2026: Week 37: South West Water and Remembering 9/11
Although the debates in Parliament have slowed down due to conference season, I have still had a hugely busy week.
On Monday I spoke in a Westminster Hall debate discussing a petition asking for a referendum on public ownership of water companies.
It was a very well attended debate, with lots of valuable contributions from MPs of all parties. I spoke about how South West Water are paying enormous dividends to their shareholders whilst allowing their infrastructure to decline. I spoke about how water companies should move to a public and consumer ownership model. I also spoke about the tragic case of Heather Preen, who sadly lost her life from an E. coli infection after bathing in the sea at Dawlish Warren in 1999. Her story was covered in the documentary Dirty Business which was aired on Channel 4 earlier this year and brought the failings of our privatised water companies into full focus.
Although the Minister did not commit to any specific actions at the end of the debate, she did make it clear that the Government are looking at several options around how to restore public trust in water companies and to improve public health, which was why the UK’s water system was originally put in place. She also commented that with the new PM, options were on the table that had previously been ruled out. Again, no specifics were mentioned.
I, along with my Lib Dem colleagues will continue to press for change in this sector as the current model just isn’t working.
Earlier this month, I learned about an extraordinary event that some of our local fire fighters had been invited to.
A team from Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service travelled to Atlanta, where they lead the Terry Farell Patriot Memorial Stair Climb at Truist Park to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks.
In total 236 firefighters from the UK were given the great honour of leading the climb and carrying the ceremonial steel from the structure of the Twin Towers. During the feat they each climbed more than 2,000 steps to represent the 110 floors climbed on September the 11th inside the WTC. They did this in full firefighting gear and carried a lanyard to represent the 343 firefighters who sadly lost their lives that day.
I was honoured that these fire fighters shared their story with me, you will be able to find some photos of them completing this amazing feat on my social media pages.
Finally, I was dismayed to hear about the abuse and intimidation that has recently been directed towards the RNLI from far-right protestors.
The RNLI has been saving lives at sea for more than 200 years. Its members are mostly volunteers who risk their lives to respond to emergencies at sea and keep people safe. They deserve our respect and gratitude.
Over the weekend I visited RNLI Teignmouth to express my support for them and all RNLI volunteers. As a coastal constituency the RNLI provides an essential service, and they told me they have received many messages of support, which is very encouraging.
I have also signed an Early Day Motion celebrating the work of the RNLI and urging the Government to continue their support so that the RNLI can act with courage, compassion and without discrimination as they have done for years.