WES Streeting launched Labour’s first big attack on Nigel Farage as polls suggest Reform are the party to beat at the next election.
The Health Secretary called Reform’s leader a “miserabilist” in a blistering speech on Saturday.
It comes after Mr Farage’s party topped a national opinion poll for the first time with 26 per cent of the vote.
GettyHealth Secretary Wes Streeting outside 10 Downing Street[/caption]
EPAReform UK Leader Nigel Farage[/caption]
Labour was pushed to third with 22 per cent of the vote, behind the Tories on 23 per cent.
But Mr Streeting said Labour can beat their political enemies by fixing the NHS.
“We’ve got to inspire some hope,” he told the Fabian Society.
“I can’t think of a more potent antidote to Farage’s miserabilism, than proving the cynics wrong and getting the NHS delivering world class care. We can defeat Farage by turning around the NHS.”
He said Brits who had “appalling” experiences with the NHS were turning towards Reform.
And said they must confidently take them on in the “battle of ideas”.
“It’s about time Reform’s agenda was put under some scrutiny,” he added.
“The crux of Farage’s argument is this: what was possible in the twentieth century isn’t possible in the 21st. It’s a miserabilist, declinist vision for Britain’s future.”
Paul EdwardsNigel Farage[/caption]
Mr Streeting also fired a warning shot to his colleagues: “The populist right are coming for us. We need to be serious about beating them.”
Labour is training its guns on Reform amid fears they could make inroads in areas like Labour’s Red Wall.
One Cabinet minister told The Sun on Sunday: “Reform are the ones making the political weather at the moment. We know we have to take on the argument.”
Mr Farage hit back: “The miserablists are the Labour government not me. He has got this all wrong, Reform are upbeat and optimistic and we can turn the country around.”
Mr Farage hit back, telling The Sun on Sunday: “The miserablists are the Labour government not me. He has got this all wrong, Reform are upbeat and optimistic and we can turn the country around.”
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