Today’s news summary – Paper Talk: King’s Speech: Tory measures “vapid, shallow and tired”
Many of Wednesday’s front pages carry pictures of King Charles delivering his first speech at the State Opening of Parliament since becoming Monarch last year. Elsewhere, the latest from the Israel-Hamas war also makes the front pages.
King’s Speech
The Times reports that senior Tories think the measures announced in the speech aren’t a “game changer” and may not do enough to help the Conservatives win the next general election. They want the chancellor to go further and bring tax cuts forward to this month’s autumn statement.
The Daily Telegraph’s editorial reports that there were some “eye-catching” proposals, but the paper questions whether they offer the Tories a “coherent springboard for a successful bid for re-election”.
The Daily Mail says the speech drew the election battle lines, but the paper also says it’s troubling there is nothing to “quicken the pulse” about the economy.
The Guardian suggests Rishi Sunak is offering old ideas when new ones are needed. The paper notes there are some welcomed changes – such as a football regulator – but says the good measures are dwarfed by the “ugly” such as the anti-green measures.
The Daily Mirror slams the Speech as Speech “vapid, shallow and tired” and says it offered only “shabby electioneering” and political gimmicks. It does offer some praise for measures such as requiring serious criminals to attend their sentencing but says overall the direction was wrong and slow.
Israel-Hamas latest
The front page of the Telegraph carries a report from Gaza describing a “last stand” by Hamas fighters at a hospital in the north of the territory. The paper says Israeli forces have cornered the few remaining members of a 1,000-strong battalion at the site.
Closer to home, The Guardian has more details about the insistence of Met boss Sir Mark Rowley, who said he can’t ban the pro-Palestinian march planned for Armistice Day this Saturday. The paper says a “defiant” Sir Mark has resisted what the paper calls a “chorus” of cabinet ministers calling for the ban and insisted on the independence of his force instead.
The Times reports further discussions between the Met and the government are expected today. Whilst the Daily Mail says it hopes Sir Mark’s decision won’t result in a riot at the Cenotaph the paper says groups of football hooligans are planning to “protect” the monument in case marchers veer off course.