Punk singer turned environmental campaigner Feargal Sharkey visited Sussex as part of a tour of the UK.

Back on the road for the first time in nearly 40 years, the singer met Labour’s Parliamentary candidates for Worthing West, Beccy Cooper, and East Worthing and Shoreham, Tom Rutland, on Worthing beach yesterday to highlight pollution in the sea.

Feargal is also the president of Labour’s environment campaign Socialist Environment and Resources Association (Sera).

Feagal Sharkey spoke to Tom Rutland, Beccy Cooper and local Labour campaigners on Worthing beach todayFeagal Sharkey spoke to Tom Rutland, Beccy Cooper and local Labour campaigners on Worthing beach today (Image: Labour)

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Beccy Cooper said:  “Worthing residents are constantly telling me how fed up they are of sewage being pumped into our precious seas and rivers. We want to be able to take our children into the sea without checking when the last sewage discharge was and whether it’s safe to swim. 

“Thanks to Feargal Sharkey for joining us this morning to highlight the state of our seas and rivers and to show why now is the time to elect a new Labour government that will clean up our waters and hold water companies such as Southern Water to account.” 

Tom Rutland said: “It was great to welcome the one and only Feargal Sharkey to Worthing today to highlight the disgusting sewage polluting our beautiful coastline.

“Labour will put the water companies into special measures until they have cleaned up their filth.”

Ken Penton and Lisa Trickett, who co-chair Labour’s environment campaign, said:  “This campaign could not be clearer – it’s time to put nature and our environment back at the centre of the government’s priorities.  

 “Only a Labour government, led by Keir Starmer, will protect our vital waterways – the rivers and seas that we love and rely on. We will be working hard with Feargal to highlight the mess – literally – that the Tories have made of our waters and to elect a change of government with a change of policy. We look forward to working with Beccy Cooper and Tom Rutland to ensure that Labour clean up our rivers and beaches.”