Sending out an SOS: WaterAid launches its manifesto for the UK general election

28 September 2009

With the party conference season in full swing, WaterAid has launched its Manifesto for the UK general election ( PDF 828KB) which calls on the next Prime Minister and government to lead international efforts to tackle the global water and sanitation crisis.

In a bid to make politicians really sit up and take notice, the manifesto is being sent out in a water bottle to drive home the message that water and sanitation are critical to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

To make the message even stronger we are asking people to write short messages to local politicians to show their concern about the crisis. Find out how you can get involved by sending a message or meeting a local politician.

The first messages in a bottle have already been presented to Andrew Mitchell, Shadow Secretary of State for International Development, and to Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats.

The manifesto highlights WaterAid's five key calls to the UK government to help end the crisis and also outlines the ways in which MPs and prospective parliamentary candidates can get involved.

According to Campaigns Manager Kate Turner: "UK politicians have tackled a water and sanitation crisis before – 150 years ago they laid the foundations for this country's health and prosperity by setting up water and sanitation services for all. Now we're asking them to help do the same for some of the world's poorest communities."

She continued, "our supporters want to see their elected representatives championing sustainable solutions to poverty. Any gains made in the areas of health, education and economic growth will be undermined without investing in safe water and sanitation, the building blocks of development."

As well as asking the government to honour financial commitments to water and sanitation, the manifesto also calls for a UK international climate change policy to support governments to develop approaches and new technologies that will help communities in the developing world to cope and adapt in the face of increasing water stress.

For more information on the WaterAid manifesto contact the Campaigns Team on 020 7793 4594 or at campaigns@wateraid.org