2025 Rivers & Seas Award Nominees
About the Category
Sponsored by River Action, this category recognises UK politicians who have done the most to protect our rivers and seas. The ideal candidate will have gone above and beyond the role expected of them to promote policies which protect marine environments, or limit immediate damage to British waters. Last year, this category was awarded to Baroness Jenny Jones of Moulsecoomb for her work in promoting River Action’s Charter for Rivers.
The 2025 Rivers & Seas Shortlist
Ellie Chowns MP
Ellie Chowns MP
Ellie Chowns MP
Ellie Chowns founded the APPG on Water Pollution within months of her election last year, and currently acts as its Co-Chair. The APPG aims to promote understanding of the causes and impacts of, and solutions to, water pollution — all while facilitating cross-party parliamentary action. Chowns has been a particularly strong advocate for t
Ellie Chowns founded the APPG on Water Pollution within months of her election last year, and currently acts as its Co-Chair. The APPG aims to promote understanding of the causes and impacts of, and solutions to, water pollution — all while facilitating cross-party parliamentary action. Chowns has been a particularly strong advocate for the River Wye, supporting the River Wye Manifesto in May 2024 which calls for urgent action to address pollution from agricultural runoff, especially from intensive poultry farming in the catchment. She has also introduced her own Water Bill, focusing on strengthening regulations around agricultural pollution and ensuring water companies make necessary infrastructure investments.
Clive Lewis MP
Ellie Chowns MP
Ellie Chowns MP
Clive Lewis has proposed significant structural reforms to water management through his Water Bill introduced in October 2024. This legislation would fundamentally transform the water industry by bringing water companies into public ownership, establishing new regional water authorities, and creating a national water agency to coordinate the sector.
Tim Farron MP
Tim Farron MP
Tim Farron MP
Tim Farron has been a persistent advocate for tackling sewage dumping and improving water management. In January 2025, he led a Westminster Hall debate on water quality, where he presented comprehensive evidence of water company failures. Farron has called for tougher restrictions on water companies and argued that "water firm river pollu
Tim Farron has been a persistent advocate for tackling sewage dumping and improving water management. In January 2025, he led a Westminster Hall debate on water quality, where he presented comprehensive evidence of water company failures. Farron has called for tougher restrictions on water companies and argued that "water firm river pollution fines must be spent on rivers" rather than going to the Treasury.
Steve Reed MP
Tim Farron MP
Tim Farron MP
Steve Reed has been a driving force behind landmark legislation to address water pollution. In February 2025, the Water Special Measures Bill championed by Reed received Royal Assent. This groundbreaking legislation significantly enhances the powers of water sector regulators to tackle pollution and hold water companies accountable. The A
Steve Reed has been a driving force behind landmark legislation to address water pollution. In February 2025, the Water Special Measures Bill championed by Reed received Royal Assent. This groundbreaking legislation significantly enhances the powers of water sector regulators to tackle pollution and hold water companies accountable. The Act gives regulators new powers to block executive bonuses at failing water companies and introduces criminal liability for water company bosses who permit serious pollution incidents