THE leader of the Liberal Democrats has slammed the Conservatives for letting water companies "off the hook" before visiting Winchester for a dog walk.

Sir Ed Davey said the Tories had "failed" on water pollution issues as he announced his party's plans for tackling sewage and regulation of the water industry.

Speaking on Saturday, May 25, as he hit the campaign trail in Chichester, West Sussex, the party leader said the public were “alarmed” about the damage being done to rivers and seas in the UK and that it was an environmental, public health and economic issue.

In the run-up to the General Election, the Lib Dems have unveiled plans to abolish Ofwat and introduce a new water regulator to tackle the sewage crisis and claimed that party analysis shows water company bosses have pocketed some £54 million in bonuses since 2019.

According to the Environment Agency, sewage spills into England’s rivers and seas more than doubled in 2023 with 3.6 million hours of spills last year – equal to about 400 years – compared with 1.75 million hours in 2022.

Sir Ed then visited Winchester where he discussed the rarity and importance of the local chalk streams on a dog walk with supporters and party candidate Danny Chambers.

Hampshire Chronicle: Sir Ed Davey, Lib Dem leader, with parliamentary candidate for Winchester and Chandler's Ford Danny Chambers.Sir Ed Davey, Lib Dem leader, with parliamentary candidate for Winchester and Chandler's Ford Danny Chambers. (Image: PA)

The leader laughed as he cuddled a golden retriever and fed treats to dogs sporting bandanas bearing the party logo and joked: “It’s not a bad day at work is it?”

Speaking to the PA news agency, Sir Ed said: “The Liberal Democrats have been leading the campaign to highlight the problem for several years now and think we’ve really made traction and really exposed how the Conservative Government keeps failing people on this issue.

“Failing to get tougher regulations, failing to fine the water companies properly, failing to reform them and starting to get tough on them and stop this appalling pollution.”

In visiting Chichester, the party leader said he hoped to highlight that pollution in the local waterways was impacting upon local tourism and small businesses as well as the environment.

Hampshire Chronicle: Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey and Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Jess Brown-Fuller during his visit to Birdham Pool Marina, Chichester.Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey and Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Jess Brown-Fuller during his visit to Birdham Pool Marina, Chichester. (Image: PA)

Sir Ed continued: “It’s a public health issue, it’s environment issue, it’s a public health issue and animal health issue.

“It’s an economic issue because if you go to places like this, you will find the link with the economic side of the place is huge. It’s a massive issue with the small businesses.

“So the Tories have let these large big water companies off the hook by not being tough on them, and it’s hitting the small businesses.”