Waterways Parliamentarian of the Year

The IWA has awarded its first title of "Waterways Parliamentarian of the Year" to Charlotte Atkins, MP for Staffordshire Moorlands.

Charlotte has secured two adjournment debates on waterway funding, tabled many questions on waterway matters, met with the minister on many occasions and given her time in other ways for the benefit of the waterways.

The award was made at the House of Commons on 1st April at a dinner by Bob Laxton MP and attended by leading waterway figures including the Waterways Minister, Jonathan Shaw MP; the Speaker of the House of Commons, and other distinguished guests.

The twenty MPs present, from all the major parties, had made significant contributions to the well-being of the waterways during the past year, and were contenders for the award.

This most welcome initiative of the IWA's shows appreciation to MPs for their efforts in their key role in helping to fight for improved funding for the waterways.

It is vital that the underfunding of the waterways remains high on MPs' agendas, and it is to be hoped that this event will achieve this. To that end, SOW continues to encourage supporters to write to their MPs, especially with concerns about the effect on their local canals and rivers.