This article has been written by Daniel Brown and Alexia Louca.
Last Friday, 28 March, the Water (Private Member’s) Bill marked a historic milestone with its second reading in Parliament. Sponsored by Clive Lewis, Labour MP for Norwich South, the Bill sets bold targets for water regulation, ownership, climate resilience, and affordability. As water bills brace for a 26% hike this ‘awful April’, Clive’s legislation exposes the exploitation and neglect of our water system by private companies chasing profit—and charts a path to reclaim it.
The Water Bill demands world-class regulation, the restoration of water to high ecological standards, tough penalties for sewage leaks by private firms, and affordable, clean water for all. Its timing couldn’t be more urgent. In 2024 alone, private water companies dumped over 3.6 million hours of untreated sewage into our rivers, lakes, and seas—a sharp rise from the previous year. The verdict is clear: decades of privatisation have failed.
In a fiery House of Commons speech, Clive slammed the Government’s Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 as too weak, particularly on compensation for sewage spills. Decrying the legacy of privatisation—an ideology of “systemic exploitation for private gain” with a “vice-like grip” on British politics—he called for an alternative that serves “the many, not the few.” The neglect of our water, he argued, isn’t mere mismanagement but a “betrayal” of the public, starved of investment and accountability.
Central to the Bill is a vision of universal, affordable water access as a human right, achieved through democratic renewal, a point well made by Labour’s Chris Hinchliff. Clive proposes a citizens’ assembly to amplify public voices on water governance—a move met with both support and skepticism in the Commons. Carla Denyer praised its potential, noting she “really values the contribution that a citizens’ assembly can make,” while Ellie Chowns MP called resistance to it a symptom of “the weakness of the democracy we have.” Clive doubled down: “Assemblies strengthen democratic decision-making. They don’t weaken it.”
The Bill also establishes a new Water Commission, guided by the assembly’s recommendations on ownership and management. Integrating public input isn’t just symbolic—it’s essential. As Clive told Zero Hour after the debate, “People feel increasingly alienated from decision-making. They’re disempowered about their future.” Becky Malby of The People’s Commission on the Water Sector agrees: “In every well-run water system, the public is central to decisions. It’s exactly what the UK needs.” With water exploitation growing more blatant and perilous, the British public must shape its future. As Compass puts it, it’s #OurWaterOurWay.
Amid government policies that downplay environmental crises, efforts by forward-looking MP—and those of campaigning groups—are vital to forcing critical issues back into focus. This year, two visionary private members’ bills—the Climate and Nature Bill and the Water Bill—have sparked debate in the Commons. These bills matter. As Compass’ Lena Swedlow told Zero Hour, they “give MPs space to imagine what’s possible, telling the Government, ‘This is what we could be doing.’” She’s right. By contrast, the Water (Special Measures) Act shows how Government action can be “watered down,” dodging the bold steps we need.
As concerned citizens, we must rally behind MPs like Clive Lewis and campaigns like Compass’ #OurWaterOurWay alliance. “It’s time our water returned to the people,” Clive declared last Friday. “We can do better. We must. And we will.”
