Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
Many of Wednesday’s newspapers lead with the continued fallout from Monday’s confidence vote in Boris Johnson’s leadership.
The Guardian says rebel Tory MPs are drawing up plans for “vote strikes” to try to paralyse the PM’s ability to make laws, starting with an upcoming bill to override parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol. The i anticipates a “war of attrition” involving “daily attacks from the backbenches as Tory infighting escalates.”
The Times says members of the cabinet are demanding the PM cut taxes if he wants to save his premiership. The paper quotes one anonymous minister who warns that the Tories are “not in a good place” and will lose the next election if they “keep taxation at the rate it is now.”
The PM’s allies have also told The Telegraph he should consider replacing Chancellor Rishi Sunak with Jeremy Hunt – an MP who tried to oust him on Monday. The allies say it will help “heal rifts” between different factions of his party.
Several papers focus on the various problems facing the transport network.
“Total Rail Shutdown” is how The Metro describes the RMT Union’s announcement of three national strikes in a fortnight’s time. The Mail says the walkouts will “paralyse Britain” and criticises Labour for not condemning the action.
The Sun reports the strikes, continued disruption at airports and the soaring cost of petrol represent a “string of crippling blows.” The paper’s front-page pictures a couple beside a barbecue in their back garden, saying it’s the only option left for a “summer holiday treat.”
The Mirror reports that nurses are queuing for charity food parcels because they are struggling to feed their families using just their income. It says at least six NHS Trusts have set up staff foodbanks or voucher schemes to help workers struggling with the rising cost of living.
A vaccine based on mRNA technology could train the immune system to recognise and attack pancreatic cancer, according to the Daily Express.
The Star says high pollen counts and thunderstorms this week is a “double whammy” that will cause “sneeze hell” for anyone afflicted by allergies.
