Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Politics
Martin Farrer

‘Tories punished’: how the papers covered the Tories’ election reverses

Boris Johnson Sir Keir Starmer Allie HodgkinsBrown
Boris Johnson has pause for thought on a visit to Field End infant school in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency on Friday.
Boris Johnson has pause for thought on a visit to Field End infant school in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency on Friday. Photograph: WPA/Getty Images

The mounting pressure on Boris Johnson in the wake of the Conservative party’s heavy local election losses provides the lead for several papers – although some titles see Keir Starmer’s alleged lockdown breach as the bigger story.

The Guardian splash headline reads “Johnson blamed for Tory election woes” as the prime minister suffers increased scrutiny about his suitability as leader after seeing almost 400 of his councillors ousted from their seats.

The paper says the scale of the backlash aginst Johnson over the Partygate scandal was tempered by Labour’s failure to bounce back more strongly in northern England, but columnist Jonathan Freedland nevertheless says that the party is much better shape to challenge the recent Tory hegemony.

The Financial Times has a similar splash headline in which it says “Johnson faces renewed threat as Tories hit hard in local elections” above a picture of the prime minister appearing to scratch his head.

The Times reports that “Tories punished in south”, contrasting the governing party’s stronger performance in north compared with the devastating defeats suffered in London where it lost the strongholds of Wandsworth, Westminster and Barnet.

The Express identifies this point as well and makes a little bit more of it, claiming in its splash head that “Bullish Boris back on track as ‘red wall’ keeps faith”.

The Yorkshire Post is more downbeat and points out in its main story that the Tories only just scraped home in the new unitary authority in North Yorkshire: “Tory majority slashed by voting shift in heartlands”.

For the Telegraph the most interesting line from the elections is what happened in Northern Ireland where the nationalists are growing in strength. “Victory for Sinn Fein stokes united Ireland fears”, the paper says it its main headline.

The Sun focuses on the news that Durham police are investigating claims that Labour leader Keir Starmer broke lockdown rules by having a beer and takeaway curry with staff while on the campaign trail in April last year. “Are you going to korma quietly, Sir?”.

The Mail says “Now It’s Slippery Starmer In Crisis”.

North of the border, the Scotsman says that things are looking bad for the Scottish Tory leader after they slipped into third place behind Labour in the race to catch the SNP. “Ross under pressure as Tories battered at polls”, it says.

The Herald reports that “Tories are overtaken by Labour in Scotland”.

In other news, the Mirror splashes on the news that the Sussexes won’t be on the royal balcony during the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations this summer. Neither will Prince Andrew. “Snubbed” the splash headline reads.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
They say we don’t like sex, drugs, democracy or DIY. But here’s how we in gen Z really feel
Recent surveys claim to have discovered a lot of alarming things about my generation. But they’re not telling you the whole story
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Why smell and sight are close friends
New research explores the many ways our sensory experiences overlaps, teaching us new ways the brain perceives
Salon
Salon
Best American snacks: Must-try treats from across the pond for UK delivery
The United States of Snacks
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Jimmy Fallon's natural kitchen island emphasizes a 'big shift' in design trends – designers say it has the rare ability to feel 'forever new'
The Tonight Show host combines dusty red cabinets with a natural, unpainted island countertop – for a unique, natural twist in the center of his kitchen
Homes & Gardens
Homes & Gardens
Kristin Davis Shares Why the 'Sex and the City' Cast Was "Scared" of Showing Their Nipples on TV
"Like, would we be shunned?"
Marie Claire
Marie Claire
Post Malone joins reunited Nirvana at Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary concert
Adam Sandler introduced the group as ‘Post Nirvana’
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play