Editorial 26 March 2024.
Tuesday’s front pages cover several major domestic topics, including ongoing coverage of Princess Kate, China’s cyber attack on the UK and the UN ceasefire resolution.
Many of the papers react to China being formally accused by the British government of being behind “malicious” cyber campaigns against MPs and the UK’s elections watchdog.
Regarding the China threat story, most right-leaning newspapers use more extreme language as they call for the UK to get tougher on Beijing. The left-leaning coverage also wants No 10 to take action on Chinese meddling but most left papers don’t lead with the story.
Instead, the left-leaning publications lead with the UN resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. The US did not veto the motion instead choosing to abstain whilst the UK and 14 other nations voted in favour of a ceasefire. One right-leaning publication finds prominent space on its front page for the story but says some Tory MPs are not happy that the UK did not follow the US in abstaining from voting.
Princess Kate coverage is mostly just the tabloids at this point as they look at the fact there has been a spike in searches for cancer since Kate’s announcement.
‘China is a threat to Britain’
Numerous editorial pieces are urging the government to take a tougher stance against China.
The Daily Express says “It’s time to stand up to Chinese meddling,” whilst the Telegraph says”Beijing’s threats must be firmly challenged.” Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, writing in the same publication, cautions that the UK has been sluggish in addressing this escalating threat. He reiterates his analogy from yesterday’s Commons session, likening the government’s sanctions announcement to “watching an elephant giving birth to a mouse,” and emphasises the need for ministers to acknowledge China as a “systemic threat.”
Calls for UK government
to get tough on China
amid hack attacks on uk
The Express leads the calls for MPs to get tough with China. The paper leads with Duncan Smith – one of the MPs who was targeted by hackers. The paper says he is calling for the UK to label China as a “threat” like the USA has already done.
The i newspaper says the Cabinet can’t decide on how to respond to the threat, adding that MPs who have reportedly been targeted are “underwhelmed” by the response to sanction two people and one Chinese company.
The Daily Mail reports on the “fury” over the UK’s “feeble rebuke to China.” The paper says PM Rishi Sunak is under pressure to get tough with Beijing.
The Times leads with Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden, who has indicated that ministers are set to declare China a threat to national security following revelations of the cyber-attacks.
‘UN call for ceasefire isolates Israel’
The Guardian leads on Monday’s call by the UN Security Council for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The paper says the move has left Israel in “near-total isolation” on the world stage. It adds that the development is a “significant break” between Washington and the Israeli government and says it shows “a long-delayed show of international unity.”
The Telegraph says No 10 is facing backlash from Tory MPs on Monday night after the UK helped to pass the UN resolution. The paper says David Cameron was challenged by four of his party colleagues at a meeting of the backbench 1922 committee, with those who wanted to know why Britain had backed the motion when the US had abstained.
‘Kate cancer battle’
Several of the tabloids continue their coverage of Princess Kate and her cancer diagnosis.
The Mirror reports Princess Kate’s video announcement of her cancer has sparked a rise in online searches about the disease and its symptoms. The paper says she has been praised for raising awareness by health bosses and charities who say it could save lives.
The Sun reports Kate’s braveness will save lives, according to NHS England’s cancer chief. Her revelation has inspired hundreds of thousands of people to get checked, the paper adds. It says her “courageous” video message “worked spectacularly” – meaning “she’s done more good with one statement than the sick trolls who target her will do in a lifetime”.