Politicians in Oxfordshire are demanding a water company stops its "environmental vandalism" with some going against the position of their party nationally as they call for the service to be brought into public ownership.
Thames Water, the British private utility company responsible for the water supply and waste water treatment in Oxfordshire, has faced increased scrutiny from politicians and householders in recent weeks.
The King's Speech this week announced measures to strengthen regulation of the water industry including making company bosses face personal criminal liability for breaking laws on water quality.
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A major investigation has also been launched by regulator Ofwat into whether water companies' sewage treatment works are polluting the environment.
This comes after householders and politicians in the county have complained of dumping of sewage in rivers as well as a price hike in water bills.
Sewage was dumped into rivers in Oxfordshire for 56,068 hours in 2023 according to a study which amounted to a 297 per cent rise in the duration of sewage spills compared to the previous year.
The local Labour group in Oxford did not vote in line with the position of its leader Sir Keir Starmer on Monday (July 15) this week in a full city council meeting, after Sir Keir said nationalisation was "not consistent" with fiscal rules.
Oxford Labour, along with the Greens, amended a motion from the Liberal Democrats as they incorporated calls to nationalise Thames Water.
Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats were more in line with the Prime Minister's position, and said it should become a public benefit company rather than being nationalised.
Speaking to us, Layla Moran, who is Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, said she thought renationalisation of the company would "not best achieve aims" to improve its service.
Ms Moran added: “Liberal Democrats want to end the sewage scandal in Oxfordshire by transforming Thames Water into a public benefit company.
“As a public benefit company, Thames Water would no longer prioritise profit over the environment, the company’s boards would be reformed to include environment experts, and the company would become far more open and transparent to the public.
“The current system is broken. But with these reforms, the Liberal Democrats would put an end to Thames Water’s environmental vandalism.”
Olly Glover, the newly elected Liberal Democrat MP for Didcot & Wantage, shared Ms Moran's sentiment.
He said: "There are problems with the full nationalisation of the water companies, not least the impact that would have on the public finances, as the government would assume responsibility for the massive debts they have accrued.
"However, I would like to see them turned into public benefit companies, whereby the water regulator would force them to be run for the good of the environment, as well as for profit.
"This would also require the replacement of Ofwat with a regulator that has more teeth."
We approached Labour Oxfordshire MPs Anneliese Dodds and Sean Woodcock for their view but are yet to receive a response.
We also asked Labour city council deputy leader Anna Railton why the Labour group in Oxford took a different view to their party's national leader.
Ms Railton said: "It’s clear to anybody who lives in Oxford that the current model for the way Thames Water operates does not work.
"We are calling for immediate action to fundamentally change the model for how Thames Water operates."
Speaking after the council meeting, Osney & St Thomas ward Labour councillor Susanna Pressel said: “Certainly we should nationalise Thames Water – but it must be at zero cost to the Treasury.
"There should be no public subsidies for private failures.
"I hope the new government will insist that Thames Water meets the various targets that have been set for them.
"When they fail to do so, they will apparently be driven into Special Administration, which is what we want."
Meanwhile, Nick Field-Johnson, Conservative representative for Burford & Carterton North, spoke passionately against the company at a full county council meeting on Tuesday, July 9 in relation to a cross-party motion of no confidence in Thames Water.
Mr Field-Johnson also bucked the trend with regard to his party's view nationally, saying himself that his position differed.
Mr Field-Johnson said: "We all agree that Thames Water continues to be a walking disaster."
The Conservative suggested he thought "some sort of public ownership" might be a solution.
Environmental groups in Oxfordshire have also called for the company to be put into Special Administration.
A spokesman for Oxford Friends of the Earth, Chris Church, said he had written to the secretary of state for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
In his letter, Mr Church said: "We ask for Thames Water to be put in Special Administration, with a new team of directors and ultimately new owners, with a full assessment of developing a company model that has public health as its’ primary goal rather than short-term profit."
A Thames Water spokesman said: “Thames Water has put forward an ambitious plan for the next five years that focuses on what our customers and stakeholders told us were their priorities.
"We asked for £19.8bn of total expenditure to maintain reliable supplies of safe, high quality drinking water and to take away and effectively treat wastewater across London, the Thames Valley and Home Counties now and in the future.
“Within this we put forward record investment to improve infrastructure, meet new environmental standards and reduce river pollution.
"Our plan will also improve the resilience of our critical infrastructure in the face of challenges such as climate change and population growth.
“We believe our plan is ambitious, deliverable, financeable and investible. It is also underpinned by a package to support over 500,000 customers with reduced bills.”
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About the author
Noor is the Local Democracy Reporter for Oxfordshire who covers political stories from across the county.
She began working as a journalist in Oxford in September 2023 having graduated from the University of Oxford.
Noor was trained at the News Associates journalism school and can be found on X through the handle @NoorJQurashi
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