Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Housing, arrives for a Cabinet meeting in Downing Street, London, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. via Associated PressA 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. Advertisement AdvertisementAdvertisement Advertisement“We had to do that because the Tories literally covered this country in shit. 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. 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%.
