Green Party Deputy Rachel Millward Demands Water Nationalisation to Reverse Underinvestment

Rachel Millward, the Green Party's Deputy Leader, has declared England's privatised water system a "disaster," asserting that decades of "radical underinvestment" have left critical infrastructure failing. Ms Millward stated that only nationalisation can rectify the systemic issues, ensuring public funds are directed towards necessary upgrades rather than shareholder dividends.

Her comments underscore a long-standing critique from the Green Party regarding the efficacy and accountability of private water companies. The party argues that the current model prioritises profit extraction over essential infrastructure maintenance and environmental protection, leading to widespread pollution incidents and service disruptions across the country.

Ms Millward's call for nationalisation reflects a broader sentiment among some political factions that public ownership is the only viable path to guarantee reliable and environmentally sound water services for all citizens. This stance directly challenges the prevailing market-driven approach that has characterised the sector since its privatisation.