Almost half of Brits wouldn’t swim in sea as MP for Torbay slams “damning indictment” of the state of our waterways

Steve Darling, the Liberal Democrat MP for Torbay, has said that the findings of a Liberal Democrat poll is a “damning indictment” on the state of British seas, and that they are “saddened but not surprised” by the results of the research.

A new poll commissioned by the Liberal Democrats, undertaken by Savanta, has found that nearly half of Brits (44%) would never swim in the sea during the summer.

The polling also found that 19% of respondents said that even if the Government hit its target of halving sewage spills by 2030, they would actually be less likely to swim in the sea and 45% of respondents said they would not swim in the sea at all.

Steve has been a steadfast voice in the fight to end the sewage scandal. Since his election last year, he’s taken decisive action, holding South West Water to account over its controversial Seasonal Tariff Trial. Working in concert with fellow Liberal Democrat MPs across the region, he played a key role in demanding the resignation of South West Water’s CEO and calling for the abolition of the regulator OFWAT.

Steve has called on the Government to do more to protect our “invaluable” waterways, and says that the new regulator has to be established as soon as possible and given the powers it needs to hold water companies accountable for sewage dumping. 

Steve added:

“This polling is a damning indictment of the state of our invaluable waterways. Many of us across Torbay love heading to the beach and should be enjoying a dip this summer, but because of uncontrolled sewage dumping are missing out.

“I am saddened but not surprised by these findings. Serially-polluting water companies have been let off the hook for too long. The Government has got to act more quickly and with greater ambition if they are to reverse the damage caused by the former Conservative government’s negligence.

“And incredibly, in Torbay there are local Conservative councillors openly denying the existence of this as a problem in spite of the overwhelming evidence. 

“Labour needs to get a grip on this coastline crisis. They can start by getting a new water regulator set up as soon as possible, with the powers it needs to truly hold water companies accountable. Tougher fines, levied swiftly, are needed to hold sewage dumpers criminally responsible for their mistreatment of our seas and rivers.”