The papers all lead with Brexit chaos, the resignation of Dominic Raab and Esther McVey and Theresa May’s leadership troubles, with some suggesting it’s only a matter of time before the prime minister is forced out.
The Daily Mail, continuing its eye-watering about-face in the wake of Paul Dacre’s exit, is furious with those seeking to undermine the prime minister, running the headline: “Have they lost the plot?”
The paper calls May’s critics “peacocking saboteurs”, “low-grade assassins” and “preening Tory saboteurs” who will “undermine the PM, their party, Brexit and Britain’s future”, who have “not a grand plan” but an “economic suicide note”.
Friday's @DailyMailUK #MailFrontPages pic.twitter.com/NVovLCKzbM
— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) November 15, 2018
It is quite a strong tone from a paper that just weeks ago under a different editor might have been scathing of a “soft” Brexit deal like this one.
The Daily Express is also supportive of the PM, splashing on: “Defiant May: I’ll fight to the end”.
Friday’s Daily EXPRESS: “Defiant May: I’ll Fight To The End” #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/k1SGA4JGgv
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) November 15, 2018
The Daily Telegraph uses May’s speech for its headline: “Am I going to see this through? Yes I am.” But, as has been the case over the last few days, the Telegraph’s front page also features quotes from opinion columnists that are highly critical of May. Today, Allison Pearson writes on why the Prime Minister should resign immediately saying she is not the “chess grandmaster” they need to negotiate with Brussels, she is merely “the runner-up in the 1973 Towcester tiddlywinks competition”.
The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph 'Am I going to see this through? Yes, I am' #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/ejFGiMa0MJ
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) November 15, 2018
The Times also highlights the prime minister’s woes, saying: “Lonely May staggers on”. The paper reports May has been “savaged” by ministers and was “at the mercy of her remaining Brexit cabinet ministers”, noting the “scale of her challenge in getting the deal through the Commons was underlined during three hours of questioning in the House.”
Friday’s TIMES: “Lonely May staggers on” #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/AIqyFOqN1N
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) November 15, 2018
The Guardian focuses on the prime minister’s efforts to keep the party together, her deal on the table, and her job, saying she had had a “bruising day of resignations and backbench mutiny” under the headline “Resignations, a coup and a day of hostility. But May fights on”.
Guardian front page, Friday 16 November 2018: Resignations, a coup and a day of hostility. But May fights on pic.twitter.com/zDycxDfGUY
— The Guardian (@guardian) November 15, 2018
The FT plays it fairly straight with: “May defiant as draft deal threatens Tory civil war”. As does the Scotsman which says “May battles on as her power drains away”.
Just published: front page of the Financial Times, international edition, Friday 16 November https://t.co/p5NPGcLiaD pic.twitter.com/B3jFIJZYlB
— Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) November 15, 2018
Friday’s SCOTSMAN: “May battles on as her power drains away” #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/VQKUQaMsvU
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) November 15, 2018
The i leads with “Plotters move in on the PM” and lists the woes of facing the prime minister, including “four ministers quit, three are on the brink – and Gove rejects Brexit Secretary job”. The paper warns a no-confidence vote could “force her out of office in days”.
Friday’s i - “Plotters move in on the PM” #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/VKLrGTi3Ii
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) November 15, 2018
The Sun follows on the rather tortured cricket analogy used by a journalist at May’s press conference – “She’s on a sticky wicket” is their headline – after the prime minister said she would “dig in like cricket legend Geoff Boycott”.
Tomorrow's front page: May vows to dig in like cricket legend Geoffrey Boycott as she’s STILL stuck in Brexit mire https://t.co/8qvVOnBAsN pic.twitter.com/8x9qiJp34Y
— The Sun (@TheSun) November 15, 2018
The Mirror also runs with the cricketing talk, but is less charitable to the PM, running the headline “Stumped”.
Tomorrow's front page: Stumped #tomorrowspaperstoday https://t.co/SV0sdT5KEo pic.twitter.com/TedRVz6B3T
— Daily Mirror (@DailyMirror) November 15, 2018
Looking abroad, the International New York Times has Brexit on its front page with the headline “Brexit deal has arrived. Hello, chaos”,
Friday’s International NEW YORK TIMES: “Where’s the bouquet?” #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/2wPRDqqmql
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) November 15, 2018
In Germany, Die Zeit noted that May was “not giving up”, while Süddeutsche Zeitung warned of a looming “Showdown for the prime minister”.
Der Spiegel went with a football analogy: “Theresa May in Brexit finals: The thrashed prime minister”. Meanwhile Bild Zeitung summed the drama up like this: “Government crisis in London: Resign? No way! May defends her Brexit deal”.
In France Le Figaro says “The Brexit of Theresa May hangs by a thread”, Le Monde says “‘I will go to the end’ says Theresa May”.
