By Kate Nicholson
Copyright huffingtonpost
A cabinet minister has accused the Conservatives of “covering this country in shit” – and claimed Labour are the “disinfectant”.
Housing secretary Steve Reed, who was the environment secretary before Keir Starmer’s latest reshuffle, attacked the last government during a fringe event at Labour’s annual conference last night.
Speaking from Liverpool, he said: “In my old brief, we secured £100 billion of private sector investment to start cleaning up pollution from our rivers, lakes and seas.
“We had to do that because the Tories literally covered this country in shit.
“We are the disinfectant that is going to clean that mess up.
“And more than that, we are the disinfectant that is going to clean up the far-right in our politics.”
The Conservatives oversaw a surge in sewage pollution, urban flooding and issues with water supply interruptions during their time in office.
Many critics blamed ministers for weakening standards and deregulating the sector.
Reed then tried to buoy the room by urging Labour Party members to be the “disinfectant” and take on the growing support for the far-right by promoting the government’s achievements.
Wearing a Trumo-style red “build baby build” hat, he said: “And we do that by believing in ourselves, we do that by showing people that we can make the changes in the lives we want to see.
“More money in people’s pockets, transforming our NHS, delivering services in the areas that people call home.”
He urged to crowd to “be proud” of this country and “stay united”, adding: “Remember, if we don’t get out there to tell our positive story, no one else will. We depend on you to get out there, sell what the government is doing and show the people of the country we are on their side.”
Reed’s words came hours after a devastating Ipsos poll listed Starmer as the most unpopular prime minister on record.
Meanwhile, a Survation analysis for the LabourList website found 53% of party members think there should be a new member in charge the next time voters go to the polls.
The party itself also continues to flounder behind Reform UK in the opinion polls.
Nigel Farage’s party remains in the lead on 29%, according to YouGov, while Labour stays behind on 20% – and the Tories languish in third place on on 16%.
