WORCESTER'S MP has hailed Theresa May's apparent lurch towards Labour voters - saying he is "absolutely delighted" by her surprise shift.

The Prime Minister used her closing speech at the Conservative conference yesterday to pitch for support from the working classes, attacking rigged markets, rogue company bosses and inequality.

She also said too many ordinary people had "borne the brunt" of the financial crash, telling delegates too many work bosses earn "a fortune" but fail to pay ordinary workers properly.

But the remarks have been mocked by Worcester Labour Party, who have accused Mrs May of "hollow words" that fail to match up to reality.

City MP Robin Walker, who considers himself to be on the left of his party, said: "It was very much in line with what I believe in, moderate Conservatism that appeals to people of all backgrounds.

"As someone very much on that wing of the party I'm absolutely delighted with it, it was a very positive assertion of what I think are key Conservative principles like the NHS, doing 'things' for people, education and giving people across society that opportunity to get on.

"It was very much a 'one nation' argument, one that perhaps we lost as a party some time in the 1980s."

He also said he agreed with Mrs May's remarks about Labour being a "nasty party" under Jeremy Corbyn, but added that he would not extend that opinion to the Worcester branch.

Councillor James Stanley, who chairs Worcester Conservative Association, added: "She powerfully articulated a vision of a country where every child regardless of background has the opportunity to succeed.

"This is the essence of 21st century Conservatism - merit and abilty, not chance of birth should determine the extent of an individual's life and this Government is defined by a belief in meritocracy.

"Contrast this with the divisiveness of our opponents, Labour in a perpetual state of civil war and the nationalists seeking to destroy our United Kingdom."   

Mid-Worcestershire MP Nigel Huddleston said he was "thrilled" with the speech, saying Mrs May had "articulated the many reasons I got into politics".

But Labour Councillor Adrian Gregson, who leads Worcester City Council, called it "hollow words" from the premier.

"I welcome her desire to make Britain a more equal society, but that's got to be backed up with policies," he said.

"But how does that sit with the grammar schools debate, how does it sit with her plans for housing which will reduce affordable and social housing and right-to-buy?

"How does her remarks sit with the Universal credit benefit cuts, the treatment of trade unions, how does all of that make society more equal?

"Equality is about giving people skills, the freedom for people to live where they want, better transport, a proper rail system because the one we have now is on its knees, tackling rural and now urban isolation - until this is all addressed, it's hollow words."

Jeremy Corbyn said the Tories were spreading “hatred” and trying to “blame foreigners”, following minister's remarks during the conference about reducing foreign doctors and asking companies to publish the number of workers hired from abroad.

During her speech Mrs May put "dysfunctional" businesses like the big six energy firms and broadband providers like BT on notice to expect aggressive action in a strongly interventionist speech.

Although she did not spell out specific policies she also attacked tax dodgers, even saying "the system is broken" and telling big company bosses: "We're coming after you."

She also told the conference in Birmingham it was time the party "changed again", distancing herself from David Cameron.

He language was seen as similar to that of former Labour leader Ed Miliband, when he argued for market intervention in 2013 with an energy price freeze.