Green Party Co-Deputy Leader Calls England and Wales Water System a ‘Catastrophic Failure’

Green Party co‑deputy leader Rachel Millward has announced that her party will nationalise water companies across England and Wales, dismissing Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s proposals to bring them under public control as “vague”.

Speaking to the BBC, Millward described the nation’s water system as an “absolutely unmitigated disaster”, citing decades of “radical underinvestment”.

She said Burnham’s plan – which would remove caps on government share ownership in water firms and grant mayors greater oversight powers – does not go far enough.

The Green Party of England and Wales has long advocated public ownership of water utilities, branding privatisation a failed experiment.

According to its 2024 manifesto, the party estimates that nationalising water firms and the five largest retail energy providers would cost £30 billion over a five‑year parliamentary term.

The government, however, estimated last year that nationalising the water industry would cost roughly £100 billion, external.

Millward is slated to deliver a speech on the party’s newest water‑nationalisation policy – including funding mechanisms – at the Green Party conference in Brighton this weekend.

The comments come as the government contemplates nationalising Thames Water, which is currently grappling with a severe financial crisis.

In the run‑up to the conference, Millward has been conducting a series of interviews with local BBC radio stations across England.

Under Zack Polanski’s leadership, the party’s “eco‑populism” brand has emerged as a challenge to Labour on the political left in Britain.

Labour’s poll numbers have risen sharply in recent months, indicating that Burnham may be winning back voters who had previously shifted to Polanski’s party.

Millward highlighted a “historic successful year” for the party, citing a by‑election victory in Gorton and Denton and strong performances in May’s local elections.

She told BBC Radio Newcastle that without the Greens’ rise, Sir Keir Starmer – who was removed as prime minister by his own MPs – would still be in power.

“We can take credit for that,” she added.

She noted that Labour’s rhetoric had “shifted in our direction” under Burnham.

Looking ahead, Millward said the Greens would pressure the Labour government to go further, continuing to advocate rent controls, water‑company nationalisation and wealth taxes.

However, Millward encountered difficult local‑issue queries, some of which she could not answer.

BBC Radio WM questioned her about the Birmingham bin strikes, where a minority coalition of Liberal Democrats, Greens and independents governs the council.

She explained that she “hadn’t been given enough information to answer that question” and apologised repeatedly.

“I’m sorry it’s not in my briefing; it should have been,” she said. “I’m happy to return another time and discuss it.”

These local BBC radio rounds can be challenging, with presenters often probing issues specific to their regions.

Millward appeared most at ease discussing national topics, asserting that the Greens “have the power to set the agenda for this government” and hold Burnham to account.

The Greens currently hold five MPs and hundreds of councillors nationwide.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski is standing in the Holborn and St Pancras by‑election, scheduled for next week. A full candidate list can be found on the BBC website.

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