Alison Bennett's Monday Mail: Severe drought declared

Severe drought declared

On Friday I caught up with local NFU members at Rob’s farm near Bolney. We talked about the disastrous closure of the SFI fund after just six hours, rising prices, wellbeing and mental health, and the financial pressures that are making it ever harder for farmers to make a living. We also spent a considerable amount of time talking about the drought.

While I was there, the Water Minister was in the Commons giving a statement following the Government’s declaration of a severe drought in parts of East and West Sussex. With Ardingly Reservoir less than 20% full, the situation is extremely concerning. I support the Government’s decision to increase monitoring of water levels and the steps they are taking to protect public water supplies.

It’s not just farmers who are worried. I have heard from businesses that rely on water to trade, and I know that many people are angry and frustrated about usage restrictions when South East Water has failed to fix leaks, household bills continue to rise, and the Government is insisting on higher housing targets for Mid Sussex. 

That said, small changes we each make to reduce our water use can make a difference in the coming weeks. There is practical advice on the Let’s Save Water website if you want to find out more. So, even if you have lost all sympathy with the water companies, we need to preserve the water we have now for each other. Whilst South East Water is saying that standpipes are unlikely to be needed, trying to be a bit more careful about the water we are using will only help.

Saving water at home is not a substitute for water companies tackling leaks and investing properly in their infrastructure, but it is one practical way we can all help protect supplies for our communities and the environment while these exceptionally dry conditions continue.

How to spot a quality politician

I am often asked whether I like being an MP, and I do. One reason is that the vast majority of my MP colleagues are, contrary to popular opinion, really decent and impressive people. One such decent person is Jamie Stone, who is a fellow Lib Dem and represents a huge seat in the Scottish Highlands (which includes the Traitors castle). Jamie had heart surgery in the summer, and it was lovely to see him back in Westminster last week. Bearing out my theory that Parliament has lots of good people in it, I was pleased to stumble upon an article by Jamie where he explained how to spot a quality politician and was glowing about a Labour MP in the process.

Jeffrey Archer and Ian Hislop

I briefly met Jeffrey Archer in the 1990s when I was a teenager. On the news of his death, I read the odd obituary, but I did appreciate Private Eye’s podcast last week, which despite giving a thumbs down to Lib Dem Conference, did justice to Archer, and ends with an enjoyable interview with the magazine’s editor, Ian Hislop who is celebrating 40 years in the role. 

You can listen here: Page 94

Getting in touch

My parliamentary email address is: alison.bennett.mp@parliament.uk. If you need my help, please get in touch.

Best wishes,
Alison

PS: If you’ve enjoyed this week’s Monday Mail, please spread the word and tell your friends by forwarding it to them. Anyone can sign up here.