Bill Cash MP called out for voting in favour of sewage being dumped in local rivers
The Conservative MP for Stone has been criticised by local campaigners after voting in favour of water companies dumping sewage in local rivers.
Last week MPs voted on Lords amendments to the new Environment Bill. However
Conservative MPs, including Bill Cash MP, voted against an amendment which would
have banned water companies polluting rivers with sewage. This week, there will be another
opportunity for MPs to vote to protect local rivers.
Water companies pumped polluting and harmful raw sewage in national water sources over
400,000 times last year. The River Trust reveals more than half of England's rivers are
currently failing to pass cleanliness tests due to water companies actions.
Local Liberal Democrat Parliamentary spokesperson, Alec Sandiford, called out Bill Cash
for failing to protect local rivers:
"It is outrageous to see our MP betray our local community and environment in Parliament.
Their job should be to stand up for our local area. Our rivers are being polluted on a daily
basis by water companies, showing a complete disregard for our environment. Enough is
enough, we need action before the river Trent is ruined forever.
"Rivers should be safe for swimming, fishing and sustaining wildlife. Yet today, they are filled
with raw sewage and human waste which will destroy them for decades to come. For some
areas, our rivers are a source of drinking water, yet today, they are a dumping ground for
water companies.
"I am proud Liberal Democrats in Parliament are leading the fight to protect our local rivers
and urge Bill Cash MP to change their mind ahead of the crucial next vote. We have just
one more opportunity to save our rivers and I call on Conservative MPs to do the right thing
for our local environment."
++
Read article by Ed Davey, Leader of The Liberal Democrats, on Why A Sewage Tax Is Needed