I was elected on a pledge to end sewage dumping in the River Itchen and stand up for Southampton residents facing rising bills.
For too long, Southern Water has treated customers like cash cows while trust in our water system has collapsed. Across the industry, billions have been paid out in dividends while debt has soared and too many customers are still left with sewage pollution, leaks and poor service.
The Labour Government has already strengthened regulation, with tougher penalties, new powers to block bonuses and greater accountability.
But I believe we now need to go further.
It is time to take back control of our water.
Water is an essential public service. I do not believe it should continue to be run primarily in the interests of private shareholders. That is why I believe Southern Water should be brought into public ownership. I want local communities, councils, workers and environmental organisations to have a meaningful voice in how our water is run.
If you agree, add your name to my petition to take back control of our water and bring Southern Water into Public Ownership👇
Bring Southern Water into Public Ownership
We, the undersigned, call on the Government to bring Southern Water into public ownership and create a water system that is run in the public interest, not primarily for private shareholders. Public ownership should ensure that customers’ money is focused on fixing leaks, upgrading infrastructure, stopping sewage pollution and protecting our rivers and coastline. It should also give local communities, councils, workers and environmental organisations a meaningful voice in how our water is governed, rather than simply replacing a private monopoly with a remote one run from Whitehall.
River Itchen Campaign Updates
See more
Water renationalisation: “Let’s simply get on with it’
I told Parliament yesterday that we need a plan.
Our water companies should be brought into public ownership
Despite progress under this government, we need to see fundamental change.
