Last week, local MP Robert Largan voted against the Government on an amendment to the Environment Bill.

The amendment, put forward by the Duke of Wellington, received cross-party support, and would have put a legal duty on water companies to stop raw sewage from being released into rivers from storm overflows. 

Mr Largan previously championed the Private Members’ Bill by Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow, that formed the basis for that amendment. 

The amendment was defeated in the House of Commons by just 63 votes: 265-202.

Following the vote, Mr Largan and other members of the Conservative Environment Network met with the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street to discuss this and other environmental issues. 

The Government has since agreed to table a new amendment to the Bill that will put a legal duty on water companies to stop sewage being released into waterways.

The Bill is expected to return to the House of Commons in the coming weeks. 

Robert Largan, MP for High Peak, commented: 

“This is a big win for those of us who have been working to protect our rivers from pollution. 

“I will be scrutinising carefully the Government’s amendment which—it is important to note—comes on top of a wide range of positive measures already included in the Bill.

“I’ve always said I’ll be an independent voice who puts the High Peak ahead of party politics, and I’m sticking to my word.”