During PMQs on Wednesday 3 May, Munira challenged Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on river pollution in the River Thames.
Munira told the story of Nick, a wild swimmer who became dangerously ill after swimming in the River Thames at Shepperton, which doctors believe was caused by contaminated water.
In her question, Munira asked, “What caused that polluted water? Well, it’s because Thames Water dumped filthy sewage just days earlier nearby.”
Munira asked the Prime Minister how he can allow these disgusting spills to continue for another 25 years. The following week, Munira spoke about Nick’s case to ITV London News (read more here).
Outside of Parliament, Munira has continued to hold Thames Water to account on their plans to tackle water shortages by pumping treated sewage into the river above Teddington Lock. On 27 April, she joined local river stakeholders at a Thames Water Q&A. It was a lively discussion about the plans, and representatives from local sporting, environmental and island resident groups asked Thames Water some tough questions.
Munira and the MP for Richmond Park, Sarah Olney, have also written to the Government’s Environment Minister Rebecca Pow requesting a meeting to discuss Thames Water’s plans. They still have not heard back – despite the fact that the Minister appeared at an event in Barnes to talk about river health.
Please visit Munira’s Thames Water campaign page here for more information on what Munira has been doing to hold Thames Water and the Government to account on the plans at Teddington Lock. You can also learn more about the Liberal Democrats national campaign on the water industry – with a special focus on the scandals around sewage and water quality.