MP introduces a Bill pushing for a national conversation about water
MP Clive Lewis has introduced legislation in Parliament seeking to boost water democracy.
The Labour member for Norwich South explained on X: “This bill establishes a blueprint for democratic practice: for creating an open conversation about the state of our water and its future management – particularly in respect of the deep climate adaptation required – drawing on all expertise and ideas available to us, and which leaves no rock unturned in examining the root causes of the current failure so mistakes are not repeated.
“This bill does not presume a particular end point, and aims to push the public debate beyond simplistic and unhelpful narratives of privatisation vs nationalisation. This bill puts the conversation about the future management of water where it should be – in the hands of parliament and the public. This is a conversation that must take place in broad daylight, not behind the closed doors of boardrooms, or through opaque industry lobbying. Water belongs to all of us, so how it is managed is a question of economic democracy.”
Specifically, his Water Bill seeks to:
Set new targets and objectives relating to water, including in relation to the ownership of water companies and to climate mitigation and adaptation.
Place requirements on the secretary of state to publish and implement a strategy for achieving those targets and objectives.
Establish a Commission on Water to advise the secretary of state on that strategy.
Require the Commission to set up a Citizens’ Assembly on water ownership.
Lewis argued water is a shared critical national resource and the current political and economic orthodoxy has run out of road. “There’s clear public outrage about how our water is being mismanaged. There’s also a clear public consensus that the current system does not work. If government fails to act, this will further undermine people’s faith in democracy… We have to stop water mismanagement, and that can only be done through systemic change. The answers do not lie in failed regulators or tinkering. We must have the courage to change the rules and create a new political reality. This is, to some degree, already happening in other areas, whether that is rail or energy. Let this bill be the starting point for a national and democratic conversation about water, and how this integral part of our commons is managed in the 21st century, with all the democratic, climate and ecological challenges that lie ahead.”
Lewis was successful in a Private Members’ Bill ballot, which provided the opportunity to propose legislation with guaranteed debate time. The Second Reading is scheduled for 28 March 2025.
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