Boris Johnson’s sudden exit from the Tory leadership race fills the UK front pages on Monday.
The Guardian goes with, “‘Not the right time’: Johnson out of race to lead the Tories”. The paper writes that the “Former PM struggled for backing” and that his “withdrawal leaves Sunak as frontrunner in battle for No 10”.
Whitehall editor Rowena Mason writes that “Johnson claimed to have won the support of 102 colleagues – two clear of the threshold needed – but only 60 had publicly stated their support for him.”
Monday's Guardian: 'Not the right time': Johnson out of race to lead the Tories #TomorrowsPapersToday #TheGuardian #Guardian pic.twitter.com/JfBHPbZdqK
— Tomorrows Papers Today (@TmorrowsPapers) October 23, 2022
The Sun goes with “Bojo: It’s a no”. The paper reports that Johnson “threw in the towel over fears he could win the Tory crown with the party membership – but be unable to form a government with angry MPs.”
An editorial in the paper warns the former prime minister that “Now is not the time, Boris.”
On tomorrow's front page: Boris Johnson dramatically pulls out of PM race clearing way for Rishi Sunak v Penny Mordaunt contest for No10https://t.co/INRWuRBvmU pic.twitter.com/Ow7h8fl6ox
— The Sun (@TheSun) October 23, 2022
Under the headline “Rishi set for No 10 as Boris bows out” the Daily Mail writes that “The former prime minister insisted he had the backers to make the ballot paper and could win a vote among party members. But he said this would simply not be the right thing to do.”
The paper also carries a comment piece that says, “For the good of the party and the country, Mr Johnson set his dream aside. This is a gesture of wisdom, honour and statesmanship. His time will come again.”
Monday's Mail: Rishi Set For No10 As Boris Bows Out #TomorrowsPapersToday #DailyMail #Mail pic.twitter.com/m0C9fd9sRd
— Tomorrows Papers Today (@TmorrowsPapers) October 23, 2022
Scotland’s Daily Record says “Tories make a farce of it”.
Under the banner, “Leadership race descends into chaos,” the paper reports that “Boris Johnson was forced to scrap his Tory leadership bid … just hours after bragging about having enough support to run.” The paper labels it a “humiliating U-turn”.
Monday's Record: Tories Make A Farce Of It #TomorrowsPapersToday #DailyRecord #Record pic.twitter.com/tufq8K1skh
— Tomorrows Papers Today (@TmorrowsPapers) October 23, 2022
Rishi Sunak’s leadership campaign dominates most of the other front pages. The Mirror splashes with “Sunak set for power” and writes that the former chancellor is “on the brink of becoming Britain’s latest unelected PM.”
It notes that “Only Penny Mordaunt now stands in the way of Mr Sunak.”
Monday's front page: Sunak set for power #TomorrowsPapersTodayhttps://t.co/wg3Clzl4kt pic.twitter.com/Bz2Lh7KRqp
— The Mirror (@DailyMirror) October 23, 2022
The Telegraph, however, appears to have discounted Mordaunt’s leadership campaign, with the headline “Sunak set to become PM as Johnson pulls out”.
A report from its political editor says “Much depends on whether she can hoover up Mr Johnson’s backers, a task that could be tricky”.
Monday's Telegraph: Sunak set to become PM as Johnson pulls out #TomorrowsPapersToday #DailyTelegraph #Telegraph pic.twitter.com/1SW66EXzGY
— Tomorrows Papers Today (@TmorrowsPapers) October 23, 2022
The Times carries a similar headline: “Sunak set for No 10 as Johnson quits race”. The papers writes that the “Ex-PM blames lack of unity among candidates” for his exit from the race.
It reports that Johnson accused Sunak and Mordaunt of “failing to come together in the national interest after they rebuffed his attempts to strike a deal.” It was reported that Johnson met with Sunak and Mordaunt over the weekend, urging them to pull out.
Monday's Times: Sunak set for No 10 as Johnson quits race #TomorrowsPapersToday #TheTimes #Times pic.twitter.com/B0zb4DbsaZ
— Tomorrows Papers Today (@TmorrowsPapers) October 23, 2022
The Express leads with “Rishi new PM in waiting after Boris quits race”. The paper says that “Rishi Sunak is set to be crowned the next Prime Minister”.
Monday's Express: Rishi New PM In Waiting After Boris Quits Race #TomorrowsPapersToday #DailyExpress #Express pic.twitter.com/Pt1F3niFrb
— Tomorrows Papers Today (@TmorrowsPapers) October 23, 2022
