained EU law bill handed power to Ministers, revoking laws to preventing sewage pollution.

Votes by Conservative MPs: 267
 

4) Division 217 - 25th April 2023

Labour Opposition Day on Sewage Discharge - Government amended to remove the call to set a target for the reduction of sewage discharges.

Votes by Conservative MPs: 285
 

5) Division 21 - 4th December 2023

Voted against Liberal Democrat amendment to create a category of victims of sewage.

Votes by Conservative MPs: 262
 

6) Division 153 - 15th May 2024

Voted against amendment to make water company bosses criminally liable for sewage discharges.

Votes by Conservative MPs: 260