Cllr Alexi Dimond replies to Abtisam Mohamed MP’s opinion piece in the Sheffield Star.
Dear editor,
I was pleased to read Abtisam Mohamed MP’s opinion piece in The Star calling for the renationalisation of water – which has been Green Party policy for decades.
I also noted its impeccable timing to coincide with the Walkley by-election (where water leaks are a huge issue). I find it ironic though that Ms Mohamed fails to recognise the biggest obstacle to water renationalisation is her own Labour Party which has been in government from 1997 to 2010 and 2024 to now. Labour has resisted the policy even as water companies have failed to invest in infrastructure, paid billions in dividends to their shareholders, and pumped our waterways and seas full of sewage.
Similarly, Ms Mohamed has managed to raise the profile of Israel’s ongoing genocide in Palestine in Parliament – without ever truly acknowledging her own Party’s role in that genocide. It is well documented that the UK government sells weapons to Israel, shares intelligence information, protects Israel from any accountability internationally, and sends spy-planes from its base in Cyprus to support Israel; which remains a key strategic military and economic ally under the Labour Government.
If voters – or Ms Mohamed – wanted to support water renationalisation (or end the UK’s participation in genocide), surely they would vote for (or even join) another party rather than Labour?
Ms Mohamed knows full well that Andy Burnham (who has already backtracked on renationalising Thames Water) is not going to pay any attention to a petition started by a Labour local election candidate for the purpose of electioneering. However, a Green win for Seb Van Bilsen Irias in Walkley (and Green gains across the country) could perhaps spur the Labour Government into action.
Yours,
Councillor Alexi Dimond
