Editorial 01 July 2024.
French far right sweeps election leaving Macron humiliated
Monday’s front pages are dominated by two stories: the French elections and England’s National Football team.
The French headed to the polls on Sunday and as opinion polls predicted, the far-right National Rally (RN) party swept the first round of voting. The snap French elections have caused chaos in France – with many papers noting that Macron’s decision to call the election, appears to have backfired.
England’s last-16 match also features – with images of Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane on most front pages. England put in another poor performance, losing 1-0 to Slovakia before Jude Bellingham scored a stunning overhead kick to equalise – in the 95th minute. Captain Harry Kane gave England the lead just one minute into extra time.
Elsewhere, the papers also leave room for the upcoming UK general election – to be held on Thursday. There’s no surprise in how the papers cover the UK elections with the right-leaning papers warning Labour can’t be trusted on issues like defence, immigration and the economy and the left-leaning papers reporting on the 14 years of hell under the Tories and Labour’s promises of a brighter future.
‘Macron humiliated as party wiped out’
The Times leads on the French election. The paper picks up on National Rally leader Marie Le Pen’s quote that she has “wiped out” Macron and reduced his party to third place. Exit polls suggest the RN won 34% of the votes in the first round of the country’s parliamentary election. The paper calls the RN’s victory “an unprecedented triumph.”
The Telegraph says Macron’s decision to call a snap election – which caused widespread shock – appears to have “spectacularly backfired.” The paper carries quotes from Le Pen who says she has “wiped out” Macon’s party.
The FT says the far-right will be at “the heart of the government” if Le Pen wins the second and final round on 7 July. The paper notes the far right hasn’t been in power in France since the Vichy regime, collaborated with Nazi Germany during the Second World War.
The Guardian notes that Le Pen’s anti-immigration party is now within reach of becoming the biggest political force in France.
‘Sunak fights for Tories’ undecided’
The Times previews a speech the prime minister will give on Monday ahead of the UK general election on Thursday. Rishi Sunak will turn “fire on [Nigel] Farage in battle for the undecided voters.”
The Telegraph writes PM Sunak will tell voters on Monday that Putin is hoping for a Labour victory. The prime minister told the paper that the UK’s support of Ukraine means “Russia does not want us [Conservatives] to be re-elected.”
The Mail also previews the PM’s Monday speech. The paper says Sunak will warn unhappy Tory voters that they risk keeping Labour in power for a generation if they vote for Reform UK. The paper tells voters they only have “four days to save Britain from a Labour government.”
The Express leads with Kemi Badenoch who tells the paper her “heart breaks” when Conservatives tell her they intend to vote for Reform UK.
The Guardian has an exclusive interview with Labour leader Sir Kier Starner who “vows his party would work to restore faith in politics” if they win on Thursday. Starmer tells the paper he would bring an end to the “‘divisive and toxic’ culture wars that have beset the country.”
The Independent leads on Labour responding to claims that their VAT plans on private schools are to blame for the drop in entries. Enrolments at independent schools this academic year have dropped 2.7%, according to figures from the Independent Schools Council (ISC).
The i – which isn’t backing either party this election – reports that economists have warned both the Tories and Labour that the UK is heading for “stagnation” after the election. Sunak and Starmer are “failing to offer a ‘serious plan’ to grow the UK economy”, economists told the paper.
‘Saved by the Bellingham’
Most papers feature images of Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane. The Times says “Three Lions through after last-gasp leap.” The Telegraph features an image of Bellingham’s bicycle kick with the headline: “Hooray Jude.” The Guardian, the Mail and the i all feature the same image with headlines such as “Hail Jude” and “Saved by the Bellingham.”
The Sun dedicates its entire front page to Bellingham’s overhead kick – in the 95th minute to equaliser (Kane went on to score in extra time). “Saved by the Bell” is the headline.
The Metro dedicates its entire front page to the win as well – with Harry Kane’s celebration pictured. The Daily Mirror says England put fans “through hell” after another poor performance before coming to life just minutes before the team were set to be knocked out of the tournament.
The Express also reports on the stressful performance, joking that Sunday was far from relaxing. The Daily Star says “Bellingham saves us, then Harry wins it.”