The crisis engulfing Boris Johnson’s premiership could be reaching the terminal stage, judging by the press reaction to the Tories’ humiliating double byelection losses in Wakefield and Tiverton and Honiton.
The Daily Telegraph, the traditional voice of the Conservative party, carries a splash with the headline “Tory rebels plot next move to unseat PM”, and reports that the prime minister’s “enemies to push for control of 1922 committee after by-election defeats”.
📰The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph:
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) June 24, 2022
'Tory rebels plot next move to unseat PM'#TomorrowsPapersToday
Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/x8AV4Oomry pic.twitter.com/Zakw7zbuBH
The Times has a very similar lead story under the headline “PM faces new Tory threat” and quotes one minister as saying that some disgruntled ministers facing the sack in a forthcoming government reshuffle could resign and lead “pre-emptive strikes” against Johnson.
Saturday’s TIMES: “PM faces new Tory threat” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/ZZzsD15a39
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) June 24, 2022
“Tory grandees tell Johnson after historic defeat: just go”, is the main story in the Guardian, focusing on the words of the Tory party chair, Oliver Dowden, who quit in the wake of the byelection defeats and wrote in a stinging resignation letter: “We cannot carry on with business as usual. Someone must take responsibility.”
Guardian front page, Saturday 25 June 2022: Tory grandees tell Johnson after historic defeat: just go pic.twitter.com/gkdHEzZU2V
— The Guardian (@guardian) June 24, 2022
The Mirror says “Go now”, echoing the call of former Tory leader Michael Howard that the party would be “better off” if Johnson resigned.
Saturday's front page: GO NOW https://t.co/eEFOS35T11 #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/5i7OJYYdNM
— The Mirror (@DailyMirror) June 24, 2022
The Express strikes a defiant tone with the headline “Boris vows to fight next general election … and win!”.
But the fear raging through Tory ranks is highlighted by the Mail splash, which is on Sajid Javid demanding that Labour and the Lib Dems “come clean” about what he says is an unofficial coalition designed to oust Boris Johnson. “Javid: tell public the truth about anti-Tory pact”, says the headline.
Saturday’s @DailyMailUK #MailFrontPages pic.twitter.com/8mJPbvCtzO
— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) June 24, 2022
The FT reports “Johnson faces fresh crisis as Tories lose two by-elections and their party chair”, but the lead on its front page is on the big news from America: “Top US court scraps Roe vs Wade in heavy blow to abortion rights”.
Just published: Front page of the FTWeekend, UK edition, for Sat/Sun 25/26th June pic.twitter.com/eFU8HSiu1S
— Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) June 24, 2022
The i also leads on the abortion story but carries what it calls an “exclusive” front page story saying “Johnson threatened with new vote of no confidence”.
The Scotsman says “Tories plot as Johnson told ‘go now’ for good of party”.
SCOTSMAN On Saturday: “Tories plot as Johnson told ‘go now’ for good of party” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/ZYi9VTRhOv
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) June 24, 2022
The Yorkshire Post, whose region includes many Tory MPs whose majorities are vulnerable at the next general election, leads with “PM braced for ‘attacks’ from voters”.
Weekend YORKSHIRE Post: “PM braced for ‘attacks’ from voters” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/XUA8Qde3Gk
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) June 24, 2022
