Editorial 10 July 2024.
Wednesday’s front pages report on the Nato summit in Washington and England’s upcoming Euros match against the Netherlands – the winner will face Spain in the finals.
Most papers lead on UK politics. Sir Keir Starmer is heading to Washington to join the Nato summit where he’ll urge other European countries to up their defence spending. For many of the right-learning conservative newspapers, there are concerns Starmer is acting quickly enough and anger over Labour’s decision to rip up the Rwanda plan.
Many of the tabloids lead on the upcoming Euros match.
‘Starmer calls on Nato to increase defence spending’
The Guardian says the prime minister will urge other countries in the alliance to increase their defence spending to 2.5% of their economic output.
The Times says PM Keir Starmer has been accused of “playing with fire” because he is delaying a decision to increase the UK’s military budget until after a major review of the armed forces. The paper says it could take months and some former military leaders say investment in the forces can’t wait, given the threats facing the UK.
The Daily Telegraph says the review will consider an increase in the size of the armed forces. The paper says the review will focus on the changing threats of warfare, including a focus on drones. The paper’s editorial urges European Nato powers to start taking greater responsibility for their own security and increase defence spending. Despite the Ukrainian war, the PM has yet to confirm when the military budget will hit 2.5% of the economic output, the paper adds.
‘Rwanda plan scrapped’
The Daily Express’s editorial slams the Labour Party for scrapping the Rwanda plan – a flagship policy of the former government that never really took off. The paper says Sir Keir and his friends have axed a vital deterrent. James Cleverly says the Labour government has in effect hung an “open” sign on the white cliffs of Dover.
The i newspaper says Sir Tim Barrow, the national security adviser, has been told that he will not be Britain’s next ambassador to Washington. The PM is expected to make a political appointment to the job with David Miliband and Lord Mandelson being the frontrunners.
England vs Netherlands Euros semi-finals
Many of the papers lead on tonight’s Euro 2024 semi-final between England and the Netherlands. The winner of tonight’s match will face Spain in the final. The Daily Star asks “How’s the nerves” whilst the Express reports “Let’s make history,” as it quotes England boss Gareth Southgate. The Mirror reports England will have the backing of pubs in Germany – in the hope a victory will keep fans boozing.