Today’s news summary – Paper Talk: ‘Tories are imploding’ as ‘Sunak faces rebellion’
Rishi Sunak’s struggle to gain support within his party for the latest attempt to send migrants to Rwanda dominates Friday’s headlines.
Several papers pay tribute to poet Benjamin Zephaniah after his death at 65. Other papers feature images of the royals and Adele.
‘Sunak facing rebellion’
The i leads with the headline “Wounded PM faces growing rebellion,” while The Guardian and the Daily Express report that both right-wing and centrist Tory MPs are considering voting against the Safety of Rwanda Bill in Parliament next week.
The Guardian says the PM is “battling to hold together the fractured Conservative Party” amid speculation he could face a challenge to his position. It says with Labour stating it will oppose the bill, only 29 Conservative MPs would be needed to vote it down.
The Daily Mirror declares that the Tories are “imploding,” stating that Sunak is facing difficulties in maintaining his position. The paper notes that 18 MPs have submitted letters of no confidence in the prime minister, with more expected.
‘Tories urged to stop squabbling’
The Daily Mail anticipates that the 53 letters needed to trigger a leadership contest might not be reached before Christmas. However, if the current mood persists, a challenge to Sunak’s leadership could arise in the new year.
The paper’s editorial calls on right-wing and centrist Conservative MPs to “stop squabbling and back the Rwanda Bill,” criticising their behaviour as resembling “unruly teenagers” rather than a serious governing party. The paper urges them to unite for the greater common good.
The Daily Telegraph emphasises a warning from Conservative chairman Richard Holden, who deems it “insanity” to oust Sunak before the next election. Holden urges party members to be more “introspective” and emphasises that divided parties do not win elections.
The Daily Express’s editorial echoes a similar sentiment, cautioning right-wing Tories that rejecting the Rwanda bill could hinder deportation flights before the next election and potentially trigger a political crisis leading to economic instability.
The Times reports that two senior lawyers have warned Sunak about potential flaws in the legislation, stating that the bill, which deems Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, still allows migrants to challenge its safety based on individual circumstances.
The Financial Times leads with the Labour Party enlisting 10 City advisers “to help cement confidence” in the business sector. Speaking to the broadsheet, shadow city minister Tulip Siddiq said the party was embracing the City and was working hard to end the perception it was “sneering” at business.
‘Review of BBC funding’
In other news, the Sun leads with an investigation into former This Morning presenter Philip Schofield’s affair with a production team member, highlighting the lack of cooperation from Schofield and his former lover during ITV’s inquiry.
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer, writing in the Mail, argues that prosecuting people for not paying their TV licence is “morally indefensible.” She announces a review of BBC funding, with the report set to be published next autumn.
The Times reports on a Eurostat survey revealing that Germany has dropped to the bottom of the EU’s happiness rankings, citing concerns related to economic stagnation, the war in Ukraine, government disarray, and immigration.
The Metro reports on the inquest of headteacher Ruth Perry who took her own life while waiting for an Ofsted report to be published. The coroner concluded the Ofsted inspection contributed to her death and said at times it was “rude and intimidating”.
