The final TV showdown between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer before their ultimate battle at the ballot boxes dominates Thursday’s front pages. The Guardian’s headline describes the BBC debate between the pair as “tetchy” – but says Sir Keir took aim at the Conservatives’ “culture at the top” following news of the election betting scandal.
“Sunak rams home tax message” is the Times’ headline as it says the prime minister hammered home his tax warnings about Labour’s leader – while Sir Keir accused the Tory leader of being out of touch with the UK.
The Daily Telegraph’s headline focuses on the Tory leader’s warning to voters “not to surrender Britain to Labour”. It points out that Mr Sunak used the word “surrender” time and time again during the debate as he criticised Labour’s policies.
“No idea!” exclaims the Daily Express as it points out that Sir Keir Starmer failed “nine times” during the debate to give an answer on how his party would tackle the small boats crisis. The paper has long been supportive of Mr Sunak’s policy on the issue and a sub-headline adds that “the PM urged voters ‘not to surrender’ UK’s borders”.
The Daily Mail also delves into the reaction following the debate. “You are taking people for fools” is its headline as it says the prime minister took aim at Labour’s “nonsensical” plans to tackle illegal migration. The paper says he then opened “a second front” by accusing the Labour leader of “not being straight with people” about his tax plans Elsewhere, England talisman Phil Foden is pictured alongside his childhood sweetheart Rebecca Cooke after flying back from Germany to be at her side for the birth of their third baby.
The England star is also pictured at the top of the Daily Mirror, which traditionally backs Labour at general elections but is one of the few papers not to cover the TV debate on its front page. Instead it splashes with the headline “Holly kidnap kit” as it says jurors at Chelmsford Crown Court were shown footage of ankle shackles, a ball gag, rope, metal cable ties and handcuffs that were allegedly going to be used in a plot to kidnap, rape and kill TV star Holly Willoughby. Defendant Gavin Plumb denies the charges.
A different court story features on the front of the Metro as Constance Marten is pictured following the convictions of her and her partner Mark Gordon. The pair were found guilty of hiding the birth of their baby – who was found dead last year after a seven-week search. The paper mentions the couple will face a retrial next year on charges the jury could not reach a verdict upon. At the top of the paper is an image of actress Eva Longoria as she returns to the world of TV and Metro reviews her new show Land of Women.
Catching the eye at the top of the Financial Times is a graphic of a $100 bill which teases an investigation by the paper that says a new global money laundering network has emerged between so-called Chinese underground banks and Mexican drug cartels. The lead story focuses on another election – in France – where it says Rassemblement National party chief is “convinced” it will secure an outright parliamentary majority in snap elections later this month.
Russian hackers are responsible for an NHS cyber-attack, according to the front of the i newspaper. Separately, according to latest election polling in the paper, it says support for Nigel Farage’s Reform Party is dipping – offering a “glimmer of hope” for the Tories. Notably above the main headline is a message for readers as to why the i will not be backing any particular political party in this election – or ever in the future.
Finally, the Daily Star follows up on the photo which made a few front pages on Wednesday – showing an England fan dozing off during the Three Lions 0-0 draw with Slovenia in Cologne. The tabloid interviews him for Thursday’s edition as he tells the paper he had a dream England were winning – “and then I woke up”
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