“Many years ago, there used to be something called ‘conflict of interest.’ No longer, I’m afraid. Today, we all bathe in the same river.” ― Gore Vidal, The Last Empire: Essays 1992-2000
When the hapless and ineffectual Therese Coffey resigned from her post as Secretary of State for The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs many people would have heaved a big sigh of relief. At last Rishi Sunak might appoint someone who could bring the river and sea polluting water companies to heel.
That pipe dream was shattered within 24 hours. Sunak has appointed Steve Barclay as the new Environment Secretary, the man who refused to talk to doctors and nurses during the NHS pay and recruitment strikes, leading to a massive increase in NHS waiting lists.
Although Therese Coffey was useless at controlling the polluting water companies, she at least had the advantage of not being in bed with any of them. Barclay can make no such claim as his wife is a senior executive at Anglian Water.
Anglian Water has attracted headlines like these:
“Anglian Water ordered to pay £156,000 for sewage pollution. The court found that negligence and a lack of maintenance were to blame." (GOV.UK: 13/09/19)
And
“Anglian Water has been fined more than £1.2m after admitting causing pollution in three counties.” (BBC News: 17/10/22)
And
“Anglian Water fined £2.65m after sewage discharged into North Sea. Largest ever fine imposed for environmental offences in the East region.” (GOV.UK: 28/05/23)
The Anglian Water annual financial statement for 2020/21 recorded group revenues of £1,351.8 million, with an increase in profits of £68.2 million. The Financial Times (21/06/22) reported that:
“Anglian Water pays £392 mn dividend to owners as customer bills rise.”
And in November of this year it was reported that Anglian Water:
“...paid its executives an eye-watering "£2,424.555 in pay and perks last year.” (Yahoo News: 14/11/23)
Maybe I am being cynical but I cannot see Steve Barclay doing anything that is likely to jeopardise his wife’s (and by extension, his family’s ) income, can you?
