2024 Rivers & Seas Winner - Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb
About the category
This category recognises UK politicians who have done the most to protect our waters.
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 waterways, rivers or seas.
This year, Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb was presented with the Rivers & Seas award for continually holding the Government to account over sewage overspills in British rivers.
This year, the Rivers & Seas Award is sponsored by River Action. You can find more information about their campaign to protect Britain's rivers here.
The 2024 Rivers & Seas Shortlist
Barry Gardiner MP
Barry Gardiner MP
Barry Gardiner MP
In May 2024, Gardiner was a signatory of an open letter to Ofwat, addressing concerns at rising water bills despite sewage leaks and pollution. He has also spoken in Parliament in support of the Global Oceans Treaty. His work on the issue has been recognised by campaigners who identified him as one of the most important politicians for protecting Britain’s rivers and seas.
Sarah Olney MP
Barry Gardiner MP
Barry Gardiner MP
In September 2023, Olney chaired a Westminster Hall debate into holding water companies to account for sewage overflows. The Richmond Park MP also challenged the Minister for Water Quality and Resilience to explain why the then Government had been ignoring local residents who have overwhelmingly demanded that Thames Water stop development
In September 2023, Olney chaired a Westminster Hall debate into holding water companies to account for sewage overflows. The Richmond Park MP also challenged the Minister for Water Quality and Resilience to explain why the then Government had been ignoring local residents who have overwhelmingly demanded that Thames Water stop development proposals. In April 2024, she put forward a Bill to require the Secretary of State to apply for an order for special administration in relation to Thames Water.
Tim Farron MP
Barry Gardiner MP
Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb
Farron has been outspoken on river protection, condemning ‘dry spilling’ by water firms and calling on the government to hold the firms criminally responsible. Farron was central to the announcement of an expansion of marine protected areas and a new Blue Flag status for rivers in the Liberal Democrat 2024 general election manifesto
Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb
Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb
Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb
Baroness Jenny Jones is a member of River Action’s Advisory Board. She was vocal in promoting River Action’s Charter for Rivers, launched in parliament in July 2023, which was backed by over 70 organisations, highlight the threats to our rivers and drawing attention to the actions the government must take to restore our rivers to health b
Baroness Jenny Jones is a member of River Action’s Advisory Board. She was vocal in promoting River Action’s Charter for Rivers, launched in parliament in July 2023, which was backed by over 70 organisations, highlight the threats to our rivers and drawing attention to the actions the government must take to restore our rivers to health by 2030. In 2024, she has held the government to account by asking questions in Parliament over Thames water and sewage pollution and has consistently campaigned for higher environmental standards.
Steve Rotheram
Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb
Steve Rotheram
As Mayor of Liverpool, Rotheram has been addressing the pollution in the River Mersey. Through setting up the campaign ‘Discharge
free 2030’, Steve has outlined his ambition to rid the River Mersey of sewage discharges. The work accomplished so far has been described as the “greatest river recovery in Europe