Editorial 28 March 2024.

Thursday’s front pages carry various stories – mostly domestic news. Several of the papers report on UK politics, with speculation on a summer general election. There’s coverage of the backlash from the raw sewage spills, and King Charles’s upcoming Easter message.

A few of the tabloids lead on celebrity news, but all-in-all there isn’t much unity on the front pages this morning.

‘Raw sewage spill outrage’ 

The Guardian leads on backlash facing water companies in England after data revealed raw sewage was discharged for more than 3.6 million hours into rivers and seas last year. A water company source tells the paper, “we have wasted 15 years, we haven’t invested enough”.

The Telegraph reports campaigners have accused the Environment Agency of being an “apologist” for water firms after it said the record sewage spills were the result of wet weather. 

The i newspaper says environmentalists are also blaming Labour because they think the party’s proposals if they are elected to office at the next general election, to fine water bosses and block bonuses are “feeble gestures.” 

‘Could Rishi gamble on a summer election?’ 

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and his deputy, Angela Rayner have taken to the Times for a joint article. They say Tories were “starting to understand” the problems that cause regional inequality but they accuse Rishi Sunak of killing the levelling up policy at birth. The paper says the intervention represents an attempt to exploit Tory divisions, as Labour prepares to launch its local election campaign today.

The Daily Mail suggests the prime minister could “gamble” on a summer election as his aides are urging him to hold a general election as early as June. Sunak’s aides fear Tory rebels will step up their plotting and lodge no-confidence votes against him. 

The Mirror says when asked about the PM’s refusal to call a vote on the second of May when people will vote in England’s local elections, Rayner tells the paper the PM wants “one last summer with his beloved helicopter.” 

‘Gogglebox star falls to death’ 

Away from politics, several of the tabloids lead on celebrity news. The Sun reports on the death of 40-year-old Gogglebox star George Gilbey – who fell to his death in a work accident. 

The Mirror’s front page reports on the first anniversary of Paul O’grady’s death. The paper speaks to the comedian’s husband, who tells the paper: “I thought it would be forever. But I didn’t realise forever would be so short-lived.”

TV presenter Gaby Roslin writes for the Daily Star saying she is being haunted by O’Grady – as she reflects of her friendship with the late TV star. Roslin admitted she still picked up the phone to call O’Grady. “But then I had that split second where you think ‘Oh no, I can’t’. But I know that he’s haunting me,” she told the Guardian newspaper.

Pictures of the King are featured on a few front pages. 

The Telegraph carries a picture of the King recording his Easter message. The paper says he is preparing to attend an Easter Sunday service at Windsor Castle under “modified conditions.” 

The Daily Express leads on the royals. The paper also covers the King’s Easter message. The message will be broadcast at Worcester Cathedral, where a service will be led by Queen Camilla. The paper notes the address stops short directly referring to his own and daughter-in-law’s cancer battles.

Elsewhere the Express says Prince William and Princess Kate – and their children – will not be joining the Easter service as Kate recovers. 

The Times leads on an urgent investigation into prison security after one of its undercover journalists was hired at one of the country’s most dangerous jails. The paper says the journalist was able to walk inside and interact with prisoners without security searches. 

The paper’s editorial says its expose of HMP Bedford suggests “a system near to the point of breakdown” which should be a “wake-up call for politicians and the public”. The Ministry of Justice says all jail staff and visitors were “regularly and randomly searched”.