Open Letter to Prime Minister Andy Burnham: The ‘Makerfield Test’ Starts at Sea
2 minute read
Healthy seas are fundamental to a more secure, prosperous and resilient UK.
As Prime Minister Andy Burnham begins delivering his vision for the UK, the Marine Conservation Society urges him to make ocean regeneration part of this mission.
Read our open letter from our Chief Executive, Sandy Luk, arguing that the Burnham’s ‘Makerfield test’ should extend to the UK’s coastlines and seas, and how ocean regeneration can support our economic, energy, food and coastal security.
Dear Prime Minister,
Your election as Prime Minister has been driven by a promise that politics can once again deliver meaningful change for people and places. At the heart of that vision is the idea that national policy should improve everyday life in communities across the UK. We believe that ambition must extend beyond our towns and cities to the seas that sustain them. If the Makerfield test is about whether government delivers tangible benefits where people live, then it should start at sea.
We’re the Marine Conservation Society, a leading UK environmental charity dedicated to protecting our ocean. We know that the same spirit of renewal needs to extend to our seas, and the proud coastal communities that depend on them.
You’ve spoken about the potential of a Makerfield test: a bold, place-based approach to driving change, judged by whether national policies deliver real, tangible improvements for communities across the UK. Ocean regeneration is the coastal equivalent—practical, place-based and rooted in rebuilding not just marine ecosystems, but local economies, identity and resilience. It is a mechanism for coastal towns to "reimagine themselves for the 21st century" through tourism, science and jobs.
Today, the health of our seas is no longer just an environmental issue. Our seas underpin our economic security, food security and energy security. No matter where you live, healthy seas are vital to our climate and provide every second breath we take. Yet poor water quality, fragmented planning and years of underinvestment in our marine environment are putting these foundations—and our communities' health—at risk.
There is, however, real cause for optimism. Restoring habitats such as seagrass, oyster reefs and kelp forests can improve water quality, support fisheries, protect coastal communities and create skilled jobs, delivering visible change that people can feel and take pride in. Ocean regeneration is also key to tackling the dual climate and nature crises that we know people across the UK care deeply about.
You can seize opportunities that will make a significant difference during this Parliament. Strengthening the Clean Water Bill would tackle hidden forms of water pollution, including PFAS ("forever chemicals") and microplastics, benefiting industrial coastal communities in pollution hotspots such as Blackpool North and Fleetwood. Investing further in ocean regeneration would recognise nature as the essential national infrastructure that it is. Reforming marine licensing would also enable community-led restoration projects to thrive.
A healthy ocean is the foundation of a secure, resilient and prosperous UK. By making ocean recovery part of your programme for national renewal, you can extend the promise of the Makerfield test from towns like Makerfield to our coasts—delivering lasting benefits not just inland, but out to sea.
Yours sincerely,
Sandy Luk
Chief Executive, Marine Conservation Society
