The final television debate between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer before the General Election takes centre stage on the front pages of Thursday’s newspapers.
Describing the debate as “tetchy”, The Guardian says the two leaders clashed on the Westminster betting scandal while Sir Keir criticised the culture at the top of the Conservative Party.
GUARDIAN: PM and Starmer clash over betting scandal in tetchy final TV debate #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/C0SfDJ8Cia
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) June 26, 2024
The Times says Mr Sunak warned voters not to “surrender” to Labour and accused his opposite number of plotting tax rises, while Mr Starmer compared the Prime Minister to his predecessor Liz Truss.
TIMES: Sunak rams home tax message in final debate #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/sQvwQxezEP
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) June 26, 2024
The Daily Telegraph echoes Mr Sunak’s message not to hand over control of Britain to Labour in what it called a “fiery” debate.
The front page of tomorrow’s Daily Telegraph:
‘Sunak’s plea to voters: Don’t surrender Britain to Labour’#TomorrowsPapersToday
Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/x8AV4Oomry pic.twitter.com/Z9ngshWy0E
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) June 26, 2024
Labour’s tax plans also feature on the front of the Daily Mail, which says Mr Sunak warned they would be “whacked up” as well as labelling the Opposition’s plans to tackle immigration as “nonsensical” – a theme picked up in the Daily Express, which says Sir Keir failed to give an answer on small boats.
MAIL: You are taking people for fools! #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/hE4YgVm6dT
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) June 26, 2024
Thursday’s front page: No idea! https://t.co/PojwpOFx2b pic.twitter.com/ndJloxOfbZ
— Daily Express (@Daily_Express) June 26, 2024
The Labour leader is also the focus of The Independent, which says he has told striking junior doctors he will not meet their wage demands.
INDEPENDENT: Starmer squares up to striking doctors: I won’t give 35% rise #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/yDgZcHyhwR
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) June 26, 2024
The Financial Times looks at an election elsewhere, saying French far-right leader Jordan Bardella has pledged a “cultural battle” against Islamism.
Just published: front page of the Financial Times, UK edition, Thursday 27 June https://t.co/N2p7CL64oT pic.twitter.com/FQrzyrW8tU
— Financial Times (@FT) June 26, 2024
The i also looks overseas, saying Russian hackers responsible for a cyber attack on the NHS are part of an “army protected by the Kremlin”.
I PAPER: Revealed: Russian hackers behind NHS attack are part of cyber army protected by the Kremlin #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/Sx429uIP1e
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) June 26, 2024
The trial of a man accused of plotting to murder television presenter Holly Willoughby features on the front of the Daily Mirror.
Thursday’s front page: Holly accused had chloroform in his horrendous kit#TomorrowsPaperTodayhttps://t.co/cSqThmTexb pic.twitter.com/u7JHoGIsAY
— The Mirror (@DailyMirror) June 26, 2024
The Metro also concentrates on a trial as a couple were found guilty of hiding the birth of their baby, but face a retrial on charges surrounding the child’s death.
Tomorrow’s Papers Today ?
? ARISTOCRAT GUILTY OVER SECRET BIRTH#tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/NQtuyYq3df
— Metro (@MetroUK) June 26, 2024
And the Daily Star focuses on an England football fan pictured sleeping during the 0-0 draw with Slovenia.
Thursday’s front page: https://t.co/Bfg41a1mU1 pic.twitter.com/uSvDP3WiCm
— Daily Star (@dailystar) June 26, 2024