‘I can understand frustration’ about Labour’s first six months, minister says

Commons leader Lucy Powell ‘disappointed’ by state of economy and shares people’s impatience for change

A cabinet minister has said she “can understand people’s frustration” with the Labour government since it came into power as the party ended the year slumped in the polls with MPs jittery after a turbulent first few months.

Lucy Powell, the Commons leader, said she shared public impatience for change and was “disappointed” over the state of the economy but the party’s inheritance meant it was “a bit like turning around a huge oil tanker”.