Visiting Lib Dem leader warns of ‘sewage backlash’ at polls

LIBERAL Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey warned that the Prime Minister is facing a “sewage backlash” in the May local elections.

The Lib Dems have put tackling sewage at the heart of their efforts to win over traditionally Tory seats in socalled “blue wall” areas across southern England.

Ahead of a visit to West Dorset yesterday as part of his campaign tour, Sir Ed said: “Rishi Sunak and Conservative MPs are facing a sewage backlash after years of blocking tough measures to crack down on water firms.

“The water industry needs to be ripped up from top to bottom, to stop profits and shareholders’ dividends driving everything. It is time to start again.

“Sunak may have bottled a general election, but he cannot hide from voters in the local elections where communities will voice real anger at this environmental scandal.”

The Lib Dem leader met Surfers

Against Sewage chief executive Giles Bristow and visit a polluted beach as part of his South West tour.

The party said Environment Agency data showed sewage was dumped into Lyme Bay and Bridport Harbour 102 times in 2023, up 62% compared to the previous year.

Richard Foord, Liberal Democrat MP for Tiverton and Honiton, has described rising sewage outflow figures as “deeply shameful”.

“It is a complete scandal that untreated raw sewage is being spilled into Devon’s rivers and onto our premier beaches on an almost industrial scale,” he said.

“The situation we now face is a result of years of neglect, not just by water companies but also from Government ministers.”

Water Minister Robbie Moore said this week: “I have been clear that sewage pollution in our waters is unacceptable [...] Water companies must go further and faster.”