The Papers: Is May \'deluded\' or a \'Citizen\' leader?
Newspaper headlines: May's 'blame game' Brexit speech to nation
By BBC NewsStaff
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Photos of Theresa May standing behind a lectern at Number 10 feature on many of the front pages, after the PM's public address on Wednesday evening. Mrs May spoke directly to voters, saying she understood they were tired of Brexit - but blamed MPs for the deadlock. The Guardian describes the PM as "defiant" and that she now faces a "furious backlash" from her own MPs calling for her to quit.
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But the Daily Mirror is clearly not buying it, with its front-page headline calling her "deluded" and the accompanying story saying she "blamed everyone apart from herself for the Brexit fiasco". The PM wants to try for a third time to get her deal approved by British MPs, and a vote could be held next week. But the paper is critical, adding: "She has failed to build a cross-party consensus and negotiated badly with the EU."
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The Sun's front page is far more sympathetic to the prime minister as it reports her claim that she is "on YOUR side". The paper's photography team have been having fun, and have superimposed Mrs May's face onto the character Wolfie, from 1970s TV sitcom Citizen Smith. Its headline is "Power to the people", famously the rallying cry of the fictional anarchist who led the rabble who made up the Tooting Popular Front in the show.
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The i newspaper reports that both Remain and Leave supporters have criticised Mrs May's speech as "toxic" and that pressure is building on her to resign later this year. Former Tory minister Sam Gyimah tells the paper that Mrs May resorting to the blame game was a "low blow". The paper adds that her decision to blame MPs "is likely to do her few favours when it comes to tabling her Brexit deal for a third meaningful vote next week".
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The Daily Express describes the PM's statement as "highly personal", as she said the delay to Brexit was a "matter of great personal regret". The PM stressed that she only wants a short delay, not a long extension to Brexit - but any delay needs the EU's permission. The paper adds that Mrs May had earlier hinted to MPs that she would quit if she was forced to delay Brexit for a long period.
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"We're on no-deal knife edge" declares the Daily Mail, in its front page headline. The paper calls the PM's speech "dramatic" and looks ahead to what might now happen with Brexit, saying the UK is now just eight days from a no-deal departure, which is the default position for the UK if nothing else changes. The Mail says Mrs May hinted she would rather have a no-deal Brexit than a long delay.
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Meanwhile, the Financial Times leads on Mrs May's talks with opposition parties, saying she pleaded with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to support her Brexit deal. But the paper reports that witnesses say he walked out of talks. The FT says the EU has issued an "ultimatum", saying it would only agree to postpone Brexit if the PM's deal is passed. Among the countries who have raised concerns about an extension is France, who only wants a delay of a few weeks, the FT said.
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The Daily Telegraph focuses on the reaction from Eurosceptics. Ex-Conservative leader and Brexiteer Iain Duncan Smith said the choice for MPs next week was simple: leave either with the PM's deal or no deal. "Why are we on a bended knee to the EU begging for things we don't need?" he said, adding the risk is a "national humiliation". The paper says cabinet ministers believe Mrs May's deal is likely to be rejected again.
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The phrase "national humiliation" also features on the front page of the Metro - but for different reasons. It cites a poll from Sky Data which suggests nine out of 10 Britons believe the UK's handling of Brexit has been a "national humiliation". Only 7% of people polled said it has not been "embarrassing", the paper adds.
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Meanwhile, the Daily Star focuses on lucky factory worker Ade Goodchild, who has won £71m in the EuroMillions lottery. What did he say that he will do with the cash? Travelling the world watching major sports events, the Star reports. He said he celebrated his win with a takeaway pizza while watching rugby on TV with his parents.