Labour conference motion calling for public ownership of water ruled out of scope

A Labour conference motion calling for the public ownership of water has been ruled out of scope, prompting an appeal from campaigners.

The motion, submitted jointly by Mainstream and SERA, was rejected on the grounds that it “does not relate to a new issue not substantially covered in the National Policy Forum report”.

However, campaigners argue the NPF report only briefly addresses the issue, stating that “different perspectives were offered around ownership and control models”.

SERA and Momentum are appealing the decision, pointing to Andy Burnham’s support for public control of water, as well as an upcoming Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee meeting on ownership models.

SERA co-chair Bill Eyres, who is the organisation’s delegate at conference, said: “It is incredibly important that we tackle the water crisis. This summer’s water shortages have shown that water is a critical public good and we need to radically transform the industry.

“It is one of life’s essentials and as an eco-socialist organisation we believe that it is has to be controlled for the public good.”

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A spokesperson for Mainstream said the ruling “seems to go against everything the government has signalled so far”, arguing that debating the motion would benefit the public, government and Labour Party.

“It would be a win-win for everyone – the public that want a water industry that works in their interest, the government that want to bring bills down, and the party that wants a more democratic, members-led culture again. 

“We hope the Conference Arrangements Committee will think again on the significance of letting members debate this on the conference floor.”

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