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Davies:Missing Inaction

Shaun Davies and Labour’s Water Woes: A Tale of Empty Promises and Missed Votes



Let’s talk about Shaun Davies, the Labour MP for Telford, who proudly claims to be “Standing Up for Telford.” Well, on the 28th of January 2025, he was notably *not* standing up for Telford—or anyone else, for that matter—when it came to voting on the Water (Special Measures) Bill. In fact, he didn’t show up at all. And he wasn’t alone. Many of his Labour colleagues also failed to turn up, leaving critical amendments to the bill hanging in the balance. So much for standing up for clean water and environmental accountability.


The Water (Special Measures) Bill wasn’t just another piece of legislation. It was a chance to address the UK’s ongoing water crisis—a crisis that has seen rivers polluted, habitats destroyed, and water companies raking in profits while customers foot the bill for their failures. The amendments proposed were not just sensible; they were necessary. One key amendment would have ensured that fines imposed on water companies for their misconduct would directly result in reductions to customers’ bills. Another sought to establish a "Water Restoration Fund", using penalties paid by water companies to restore and protect water bodies, habitats, and ecosystems. These were popular, common-sense measures that would have made a real difference. Yet, Shaun Davies couldn’t be bothered to show up and vote.


This absence is particularly galling when you consider the pledges Davies has made. On his own website, he boasts about his commitment to a “Greener, Cleaner Telford,” promising to tackle pollution, hold water companies accountable, and restore natural habitats like the River Severn. He even talks about supporting Labour’s plan for clean rivers and stricter regulations. But when it came time to actually *do* something—to vote on legislation that would hold water companies accountable and protect our waterways—he was nowhere to be seen. It’s hard to square his lofty rhetoric with his complete lack of action.


And let’s not let Labour off the hook here. While Davies’ absence is disappointing, it’s part of a broader pattern within the party. Many Labour MPs also failed to support these critical amendments, raising serious questions about their commitment to solving the UK’s water problems. If Labour truly wants to position itself as the party of environmental responsibility and social justice, it needs to do more than just talk a good game. It needs to show up, vote, and fight for the changes it claims to support.


The Water (Special Measures) Bill was a litmus test for Labour’s environmental credentials, and frankly, they failed. Shaun Davies’ absence speaks volumes about his priorities—or lack thereof. If he’s serious about standing up for Telford, he needs to start showing up when it counts. And if Labour is serious about tackling the water crisis, it needs to stop treating environmental issues as a PR opportunity and start treating them as the urgent, existential challenges they are.


In the end, it’s not just about Shaun Davies or Labour. It’s about the people of Telford, the health of the River Severn, and the future of our waterways. When MPs fail to show up for votes like this, they’re failing all of us. And that’s something we shouldn’t forget come election time.

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