Editorial 12 April 2024. 

Like most of the week, Friday’s front pages feature a variety of stories, with only domestic politics as the thread running through most of the papers. 

Several papers note the death of the former NFL player and accused double murderer OJ Simpson, who died after a battle with cancer. Other celebrity news stories are also featured on the tabloid front pages. 

Defence will be No 1 issue for Labour if they win election

Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer writes in the Daily Mail that he believes in the UK’s nuclear deterrent and that is committed to the UK’s defences. The paper says his stance is a “major shift” from former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. 

The i newspaper also leads on an interview with Sir Keir who tells them that he would increase military spending to 2.5% of GDP if Labour wins the general election. He tells the paper that defence would be the “number one issue” for his government. 

The Guardian reports that Labour has been told it is at risk of losing as many as a dozen of its main target seats because loyal voters in urban areas are turning away from the party. 

Pollsters have warned that Labour’s stance on Gaza has angered some Muslims, whilst younger voters are not happy with Labour’s lack of focus on climate change. One senior adviser tells the paper: “At the moment it looks like it doesn’t matter as our poll lead is so wide, but it could hurt if they narrow and those voters don’t come back.”

The FT says Tory hopes to go into the upcoming general election with cheaper mortgages and lower taxes have been hit. Traders have scaled back expectations of interest rate cuts this year after figures showed US inflation stayed unexpectedly high. 

It’s politics on the front page of the Express as well, with the tabloid calling for an end to what it calls “triple lock pension injustice for millions.” The paper says less than one-third of pensioners received an 8.5% hike on their incomes that had been due this week.

OJ Simpson dead at 76

A fair few of the front pages find space to report on the death of OJ Simpson, and several tabloids lead on his death. 

The Sun quotes Caitlyn Jenner – who was friends with the family back during the murders – “Good riddance,” she said. 

Nicole Brown, the then-wife of OJ Simpson, and her friend were brutally stabbed to death outside her LA home. OJ was infamously acquitted of their murders, but the verdict was widely criticised.

The Mirror says the acquittal came “despite the overwhelming evidence against him” and that “few were last night mourning” him.

The Metro also reports on his death but leads on JK Rowling who said she will not forgive the stars of the Harry Potter films for their support of the trans rights movement. Actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint have all publicly criticised Rowling’s comments on the issue. Responding to a fan on social media who suggested the stars might apologise “safe in the knowledge you will forgive them”, Rowling responded: “Not safe, I’m afraid”.