Wes Streeting accuses Nigel Farage of ‘miserablist’ vision for UK
The health secretary has accused UK leader Nigel Farage of having a “bitter, disengaged” vision for Britain in his most direct attack yet.
Wes Streeting made the comments during a speech at the left-leaning group Fabian Society on Saturday, warning that “populism” needs to be taken seriously.
He accused Farage of not believing that universal health services would be “free at the point of use” and of having a “complete rejection” of the UK’s ambitions.
Farage responded that it was Labor that had a tragic vision and that reform was an “optimistic alternative”.
Street told the audience: “The crux of Farage’s argument is this: it is impossible in the 21st century what was possible in the 20th century.”
“People don’t have to treat their health services on time and make NHS choices free when they use them.”
Nigel Farage has previously suggested the NHS could be replaced by an insurance-based system. However, the reform policy document says healthcare should always remain free at the point of delivery.
“The populist right is where we come from and we need to take them seriously,” Streeting said, adding that “turning the NHS around” could defeat Farage.
The health secretary spoke of meeting people every day on the campaign trail “who have been let down by the NHS” waiting for ambulances or action.
He said some voters had the most appalling experiences and were voting for reform because of the way they were treated.
After the speech, Farage wrote on social media: “The streets are so scared of reform that he is now resorting to lies about our plans for the NHS”.
He added: “Let me be clear, under a reform government the NHS will always be free.”
Farage has said his ultimate goal is to win the next general election, building on the momentum his reforms have enjoyed recently.
Although his party is largely seen as a threat to the conservatives, it has been gaining ground in opinion polls in recent weeks with both Labor and the Conservatives.
A recent YouGov pollThis is the man who is calling for the best Prime Minister to be appointed, suggesting similar support for Nigel Farage and Sir Keir Starmer.
Shortly after he started speaking at the historic Guildhall in central London, a climate protester climbed onto her chair and started taunting him.
“When we voted for Labour, we voted for change,” the demonstrators shouted. “But your government continues to subsidize Drax Power Station.”
North Yorkshire wood-fired power station receives massive government subsidy – but already Accused of using unsustainably sourced wood and OFGEM was fined last year after it was discovered it had given inaccurate data to watchdogs On the type of materials used.
The speech did not stop in the streets and the woman was ushered into the hall as she continued to warn of “climate collapse”.
Almost immediately, the second woman stood up and started shouting. She was also taken out.
The interruption prompted the health secretary to deviate from his prepared remarks, saying he was “in politics to make real change rather than shouting from the sidelines”. The audience then applauded.
He later joked that he was surprised there weren’t more protesters.
