Well-known environmental campaigner Feargal Sharkey has backed Stephen Morgan’s plans to clean up the Tory sewage scandal in a boost to the campaign. The Labour candidate has been a tireless campaigner in calling on the Government to do more to end sewage pollution in the Solent.
Over the last six years, there have been over one million sewage spill events across the country, including here in Portsmouth.
Labour’s plan will stop the bonuses, tackle failing water companies, and protect Britain’s beautiful holiday spots.
Mr Morgan has long campaigned to stop the sewage raising the issue in Parliament, voting for change, meeting constituents to discuss concerns and holding Ministers to account in Westminster.
Under Stephen Morgan’s tough plans, Ofwat could have blocked six out of nine water bosses’ bonuses last year because of severe levels of illegal pollution.
The party has pledged to put failing water companies under tough special measures to force them to clean up their toxic mess and protect people’s health.
This includes:
- Giving the water regulator powers to block the payment of any bonuses until water bosses have cleaned up their filth. We don’t need the dither and delay of a consultation; we need immediate action.
- Water bosses who oversee repeated law-breaking will face criminal charges.
- Ending self-monitoring and forcing all companies to monitor every single water outlet under independent supervision so companies can no longer cover up illegal sewage dumping.
- Introducing severe and automatic fines that water companies can’t afford to ignore for illegal sewage discharges
Sewage campaigner, Feargal Sharkey said:
“I genuinely feel the Labour Party is the only party right now that is really going to start holding these companies to account, start rebuilding a regulatory system and provides a system that stops polluting our environment, that delivers clean water at a price we can afford and provides an environment where we can do a really simple thing – take our kids to the beach and not have to sit there thinking can I allow my kids to paddle here.”
Commenting, Labour candidate Stephen Morgan said:
“Over the last six years, there have been over one million sewage spill events across the country, including here in Portsmouth.
“This is a national scandal. Portsmouth people should be able to enjoy our city’s superb seaside and areas of natural beauty, without having to worry about encountering filthy sewage.
“That’s why I’ve campaigned relentlessly on this issue and back Labour’s tough plans to stop the bonuses, tackle failing water companies, and protect Portsmouth’s natural environment. It is great to have Feargal Sharkey’s backing for these tough plans”.
You can read about Stephen’s long track record of relentlessly campaigning to stop the sewage here: https://www.stephenmorgan.org.uk/backs-tough-plans-to-tackle-sewage/
