David Levy – Will Parliament do the job we elect it to do? – Feb 21

We place such incredible power and responsibility into the hands of our elected politicians to represent us in the seat of democracy, the Houses of Parliament.

Once there so many MPs fall into the trap of following a party line and they are whipped to tow the party line of obedience, with the result that they quickly forget their responsibility to those who elected them.   Most get away with so-called action which merely involves passing on concerns and letters from constituents to the Ministries and then relaying the answers back.

It reminds me of a Quadrille, a dance that follows moves and procedures and where all know their place in the dance.   The unfortunate ones amongst us who do not realise these limitations are almost destined to be disappointed, that is unless our MP has more drive and passion to push things further.

That is where Marinet is now.

We have engaged MPs and a Parliamentary Committee to look at the issue of river water safety and the outflows to the sea by water companies.   These water companies have been ignoring public health safety for the past decade and now look on course, via a possible agreement already made between DEFRA officials and themselves, to improve the quality of their discharges at the water companies’ own pace.

Marinet is stating very clearly that this pace is too slow because the signs are already there, without considering COVID19, that diseases, viruses and bacteria are on the upward trajectory and lives are being put at risk. 

So why would water companies do such a thing?

The plain and simple answer is that water companies are traded in as utility blue-ribbon stocks and shares which plough dividends into the pension portfolios around the country, and it is clear that a decision has already been made which seems to effectively place this practice above the potential for plague-type conditions for our general populace.

You all should know because in order to improve this situation the powers to be in Westminster must know that they have made a mistake, and that they need to rectify this situation via outstanding improvements in the water industry now.

You can read the submission which we have made to the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee.   It is listed on our website Environmental Audit Committee February 2021.pdf and on our Bathing Waters Campaign Page.

David Levy