Lucy Frazier insisted that, despite the attacks at the ballot box, voters are beginning to sympathize with Rishi Sunak. Photo: Andy Rein/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
The effects of the Covid lockdown and the ongoing war in Ukraine have led to heavy Tory defeats in local elections, cabinet minister said.
Lucy Fraser, Minister of Culture , acknowledged that Conservatives «absolutely need to think» after voters handed them a bloody nose on Thursday.
She insisted that Rishi Sunak «understand the scope of the problem» but said he had not yet been in Downing Street long enough to make a difference.
Her remarks come as the prime minister is facing growing calls from conservatives and even cabinet ministers to change course, especially on taxes.
The party lost over 1,000 council seats in local elections and is now on the way to According to leading pollsters, we will lose the next election.
Ms Fraser told the BBC: “We are fully aware that we need to act and get results. But let's just look at the context in which these local elections took place.
“We have been in power for 13 years, we have just emerged from a pandemic that has affected everyone’s lives and affects the cost of living, we are still fighting in Ukraine and supporting Ukraine.
“The Prime Minister is absolutely right to focus on what people want from us. When people see what we deliver, we will restore the trust of the British.”
She insisted that, despite the beatings inflicted on the party during the voting, voters began to relate to Mr. Sunak and his desire to curb inflation under control.
“Rishi has only been prime minister for six months, it's a huge problem,” she said.
“As I knocked on the door, I saw a change in the mood of the British. It was very difficult at the start of the campaign, but [people] are slowly starting to trust the government and Rishi.
“I'm not going to pretend it wasn't difficult. We need to do more, we need to deliver, we deliver.
When asked by Sky News if she understands the magnitude of the loss, she added: “It is absolutely important that we listen to people. I know people are frustrated and angry.”
Her announcement came after the Tories lost 1,061 seats on Thursday evening, ceding control of 49 councils across England.
Towards a coalition
Sir John Curtis, a leading pollster, predicted that if the results were repeated in the next in the general election, the party will lose almost 130 MPs.
The Labor Party will become the largest party, but after what experts have described as disappointing results, it is unlikely to win a majority.
The magic number of 326 would be 14 seats away, raising the possibility that Sir Keir Starmer will have to enter into a coalition with the Liberal Democrats.
Mr Sunak has faced immediate calls to change course due to the attacks as the next election expected in about 18 months.
Sir John Redwood, a former cabinet minister, said voters are punishing Tories for pursuing left-wing policies in taxation, spending and regulation.
“Last Thursday, many Conservative voters went on strike. They don't want to vote for higher taxes, anti-business policies and the inability to regain control of our borders,» he said.
many compromises with opposition parties and foreign interests at their expense.
“They want lower taxes, rewards for hard work and enterprise, and an independent UK.”
Sir John's Wokingham constituency in Berkshire will be a key location for the Liberal Democrats in the next election.< /p>'People need to feel better'
Michael Fabricant, MP for Lichfield, urged the Prime Minister lay out an agenda that will convince voters that their standard of living will improve.< /p>
“This is economics, stupidity applies to the UK as well as to the United States,” he said in response to the results of local elections .
“People need to feel better, know their NHS will work, and expect things to get better.”
Mr. Sunak is also facing pressure from his top team to «speed up the work» and «take some action». taking risks» to bring the public back.
«Constancy as it goes won't help,» one cabinet member told The Times. «At the moment we don't have a clear proposal.
«People are saying their taxes are going up, their adult children are living at home with them, and the lines are getting longer.»
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