Voters ‘frustrated and angry’ at Tories, admits minister after local election losses

Culture secretary defends Rishi Sunak and says poll setback would not prompt change of strategy

Voters are “frustrated and angry” at the Conservative government, a cabinet minister has admitted, as the party comes to terms with the heavy losses it suffered at Thursday’s local elections.

Lucy Frazer, the culture secretary, said on Sunday that this week’s results, which showed her party lose more than 1,000 local councillors, reflected concerns among voters about the high cost of living.