27 May 2025
As campaigners, we rarely if ever find ourselves at the football. But on Tuesday 20th May we did, joining the jubilant crowds who had come to Crystal Palace's final home game of the season - one rounded off with a fantastic FA Cup victory.
Outside Selhurst Park Stadium in South London, we talked to football fans about Steve Reed MP, the Environment Minister and Crystal Palace supporter who refused to join us at the game just next to his own constituency.
For a fortnight Lois Davis, Steve's constituent, had been asking him to join her at the match. She wanted to talk to him about the water crisis.
A man selling merchandise in a Crystal Palace hat waved his hand in a spiral as he described the downward slide into corruption, the “degradation” in his words, of politics. He wasn’t surprised that Steve Reed had been taken to the football by privatised water bosses, but he was angry.
An older man came up to us, furious about his water bills, describing how they’ve almost doubled recently. He didn’t trust Steve either.
These football fans were echoing things that people up and down the country have said.
Politicians are listening to corporations when they should be listening to people like Lois - one of the 82% of us who think water should be in public ownership.
They are protecting the profits of privatised water companies instead of protecting our rivers, our seas, our bills.
People are right to be furious.
Lois was furious too. She knows that her MP Steve Reed accepted £1786 in hospitality from privatised water bosses. That he had gone to a football match with them. That Ministers meet with the private sector 23 times more often than with consumer groups. He could have come to join the celebrations, and talk with his constituent. But he ignored her invitation, despite her asking him repeatedly.
We were there on Tuesday — but where was Steve?
Here's Lois' final video, from inside the stadium. We also filmed a longer video with Cat and Lois outside the ground. Have a look - it explains in more detail all the ways Steve Reed is VERY wrong about water.
He shouldn't be allowed get away with this.
- This is a politician who says he values cooperative ownership, who is a member of the Cooperative Party. Yet he won’t even listen to the arguments for public ownership.
- This is a politician who has made YOU pay more instead of refusing to allow a bailout of Thames Water by bringing it into public ownership.
- This is a politician who repeats out of date, inaccurate information about the cost of nationalisation, while being wined and dined by privatised water.
We suggested to our amazing supporters that if this makes them angry, then they should write to Steve in his ministerial office - not a template email but a polite, strongly worded letter in their own words - and we would share them on our website. And they did! To date more than 90 people have let Steve know how they feel. You can read some of them in the Comments section at the end of this article.
So why did we do this?
Campaigns like this one our supporters made happen are about building pressure on politicians and journalists.
With every view or share, they and you are showing that people are willing to stand up to the powerful interests of privatised utilities, and win public services that work for people not profit.
And when ordinary people speak truth to power the media gets interested. Lois even made it onto ITV News!
Coverage like that, with our We Own It's Matthew Topham on TalkTV, shows that when you create new ways to hold politicians to account, it gets the message out.
What can you do?
- Sign our petition and let Steve know that you want to see public ownership of water included in the water commission enquiry into the sector
- Join our mailing list and add your voice to the thousands of people who want to see public services in public hands
- Read our blog post explaining why the government's arguments against public ownership of water don't stack up.
Comments
Kaz 3 weeks ago
Hey, Steve Reed!
How you doing?
Didn't know you liked football - did you have a fantastic time at Crystal Palace? Must have been lovely smooching in the '£1786' zone, well away from the people on the terraces facing HUGE water bill rises!
Heard you got an invitation to go back to watch them again. But you didn't want to go?
Please can you let me know why -
I'd appreciate that because it's not really making any sense.
Unless it's because of the mega hospitality you were after, rather than to see a good, honest match amongst ordinary people worried about their bills.
Makes me even more shocked you blocked an Independent Commission from even looking into public ownership for our water. Especially as University of Greenwich research shows it would save £3-5 BILLION a year if you and your party actually got stuck in to protecting our national water supply and undoing the years of having our it sold off to profit grasping investors from all over the world.
The UK's water supply is in a mess. Our rivers and seas are polluted and no one is being called to account. Would you agree that this is your job?
Underdogs like Crystal Palace don't always win big trophies. But it seems you believe that Labour - currently looking an underdog party - will remain in power on this policy and your personal greedy 'free ticket' hospitality stance.
Look forward to hearing from you! Very disappointed if I get no reply.
Kaz
Reply
Andy 3 weeks ago
Dear Steve, I am so angry at your failure to sort out the water industry in this country. You promised so much before the election: about ending dumping of raw sewage in our rivers and seas, about getting tough with water companies and levying punishing fines which would actually make them change their ways, about prosecuting the water company management who knowingly break the existing laws, with prison an option, because they know it is always cheaper to dump sewage than invest in modern treatment works.
None of this has happened, all we as consumers have got are eye watering increases in our water bills to supposedly pay for the investments the water companies could and should have been making over the last 35 years if they hadn't sent billions and billions of our money to their mainly overseas investors in dividends and paid their top management hugely inflated salaries and bonuses for mismanaging something that drops from the sky.
Why has nationalisation, the only sensible future path for a resource essential to every person in this country, been removed from the list of future options for our nation's water industry? We are the only major country in the world to have sold off its most precious resource to foreign owners who just want maximum return and could not care whether we are all knee deep in sewage and paying ever and ever higher bills.
I think you need to start listening to consumers who have been let down for 35 years. We want clean rivers and seas, we want to see water in public ownership, so it is managed for the benefit of society in this country, we want to see proper long term investment in sewage treatment and extra reservoirs needed as climate change creates more frequent droughts.
Reply
Paul 3 weeks ago
Dear Mr Reed,
Why are you taking bribery payments from Water Companies to help them stay privatised?
Kind Regards,
Paul
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Diane Rotherham 3 weeks ago
Dear Mr. Reed,
I am writing to say how disappointed I am that you didn’t take up the invitation of your constituent, Lois, to attend a football match with her and to discuss the water industry with her. You appear to be happy to accept football tickets from water companies; what is different about Lois’s invitation?
I think water should be in public ownership, as everyone needs it and it would be much cheaper in public hands. Are you going to ignore me as well?
Regards,
Diane Rotherham
Reply
Geoff Williams 3 weeks ago
Dear Mr Reed
I understand that you recently took hospitality from Thames Water to the tune of £1786 to attend a football match at Crystal Palace. But when one of your constituents Liz Davis offered to do the same as part of a campaign for renationalisation of water you did not turn up. Given your consistent opposition to nationalising water companies, it makes me wonder if these events are connected.
Also, I understand that you are a member of the Cooperative Party, which is opposed to privatisation of national utilities. Nationalisation of public utilities, especially water, is very popular among the electorate and if implemented is expected to save the treasury some £3-5 billion. It is utterly baffling why a government that is losing popularity by the day and claims to be so keen to reduce public spending would not support such a policy.
Unless of course they are more interested in channeling taxpayers' money into private hands.
Should you really be in this position of responsibility and power if you are more keen to support private business interests than to help your constituents and the national finances and be true to the people who elected you?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours in disgust,
Geoff Williams
Reply
Pete Neale 3 weeks ago
Steve,
Why did you get wined and dined by the Water Industry? The optics are terrible. You’re not stupid so you must have a reason. Please tell us what it was!
Thanks and regards.
Peter Neale (Furious About Water)
Reply
Steven Whalley 3 weeks ago
Dear Steve Reed MP,
I am infuriated that politicians, Labour politicians, are listening to corporations when they should be listening to us, the consumers; the people.
These corporations are protecting the profits of privatised water companies instead of protecting our rivers, our seas, and our bills.
People are right to be furious. People believed that there would be a change under Labour but, with water, it's just more of the same.
You are not only a member of Labour, but also the Co-operative Party, and you have accepted £1786 in hospitality from privatised water bosses and accepted their invitations to football matches.
This should not sway your opinion. The Government has recently shown sense in our relationship with the EU and with winter fuel payments. The right decision is to nationalise Water.
Kind regards,
Steven Whalley
Reply
Alan Jarrett 3 weeks ago
Dear Mr Reed,
I am very concerned and disappointed to learn that you took the decision to avoid an invitation to meet with your constituent Lois regarding the important topic of water company public ownership.
The optics of readily accepting football match tickets from the owners of a privatised water company, yet apparently refusing similar hospitality from a concerned constituent, seems highly imbalanced?
I am also shocked to be informed that you have blocked an Independent Commission from looking into public ownership of the water companies and wonder what was the justification for that decision? Especially given the very poor history of the privatised companies from a customers perspective and in light of the latest research available.
I am an individual of an age that has lived through public ownership and privatisation. From a customer's perspective the results of privatisation have been appalling without exception. Constantly rising costs, diminishing or non-existent service, degrading infrastructure, water contamination and poor value for money for a commodity such as water which is critical and essential to life.
Profits have been prioritised over people and if you truly believe in Co-operative principles which are fundamentally democratic, public ownership of the services and utilities we all rely on, then it appears from a public perspective your position is opposed to those principles?
As a Member of Parliament and Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, you are in a very privileged position, but with that privilege comes great responsibility and accountability as a public servant. I would respectfully urge you to reconsider the situation relating to public ownership of water in a more balanced way and if possible make a little time to engage with your constituent Lois.
Yours sincerely
Alan Jarratt
Reply
Pete Webb 3 weeks ago
Dear Mr Reed,
It is with great regret that I see that the leadership of our country has sunk into the depths of depravity expected of a third world country run by dictators.
What governments don’t seem to realise is that people like myself have realised long ago that privatisation without competition does not work. Privatisation is not privatisation if you decide to bail companies out when they are failing with my and other taxpayers money. You as a representative of mine should be working in my interest, not the interest of people who name their own salary and give money freely to shareholders whilst failing to invest into the infrastructure of the industry.
Large companies are becoming so powerful that weak politicians will give way to them. These companies are bleeding our country dry. They pay little or no tax and because most are foreign owned a lot of our money is leaving this country to be invested offshore to look after the few at the expense of the many.
Politicians need to be accountable, you are not prepared to talk to the people who use and pay for water supplies you simply want to take the offers of free tickets from those who sell the water at your behest. I’m no expert but to me it does not look like a healthy arrangement that you have with the water boards.
As far as I understand it a business that is financially insolvent should declare bankruptcy and shut down. I know in your reply to me you are going to explain why this is not the case but I wait with baited breath for your explanation backed up by the relevant figures and not just WORDS.
Yours in e.coli. up to my neck,
Peter Webb MIBiol. CBiol.
Reply
Maria G 3 weeks ago
Dear Steve,
What you are doing and how you are behaving is not okay.
Why did you accept tickets to a football match from the owners of a privatised water company, but wouldn’t hear from your constituent, Lois?
I'm shocked and rather disturbed that you have blocked the Independent Commission from looking into public ownership to solve the crisis in England and Wales.
The vast majority of us are struggling to pay our energy/utility bills.
The price increases are all smoke and mirrors. A small percentage of people are making a fortune in salaries, shares and underhand back-scratching behaviour. You cannot bail out a sinking ship where the holes in the ship are the mouths of greedy individuals who will continue to suck the system dry.
We all know Thames Water is suffering from lack of investment but that is NOT our fault! I saw the two-part documentary [on Thames Water]. It's shocking. The millions went somewhere but NOT the upkeep of sewers, plants or pipe repairs, etc. Just into the pockets of greedy, selfish people.
Please don't make out we are stupid, dozy fools who will just swallow this. We know what's going on.
There are people out there suffering, unable to buy food to eat, using food banks, unable to turn their heating on in winter, and now, they've been battered again with price hikes. Thames Water has had one of the highest price hikes and the behaviour of many politicians who are supposed to represent US, along with company CEOs, shareholders and all those with their hands in the public pockets, are operating in underhand and abusive ways.
Public ownership seems like the best and most transparent next step. The University of Greenwich research that shows it would save £3-5 billion a year: https://weownit.org.uk/news/governments-worst-case-scenario-for-nationalising-water-still-leaves-households-better-off/
It feels like those that represent us are focusing on their own needs and wants above all else. We all know that is not the way it should be.
I don't think I'd be able to sleep at night if I were accepting freebies while people and land that I am supposed to support and care about, are in deep suffering.
Your chance to make a huge difference is right here, right now.
I'd a appreciate an honest, non word salad reply if possible.
Regards,
Maria
Reply
David Carr 3 weeks ago
Dear Mr Reed,
Water is to make us all clean so please come clean as to what you really consider is the future for ownership of the water companies
It seems though that you want them to remain in private hands rather than be in public ownership.
This is highlighted by the fact that you blocked your Independent Commission from looking into public ownership to solve the crisis in England and Wales.
Of course there there’s the occasion when you accepted tickets from the owners of a privatised water company but ignored your constituent Lois who offered you much the same for a match.
I, as do many others, strongly feel that water has to be in public ownership. For a start it would save a few £billion. Please refer to the University of Greenwich’s research which shows this.
Kind regards,
David Carr.
Reply
Catherine Greenall 3 weeks ago
To Steve Reed MP
I am writing to express my despair at the situation with corrupt water companies in the UK.
You recently accepted tickets from the owners of a privatised water company but wouldn’t hear from your constituent Lois who had invited you to a match to hear the public's view of the situation.
I am appalled that you have blocked the Independent Commission from looking into public ownership to solve the crisis in England and Wales
I support returning the water companies into public ownership. The University of Greenwich research shows it would save £3-5 billion a year: https://weownit.org.uk/news/governments-worst-case-scenario-for-nationalising-water-still-leaves-households-better-off/
The Water Companies are siphoning off all the income from water bills to pay dividends to shareholders and obscene wages to bosses overseas who care nothing for our water Quality.
Returning the water companies to public ownership should be considered WITHOUT DELAY.
Yours sincerely
Catherine Greenall
Reply
Dan Oakley 3 weeks ago
Dear Steve Reed,
I’m writing to express my disappointment that you accepted football tickets from the owners of a privatised water company, but failed to hear from constituent Lois at Crystal Palace’s ground about her concerns regarding the ongoing private ownership of Thames Water.
I am shocked that you have blocked your Independent Commission from exploring public ownership as a potential solution to the water crisis in England and Wales. Like many people, I strongly believe that all water companies should be brought into public ownership. Water is a common good and should not be exploited for profit, further concentrating wealth in the hands of a few.
Not only is privatisation wrong in principle — it’s not ‘good business’ and makes little financial sense. Surely you are aware of research by the University of Greenwich, which shows that public ownership would save between £3–5 billion a year: https://weownit.org.uk/news/governments-worst-case-scenario-for-nationalising-water-still-leaves-households-better-off
Please give this issue the consideration it deserves. You are a member of a party that is meant to represent the common people. I believe your leadership on this issue is not only necessary but expected. This should not be an opportunity for personal benefit, but a chance to serve your community and do the right thing.
Sincerely,
Dan Oakley
Reply
Anonymous 3 weeks ago
Hi Mr Environment Minister (Steve)
Just a polite message asking why when a ticket was purchased for you, you couldn't turn up or decline politely rather than waste a ticket for a game in your own backyard.
Is it because there is no further gifts for you or you don't want to talk to water bill payers who might ask embarrassing questions about why they are expected to bail out water companies who prioritise shareholders instead of cleaning up the mess that's our waterways? Why are you against public ownership that will leave bill payers better off.
A reply would be nice but I don't really expect one.
Reply
Sue 3 weeks ago
Dear Steve Reed
As environment minister please could you kindly explain why you blocked your Independent Commission from looking into public ownership as an option to solve the crisis in your review of what to do about failing water companies like Thames Water?
Please could you also explain why you would not accept the invitation from one of your own constituents, Lois Davis, to go to a Crystal Palace football match, when a few weeks earlier you DID go with the owner of Northumbrian water?
I am shocked to discover that Ministers meet with the private sector 23 times more often than with consumer groups.
This smacks of corruption. And putting profit before people. Doing the right thing means using evidence based independent research which shows that:
82% of the British public want public ownership of water (as well as other utilities, trains, health etc.)
Taking Thames Water back into public ownership would SAVE £3-5 billion a year!
The facts speak for themselves.
I have cc’d in this email to We Own It, because they have a wealth of information about this topic and they are independent of any political party.
As Minister, please step up and do the right thing for water, for the people who voted for you and for the environment. Your country and nature need you to act independently of private interests, and responsibly.
Thank you for taking the time to read my email. I have spoken in person to my own MP about this, Ben Goldsborough, MP for South Norfolk
Kind regards
Sue
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Robin Hood 2 weeks ago
You call y'self a Labour Government Minister, why don't you behave like one such should?
Presumably, once-upon-a-time, you had socialist ideals but you seem to have ditched them now you're in government. That's truly, a DISGRACE!
Presumably, a while ago, you agreed with much of Jeremy Corbyn's view of the world. Better to have kept him as Labour leader doing more good in permanent Opposition than you and all your government colleagues are managing in 'Power.' We want clean waterways at a fair price and
any profits made by nationalised companies, to be ploughed back into further economies and improvements to services., NOT poured into foreign entities.
Remember it's the People who vote and most of those who vote Labour are still of a socialistic mind, despite shenanigans in the Parliamentary Party.
You are concerned about keeping your privileges in government but were elected to retrieve the rights of citizens who have been sold down
the filthy Thames sewage outlets by self-interested privilege-seekers, not statesmen. Labour has few of Statesman-like calibre in Parliament and
those that are still there, keep schtum in hope they'll achieve something by little activities in the back-benches, despite the obstructive leadership.
But the activities of their Ministers must cause them to despair. Redress the wrongs, Minister; Wealth and power exploit and oppress the people.
Ease the burden of poverty and powerlessness wherever possible; Clean up the sewage and kick profiteers out of public services and utilities.
Corbyn stands head and shoulder above the parapet, on the shoulders of giants; Clem Attlee, Aneurin Bevan and all the 1945 Cabinet;
Men of vision and courage to build the better world my parents dreamed of. What are your dreams, Steve? Perhaps you have only nightmares.
Mau Zedong had a bright idea, sustaining the impulse of citizens to swim in a market-trading economy but taking government control of infrastructure
and essential services. These are not to be handed to money-grubbing profit-seekers; These should support the commonwealth, i.e. the People.
Thank you for your courteous consideration of my rant, I wrote it for our mutual benefit.
Reply
David Bailey 2 weeks ago
Dear Mr Reed
I am most disgusted with the performance of the privatised water companies allowing untreated sewage to enter our waterways, thereby harming aquatic wildlife and making them unsafe for swimming and other forms of water recreation. The massive profits from these companies are prioritising the paying of dividends to shareholders instead of investing in the infrastructure preventing sewage pollution. This is not acceptable. Apparently certain water companies ARE investing in measures to prevent pollution levels, BUT ARE INCREASING CUSTOMER BILLS TO A CONSIDERABLE LEVEL IN ORDER TO COVER THE COSTS. This is an utter disgrace as common sense states that initial profits should first and foremost be infrastructure invested with dividend payments coming second.
It is clear that privatization has failed and the only real way of addressing these issues is for renationalisation which you don't appear to recognise. It appears you are in cahoots with the privatised water companies' showing disregard for the environment and the British public.
An example is that I am disappointed that you accepted tickets to a football match from the owners of a privatised water company but ignored calls from your constituent Lois addressing her concerns.
I want you to know that I am shocked that you have blocked your Independent Commission from looking into public ownership to solve the crisis in England and Wales.
I fully support public ownership of water for cutting out wasteful administration meaning all revenue raised would present no barriers to infrastructure investment' together with lower household bills. The University of Greenwich research shows nationalisation would save £3-5 billion a year.
Regards
Reply