Woking’s Tory MP votes against plans to “name and shame” water companies killing animals with sewage

New "name and shame" law would have led to annual figures on animals killed by sewage dumps
- The Lib Dem proposal to take new action against water companies blocked by Conservative MPs
- Otters across England and Wales found to have been poisoned in rivers

Last night, the local MP for Woking voted against a new law which would have forced water companies to report on the number of animals killed by sewage dumps.
283 Tory MPs voted against the plans including Woking's MP, Jonathan Lord, versus 179 opposition MPs including the Lib Dems who voted in favour.

The vote follows toxic substances known as "forever chemicals", being detected in otters across England and Wales.
The Lib Dems tabled an amendment to the new Animal Sentients Bill which would have led to:

- Water companies forced to produce reports on the number of animals killed by toxic and sewage waste dumped in rivers.
- The Government being required to publish an annual report into the number of animals killed by poor water quality in rivers.
- The naming and shaming of water companies found to dump sewage in rivers which leads to animals being killed.

The Lib Dems have demanded an end to sewage dumping in rivers to prevent wildlife being killed and the environment being irreparably damaged. Despite Thames Water making a profit of £488.8 million last year, they regularly released sewage into the River Wey.

Lib Dem Councillor and the Party's Spokesperson for Woking, Will Forster, commented on the vote:

"It is appalling that Woking's Conservative MP has refused to take action against water companies. People around here are furious at how badly Thames Water treats our local environment."

"It is outrageous to think wildlife in our local rivers is being poisoned by disgusting raw sewage. It is time these water companies stopped polluting our rivers and pay for the mess they have made."

Lib Dem Rural Affairs spokesperson Tim Farron MP, said:

"Tory MPs should hang their heads in shame. Yet again they have let water companies off the hook whilst our precious rivers are pumped full of raw sewage."

"Enough is enough, we need to name and shame water companies which are being found to destroy precious wildlife habitat. It is scandalous that animals are swimming in filth and seeing their habitats become sewage traps."

"This is a national scandal. Time and time again Conservative MPs refuse to take tough action on water companies. When will they finally listen to the public and do the right thing before our rivers are damaged beyond repair?"