WaterAid encourages MPs to play their part during party conference season

The panel at the Spend a penny, save millions fringe event.

Credit: WaterAid

16 October 2009

Over the past few weeks Wateraid has been busy hobnobbing with politicians at the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat Party Conferences. These events offered a perfect opportunity to distribute WaterAid's Manifesto for the UK general election at a time when the election is in the forefront of all politicians minds.

To support the End Water Poverty campaign, WaterAid, together with UNICEF and World Vision, also held a fringe meeting at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester entitled 'Spend a penny, save millions: International policy in the downturn'. The event provided an interesting and engaging discussion on the water and sanitation crisis. Mark Lancaster MP, Shadow Minister for International Development, acknowledged that water and sanitation should move up the political agenda and stated that he will lobby to ensure that this happens. Fiona Harvey (Environmental Correspondent at the Financial Times), chaired the event, while WaterAid's Director of Policy and Campaigns, Margaret Batty and World Vision's International Director of Emergency Health, Mesfin Teklu, also sat on the panel to provide an overview of the crisis and urge Conservative MPs to champion water and sanitation.

Over to you! Help get our manifesto read by more politicians by showing them that the people who are voting for them are concerned about the water and sanitation crisis. Take action by writing a short message to, or meeting with, local politicians to ensure that the UK Prime Minister and Government lead international efforts to tackle the water and sanitation crisis.