Editorial 28 April 2024.

Many of the Sunday papers lead on domestic UK politics, with the defection of Tory MP Dan Poulter, a popular story, he quit the Conservative Party to join Labour. Defections are rare, so the news is a major blow to the Tories – who are worried about a total wipeout at the upcoming general election. Elsewhere, there are reports of a challenge to the prime minister’s leadership in the coming days and another lead sees Sunak urging voters to stick with him and his plan.

Elsewhere the blood scandal compensation makes several papers.

Most of the UK back pages lead on the bust-up between Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Mo Salah on the touchline.

‘Tory MP defects to Labour’

The Observer says discussions between Poulter and senior Labour figures have been going on for many months, but only half a dozen people knew about what was planned. Dan Poulter writes in the paper saying he will not stand at the next general election, but he sees himself having a role advising Labour on its policies on mental health while focusing more on his work as an NHS doctor.

The Sunday Telegraph says a group of Tory MPs are hoping the defection will help them persuade colleagues to oust Rishi Sunak from No 10 and bring Penny Mordaunt in as his successor. The paper says the rebels want to remove Sunak and announce a wave of new policies including tax cuts and pledges on immigration and the NHS, before the next general election is called. They say if they don’t the party will be wiped out at the election.

Penny Mordaunt speaks to the Sunday Times. She has distanced herself from the rebel plotters and said MPs should stop engaging in “Westminster gymnastics.”

The Sun on Sunday says Sunak could face a challenge within days of the local elections this Thursday – if the Tories suffer at the polls. The paper says the party could lose between 400 and 500 councillors and two popular mayors.

One of those mayors, Andy Street has scrubbed references to the party from his website, according to the Sunday Mirror.

PM Rishi Sunak is interviewed on the front page of the Sunday Express. The PM has urged voters to stick with his plan. He tells the paper that he is the man to give the people “peace of mind” and unlock a “brighter future.”

‘Blood scandal compensation’

The Sunday Times leads on party whips warning Tory MPs not to back calls for immediate compensation for the victims of the contaminated blood scandal. They say it would mean the chancellor couldn’t afford to cut taxes in last month’s Budget. The paper says Treasury estimates are that the compensation payments could cost up to £22bn.

The PM suffered a Commons defeat on speeding up payments and Chancellor Hunt went on to cut 2p from NI anyway. A No 10 source said the threat was not something they were aware of.

Sir Keir Starmer writes in the Sunday Express promising to protect the pensions triple lock if he becomes PM. That’s the guarantee that state pensions will rise in line with inflation, average wage increases, or by 2.5%, whichever is highest.

The paper says Starmer’s pledge is a sign of a fierce battle for the support of the over 75s – the only age group in which more people support Tories than Labour.