Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
Thursday’s front pages report on the continuing unease about the government tax cut plans and the mess of the Tory party following the prime minister’s first PMQs since the unveiling of the mini-budget.
Liz Truss has been told by her top advisers to “rip up” the mini-budget and raise corporation tax “as the price of restoring confidence in her government” according to the Times.
The paper says the PM faces the choice “between further unnerving the markets or a politically humiliating retreat.”
The Financial Times reports that “a growing number” of Tory MPs also want the PM to scrap or phase in tax cuts “rather than embark on a painful squeeze on public spending over many years.” The Daily Mirror sums up the situation with the headline: “U-turn or you go.”
Tories are in “open revolt” says the headline on the front page of the i. The paper says the PM has failed to settle the nerves of her backbenchers at a meeting of the 1922 Committee last night. “If anything”, the paper claims, “her situation has worsened after a shaky performance in the face of their anger and despair”.
The Guardian reports that one MP told them the atmosphere was “funeral” whilst another said the PM had “done absolutely nothing to reassure colleagues whatsoever.” HuffPost UK reports that the Tory whips “couldn’t be bothered getting people to ask supportive questions.”
But the ever-supportive Daily Express has a positive spin for Liz Truss. The paper says the PM “swatted away” the attacks on her economic plans at PMQs yesterday – with her supporters instead directing anger at the Bank of England.
King Charles III’s coronation
The Daily Telegraph says the Palace is reconsidering whether to crown Camilla as Queen Consort next year with a controversial Indian diamond. Whilst the Daily Mail says it could cause a diplomatic incident between the UK and India – which could scupper future trade deals.
The Sun reports that American scientists have successfully grafted human brain cells into rats – which is hoes could help them better understand conditions such as epilepsy.
