Clean River Action is committed to ensuring that the health of the River Soar, the River Sence, and all Leicestershire waterways is treated as a priority by decision‑makers. Parliamentary debates on water quality and sewage pollution are a vital part of that accountability.
On 14th September 2026, Parliament held a national petition debate on the future of the water sector, following more than 200,000 signatures calling for a referendum on water ownership. The debate addressed issues central to river health, including sewage discharges, regulatory oversight, and the performance of water companies.
On the same day, several Leicestershire MPs were in Westminster for a Downing Street event concerning proposed changes to local government boundaries. Their attendance at this event confirms they were present in London and available for parliamentary business.
None of the MPs representing Leicester or Leicestershire attended or contributed to the water‑referendum debate.
Given the ongoing pollution challenges in our local rivers and the strong public interest in water quality, constituents reasonably expected representation in this national discussion.
Clean River Action invites our local MPs to explain their decision not to attend the debate and to set out how they intend to engage with future parliamentary scrutiny relating to water quality, sewage pollution, and river protection.
We remain committed to constructive, evidence‑based dialogue with all elected representatives and will continue to monitor parliamentary engagement on issues affecting the health of our rivers.