Conservatives point finger at Johnson for losses at polls

Senior Conservatives have blamed Boris Johnson for their local election performance, saying anger over partygate cost crucial votes.

Two former ministers joined ousted council leaders in condemnation of the prime minister following the seismic collapse of support in blue wall areas, amid suggestions local campaigns were thwarted by a focus on lockdown rule-breaking.

The backlash followed heavy Conservative losses in councils across the country, with almost 500 seats taken by opposition parties.

Theresa Villiers, who represents

Barnet where Labour seized the Conservative-run authority, said partygate was a factor. “I’m heartbroken that those really great representatives lost their seats as a result.”

Caroline Dinenage, a former culture minister whose seat is in Gosport, Hants, where the Tories lost out to the Liberal Democrats, also admitted anger with Johnson played a role in the result. “There are some Tory voters who have said they wouldn’t be voting for us while Boris Johnson remains prime minister, so it’s definitely had an impact.”