Boris Johnson faces heavy criticism across most newspaper front pages today after a dramatic revolt by Conservative MPs over new measures designed to slow the spread of the Omicron variant.
Most papers took a decidedly critical tone and raised questions about the future of his leadership after nearly a third of MPs voted against mandatory Covid passes as the UK battles a surge in Covid cases.
The Times splash ran with the headline “Huge Covid rebellion stuns PM,” alongside another a story suggesting more than one million people could be isolating with coronavirus on Christmas Day. The paper said Johnson suffered “the biggest rebellion of his premiership” last night and some MPs “openly questioned his future.”
Wednesday’s TIMES: “Huge Covid rebellion stuns PM” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/GhFtWXjWGe
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) December 14, 2021
The Guardian took a similar line, suggesting the scale of the Tory rebellion “raises questions” over whether Johnson would in fact implement tougher Covid restrictions in the coming days.
Wednesday’s GUARDIAN: “Johnson suffers huge Tory rebellion over Covid passes” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/s048UKj2hY
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) December 14, 2021
The Daily Telegraph continued the same theme with the headline: “Tory Covid rebels deal hammer blow to Johnson’s authority”, describing the rebellion as much bigger than expected.
📰The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph:
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) December 14, 2021
'Tory Covid rebels deal hammer blow to Johnson's authority'#TomorrowsPapersToday
Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/x8AV4Oomry pic.twitter.com/TA1cFNAYhY
The Daily Mirror included an exclusive photo of 24 Tory aides pictured at a Christmas party last December. The headline reads: “Boris bashed by 99 rebels as Tory quits over THIS party pic.”
The paper continues to describe the event as a “raucous” Christmas party thrown in Westminster during coronavirus restrictions.
Wednesday’s Daily MIRROR: “Monstrous” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/cOZl8gssUq
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) December 14, 2021
The Daily Express notes the revolt “bruises Boris” but asks whether he will be “proved right” over the need to introduce the latest Covid restrictions.
Wednesday’s Daily EXPRESS: “Revolt Bruises Boris, But Will PM Be Proved Right?” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/L0SVdSNw9J
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) December 14, 2021
The Financial Times has “Johnson suffers biggest setback of premiership in ‘plan B’ rebellion”, and notes the upcoming byelection in North Shropshire.
Wednesday's FT: Johnson suffers biggest setback of premiership in 'plan B' rebellion #TomorrowsPapersToday #FinancialTimes #FT pic.twitter.com/SMfjKtWFXW
— Tomorrows Papers Today (@TmorrowsPapers) December 14, 2021
Metro gives the main picture to the Star Hobson story but the splash headline is: “PM’s Xmas stuffing”.
Wednesday’s METRO: “PM’s Xmas Stuffing” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/9VWIYs4VJq
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) December 14, 2021
The Daily Mail points to an inside spread with the strapline: “98 Tory rebels: no more curbs, Boris”.
Wednesday’s Daily MAIL: “Not Again” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/y75Yh3Rgu4
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) December 14, 2021
While the Sun carries a mention of “Politicians lose heads over Covid” it focuses on the Queen hosting Christmas dinner this year.
Wednesday’s SUN: “Keep Calm Like Ma’am” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/krvUYQ5xe0
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) December 14, 2021
