He seems to have a new, unexpected “headache”. Rishi Sunak and his government. Part of British society is outraged discharge and abandonment of untreated sewage in UK rivers and coasts under the responsibility of private water companies. The pictures have angered both locals and vacationers, as many once “magnificent” British beaches have turned into hotbeds of pollution.

In light of the above events, three English newspapers are promoting campaigns in favor of water disinfection, and the responsible minister for the environment is announcing measures to improve water quality. These measures include fines for water companies that do not comply with the rules.

However, it seems that this statement is not enough to quell the public outcry. After all, the issue is a hot topic in British society, with Conservative MPs living in the affected coastal and rural areas. they are afraid of political costs in connection with the upcoming elections.

Indicative is the statement of the Conservative deputy, who emphasizes that the problem of sewerage may not be dominant and not the most frequently raised by voters, but it is precisely this issue that is treated most caustically and caustically.

It is worth noting that England is the only country in the world where water supply and sanitation are completely privatized.. In particular, since the late 1980s, its control has passed to large regional monopolies that are not very popular in English society.

Chronicles

Water companies often release their raw sewage into rivers and coastlines, which is theoretically permitted in “exceptional cases” such as when sewers overflow due to heavy rains. If wastewater is not properly treated first, companies are breaking the law.

Figures released last week by the Environmental Protection Agency have again drawn attention to the magnitude of the sewage leak problem and once again put the government in the face of “hostile” press coverage. This adds to the “headache” that has plagued the Tories since 2021, when an online campaign on the issue went viral after they were accused in an article of passing laws to benefit companies that dump their wastewater on coasts and rivers.

Dozens of MPs have been harassed for allegedly “blocking” an opposition bill aimed at curbing arbitrary corporate action. At the time, conservative MPs called the opposition’s proposal “territorial” and denounced the posts “aimed” at them.

Political reshuffling over sewerage

As local elections approach in May, ministers are concerned about their political future, and for the first time the issue of water has become the focus of pre-election dialogue.

The issue was politically “managed” by the Greens, who increased their political influence in those constituencies, and by the Liberals advancing their own positions, as well as by Labor.

“Citizens are truly horrified by the amount of raw sewage they see being dumped into their seas.”, notes the Labor candidate in the Conservative-held Hastings and Rye constituencies. She complains that seaside restaurants have been hurt by a decline in tourist traffic, citing cases of residents who had to go to the hospital after swimming in the sea.

At the same time, other Tory figures are confident that in the end, most citizens will be convinced, with the exception of some marginal groups of activists. The fact that Teresa Coffey, a close associate of Liz Truss and one of the least popular members of the government, has fallen on the shoulders of Teresa Coffey is problematic nonetheless.

In fact, she is under fire from many quarters, not only because of the wastewater, but also because of her failure to present a credible carbon reduction plan and because of her strained relationship with the National Farmers Union.

In the run-up to the election, Kofi doesn’t seem to have much time left to reverse the “stink wave” that has swept through her party.

Source: Politico