Editorial 23 July 2024.
Tuesday’s front pages, for the second day, are heavily dominated by US politics. Many broadsheets turn their focus to Vice President Kamala Harris as millions of dollars in donations to the Democrats have started to pour in, and Democratic heavyweights throw their support behind the VP.
The UK tabloids are less focused on US politics and look a little closer to home with various domestic stories featured as the leads.
The back pages are focused on Premier League gossip and the upcoming Paris Olympics.
‘Kamala Harris anointed’
Many papers focus on the wave of endorsements for Kamala Harris from leading Democrats.
The Times says Harris declared “we’re going to win this” in a message on X. Her campaign received $81m (£62.6m) in donations in just 24 hours – a record amount – plus a further £150m from a Democratic fundraising committee, the paper adds.
The Guardian reports Nancy Pelosi’s endorsement of Harris, calling former House speaker Pelosi “hugely influential” and one of Harris’s most significant backers yet. The paper quotes Pelosi as saying she has known Harris for decades and that the VP is “rooted in strong values, faith and a commitment to public service”.
The Financial Times says the steady stream of support from senior Democrats could mean the party avoids any “potential chaos” when it meets next month to officially pick its candidate.
The i newspaper calls Harris “the anointed”. But the polls suggest Harris faces an uphill battle. The Trump team will target Harris’s record in office according to the paper.
The Daily Telegraph calls the Democratic pick a “coronation” for Harris. The paper claims she’ll likely pick a white man as her running mate to “boost her chances” in battleground states. The paper says some are concerned that her background as a liberal Californian politician could discourage some working-class voters.
The Metro plays on former president Barack Obama’s campaign. The paper says “Yes she can” – but points out Obama has yet to give his official support to Harris. He is said to be anxious not to make her nomination appear a done deal, the Metro says.
The Independent leads with a large image of Harris noting her praise of President Joe Biden, calling his legacy ‘unmatched’ and vowing to win the race for the White House.
‘Strictly Come Dancing chaos’
Away from American politics, the UK tabloids report on British politics and showbiz gossip.
The Daily Mail claims 70,000 people will be granted asylum. The paper reports Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said the government are resuming the processing of asylum claims – including those who arrived in the UK illegally. Under the Rwanda scheme – which has since been axed – people who arrived illegally would not have been allowed to settle.
The Independent has a different take on the news. The paper says the Tories spent £700 million to send just four people to Rwanda – and those four volunteered and were paid to go.
The Express leads with an exclusive interview with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage who claims more Tory MPs will defect to his party within the next year.
The Daily Mirror’s lead is on the tragic car accident in West Yorkshire which killed two parents and two children killed in the accident. One child – an 11-year-old girl – survived the accident.
The ongoing Strictly Come Dancing scandal also features on several papers.
The Mirror’s main picture is of actress and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Amanda Abbington, as the show continues to find itself at the centre of controversy with more allegations made.
The Sun’s front page is dedicated to the story. The paper says five long-serving dancers could face the axe in the wake of the bullying scandal.