the water company.

It is time to take a bold step towards securing our nation's most precious resource: water. It is time to bring our water infrastructure back into public hands.

By taking control of our water infrastructure, we can embark on a monumental project to ensure our continued access to clean drinking water. In the name of national security we propose the construction of 50 new reservoirs and wetlands, the development of desalination plants, and the enhancement of our sewage treatment facilities and flood defences.

Clean drinking water, the lifeblood of our planet, is under siege and at the heart of a growing crisis that demands our attention. Water is the foundation upon which all civilisations are built, sustaining communities with vital hydration and serving as the main defence against disease. Whether examining the natural world or human societies, every form of life depends on this vital resource for its very existence and survival. A cursory glance at our world map reveals the undeniable truth. The geographical narrative is clear: cities and towns have historically gravitated towards and sprouted up near the banks of abundant water sources.

It's a fact that 71% of our planet's surface is blanketed by water. However in reality only 3% of Earth's water is freshwater that is fit for human consumption, with the majority of it locked away in icy vaults in glaciers and ice caps. This leaves a minuscule 0.3% residing in accessible groundwater and surface water, in lakes and rivers. Make no mistake the fresh water sources on planet Earth are its most precious commodity.

For four decades since the privatisation of the Regional Water Authorities in England and Wales, we've observed a stagnation in the critical expansion of our water infrastructure. Despite our population growing by 10 million, with an expected increase of another 10 million by 2050, not a single new reservoir has been constructed by the water companies. Our aging infrastructure is leaking, quite literally, our future away.

As we look ahead, the challenges only grow more alarming. Climate change brings with it hotter, drier summers, leading to drought conditions that threaten our very way of life. In the next 20 years, as demand surges, we must confront the reality of our changing climate head-on.

Future projections bring forecasts of grim times ahead where the rivers of Great Britain, along with countless others globally, could wither away, losing over half of their precious waters due to droughts caused by the relentless march of the climate crisis.

The cost of inaction is unthinkable. Consider this - Thames Water estimates that a severe drought could drain London's economy of £330 million daily, a staggering £10 billion per month leaving 11 million of our fellow citizens without water. We cannot, we must not, let this become our reality. This initiative is more than a measure of policy; it is a proactive, preemptive measure of national security.

Our commitment to bring water back into public hands is not merely a logistical change; it is a pledge to every citizen that we value their health, their well-being, and their security above all. It is a testament to our belief in the collective power of our society to tackle the greatest challenges.

The journey before us will not be easy, but the path is clear. Together, we can ensure that every drop of water is a drop of life, a drop of prosperity, and a drop of security for our nation. Let us unite in this cause, for we cannot afford not to. Our future, our children's future, and the very fabric of our nation depends upon it.

In the midst of the 19th century, London found itself at the epicenter of an environmental predicament that would forever alter its trajectory. The city, swelling from the pressures of swift urban growth, was brought to its knees by the notorious "Great Stink" of 1858, a direct consequence of its insufficient sewage infrastructure. This pivotal moment in history underscores the enduring conflict between the pace of urban development and the imperative of environmental stewardship—a theme that remains pertinent in contemporary discourse.

As London sprawled, its sewage system lagged woefully behind, transforming the River Thames into an open sewer, brimming with untreated human and industrial waste. The situation reached a boiling point during the sweltering summer of 1858, when an overwhelming stench engulfed the city, penetrating even the hallowed halls of the Houses of Parliament. The severity of the odor compelled lawmakers to consider abandoning the riverside legislative buildings, resorting to the temporary remedy of soaking draperies in chloride of lime to mitigate the smell.

Yet, from the depths of this crisis emerged a visionary solution. The calamity brought about the commissioning of Sir Joseph Bazalgette to undertake an ambitious overhaul of London's sewage system. His design and execution of an extensive network of underground sewers not only alleviated the immediate malodorous conditions but also set a precedent for modern urban sanitation, significantly enhancing public health standards.

This historical episode epitomizes the critical need for forward-thinking investment in essential infrastructure. "The Great Stink" is emblematic of the consequences of reactive governance, spotlighting the substantial costs associated with postponing necessary interventions. The parallels to today's challenges with water infrastructure are unmistakable. In the face of climate change, burgeoning populations, and aging facilities, the echoes of London's past serve as a cautionary tale.

The stakes today extend beyond mere discomfort, encompassing potential public health emergencies and ecological disasters. The ramifications of failing to maintain and upgrade our water systems can lead to far-reaching environmental and health crises, illustrating that the price of neglect far outweighs the cost of preventative action.

As we grapple with the looming threats of water scarcity and infrastructural decay, the tale of London's "Great Stink" imparts a clear message: the financial, environmental, and health implications of deferred action are immense. Reactive responses to waterborne diseases and environmental degradation are invariably more burdensome than the investment in timely infrastructure enhancements.

The moral gleaned from the 19th-century London debacle is unambiguous—investing in the bedrock of our cities is not just sound policy but an imperative for our collective well-being and the sustainability of our environment. The "Great Stink" remains a poignant historical lesson, admonishing us against the perils of delay in confronting environmental and public health imperatives, reminding us that the value of foresight invariably supersedes the toll of regret.

Even as far back as 1884, the importance of water as a public health necessity was understood. Joseph Chamberlain, whose lineage included Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, articulated that the interests of citizens and private enterprise are inherently incompatible, for private enterprise is inexorably tethered to the pursuit of maximum profit. His prescience stands unchallenged.