Floods become UK election issue as parties spar over funding
Posted November 9, 2019 6:53 am.
LONDON — British political leaders are swapping blame over floods that have drenched parts of England as the deluge becomes an issue in the campaign for the Dec. 12 election.
Opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn is visiting parts of northern England that were soaked by overflowing rivers after as much as 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain fell in one day. One woman died when she was swept away by floodwaters.
Corbyn said the Conservative government had “failed to prepare communities by investing in flood prevention.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited the area on Friday, and said the government was investing more money in flood defences.
The rain eased Saturday but the Environment Agency said seven severe “danger to life” flood warnings remained in place along the swollen River Don.
The Associated Press
