Following the first leaders’ debate between Sir Keir Starmer of Labour and the Conservatives’ Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, newspapers had varying takes on the televised clash. The Guardian’s headline called it an “ill-tempered debate”. Meanwhile, the i newspaper used the words “angry TV clash” and also previewed a story about the Conservatives considering the announcement of a policy that would remove the country from the European Court of Human Rights.
On the other hand, newspapers supporting the Conservatives gave positive reviews of Sunak’s debate performance. The Daily Express ran with the headline “Kapow! Feisty Rishi Floors Starmer over £2,000 tax rise”. However, Labour disagreed with the figure used by Sunak, arguing that it was based on assumptions given by Tory political advisers. The Daily Mail claimed that Sunak landed “big blows,” and post-debate polling by YouGov showed that the Prime Minister had won a narrow victory, coming out on top with 51% of the vote against Starmer’s 49%.
The Daily Telegraph focused on Starmer’s tax stance, describing him as “on the ropes.” For its part, The Times reported on the King’s attendance at events to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, which would be his “first major international event” following cancer treatment. The coverage of Farage’s personal election campaign in Clacton made the front of The Metro, carrying the headline “Shaky start for Farage,” alongside an image of Farage having a milkshake thrown his way.
The Mirror covered the veterans making the ferry journey back to Normandy in “what might be their final trip of remembrance,” carrying the headline “These are all good men.” Meanwhile, the Financial Times’s headline focused on India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, being deprived of a parliamentary majority, which was viewed as a significant upset. The publication also had a story on British universities slipping down an international list, which they attributed to a “financial squeeze and domestic political attacks on its reputation.” Lastly, the Daily Star headline covered the story of “asbo orcas” causing trouble around the Mediterranean, reported to be “smashing up and sinking boats because they’re young and have nothing better to do.
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