1994 Strathclyde water referendum

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In March 1994, Strathclyde Regional Council asked residents to vote on whether water and sewerage services should be privatised. This was part of the UK government’s plan to reorganise Scotland’s water system under the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, which created three water authorities: East of Scotland Water, West of Scotland Water, and North of Scotland Water. The move aimed to prepare for privatisation, following privatisations in England and Wales in 1989.

Public opinion was strongly against privatisation; polls consistently showed about 86–91% opposed.

The referendum was conducted by post. About 1.2 million people were eligible to vote, and turnout was 71.5% (1,230,328 votes cast). Results: Yes 33,956 votes (2.76%); No 1,194,667 votes (97.24%); valid votes 1,228,623; invalid/blank 1,705.

Outcome: The vast majority rejected privatisation, and the plan was dropped. The three Scottish water authorities remained publicly owned.

In 2002, the three authorities were merged to form Scottish Water, a publicly owned company.