The Sun newspaper backs Labour Party: How UK media braces for likely change of government

In the weeks leading up to Britain’s election, Rishi Sunak has insisted that the polls showing that the Labour Party is set to wipe out his ruling conservatives are wrong.

Now, people across the United Kingdom have begun casting their ballots in the snap general election called by Sunak.

But it seems that the UK media isn’t waiting for the results.

The Sun newspaper has, in a surprising move given the years of attacks on the Keir Starmer-led party, thrown its support behind Labour.

But how are the UK newspapers preparing for the imminent change of government?

Let’s take a closer look:

For Labour Party

The Sun

The Sun is one of Britain’s bestselling newspapers and boasts a record of backing winners in elections.

The tabloid, part of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp famously crowed “It was the Sun wot won it” in 1992, claiming its support had swayed 10 million readers to back John Major’s Conservatives to an unexpected election victory.

It switched its support to Labour before Blair led the party to the first of three successive election victories in 1997.

In 2009, The Sun turned away from the Labour Party after more than a decade of support and said it would support David Cameron’s Conservatives under the headline: “Labour’s Lost It”.

Labour lost the 2010 general election.

The newspaper has been supporting the Conservatives ever since.

The Sun newspaper in an editorial declared “it is time for a change.”

Though the newspaper said it backed many of Sunak’s policies including his Rwanda plans it said the Conservative Party have become a “divided rabble more interested in fighting themselves than running the country.”

It noted how Sunak was Britain’s fifth prime minister in 12 years with four Home Secretaries, four Chancellors, and five Education Secretaries in 2022 alone.

“Put bluntly, the Tories are exhausted. They need a period in Opposition to unite around a common set of principles which can finally bring to an end all the years of internal warfare,” the newspaper noted. “It is time for a change.”

The newspaper called the Nigel Farage-led Reform a ‘one-man’ band and declared the Liberal Democrats to be ‘a joke.’

The editorial said this means it is time to elect Labour.

“Sir Keir has been solid in his support of Ukraine and also Israel - despite coming under significant pressure from Left-wing Labour MPs who were quick to forget the October 7 atrocity inflicted by terrorist organisation Hamas… Labour is strong in its support for the Union and strengthening the ties that bind together our United Kingdom,” the piece stated.

The editorial noted that Labour ‘does not have a clear plan for getting a grip on immigration, legal or illegal’ and that taxes would increase.

“Sir Keir, an ex-Remainer, now talks of wanting closer ties with Brussels - which could mean sacrificing some of our newly-won Brexit freedoms. He has a mountain to climb, with a disillusioned electorate and low approval ratings,” the piece noted.

The Sun editorial added that Keir has earned the right to take charge by bringing the Labour Party back to the center.

“We will hold Labour to account, without fear or favour. But we wish them every success,” the piece concluded.

The Times

The Times newspaper in an editorial entitled Leap in the Dark wrote, “As Labour heads towards a victory that may eclipse even Tony Blair’s landslide of 1997, inflicting upon the Tories a defeat of unprecedented scale, Sir Keir’s rare display of hubris in what has been for him a campaign marked by extreme — sometimes crippling — caution appears justified.”

However, the newspaper added that Labour “has been sparing with the truth about what it will do in office and cannot expect an endorsement.”

The newspaper added that Labour is “yet to earn the trust of the British people.”

“Sir Keir may have secured a huge majority by Friday. The day after he must begin the process of earning it.”

The Financial Times

The Financial Times in an editorial accused the Tories of “squandering its reputation as the party of business and said Sir Keir Starmer is better placed to provide the leadership the country needs.”

The newspaper in an editorial said voters seem to have made up their mind after nearly a decade and a half and five prime ministers that it is time for a change.

It noted that Rishi Sunak has done some good things during his tenure and that Jeremy Hunt is a ‘serious chancellor.’

“But the prime minister does not, even now, appear master of a party mired in bickering and sleaze. All too often since 2010, the Conservative party has prioritised management of its fractious party politics over sound governing of Britain.”

The newspaper added that it has no fixed party political allegiance and that it believes in liberal democracy, free trade and private enterprise, and an open, outward-looking Britain – which often lines up with the Conservatives.

“The party needs a spell in opposition to resolve its internal differences. We would not, though, wish to see the Conservatives so shattered that they are unable to fulfil the role of viable opposition that is vital to British politics,” it noted.

“The Labour party of Sir Keir Starmer is better placed today to provide the leadership the country needs. Five years ago, under the hard-left Jeremy Corbyn, the idea would have seemed fanciful. Starmer has transformed what was a shambolic group hankering after the failed interventionism of the 1970s back into a credible party of government. Both the Conservatives and Labour, infected by different strains of populism, deserted the centre ground in 2019. It is Labour that has swung back towards it,” the piece argued.

Sunday Times

The Sunday Times in an editorial argued that the Tories have ‘forfeited the right to govern.’

The newspaper, which endorsed the Conservatives in every election since 2005, was the first Murdoch-run sheet to switch its endorsement.

The newspaper said that though neither Sir Keir Starmer nor Rishi Sunak have engaged meaningfully with the public during this campaign, the poll feels like a landmark.

“Rishi Sunak has cut an embattled — almost cursed — figure, his Conservative Party lurching through a string of self-inflicted mishaps, culminating in the betting scandal. Sir Keir Starmer and Labour have avoided meaningful debate for fear of disturbing their double-digit poll lead,” the piece said.

It added that though television debates and interviews have occurred “both parties have run a hermetically sealed campaign punctuated by staged photo opportunities.”

The newspaper added that this is “the right time for Labour to be entrusted with restoring competence to government.”

“We cannot go on as we are, and we believe it is now the right time for Labour to be entrusted with restoring competence to government. “Britain needs to do better as a place to live, work and do business,” it concluded.

The Guardian

The Guardian in an op-ed said a Labour win would be a ‘reason for hope.’

“The Tories don’t deserve to win. After 14 years in power, they are a shambles. The original sin was austerity. But the precipitating crisis of this government was when voters were told that leaving the EU with the thinnest of deals would be good for them,” the piece began.

It stated that the nation was tired of the daily drama and completely disconnected from Westminster.

It too noted how Britain had five prime ministers in eight years.

“The Conservatives can blame no one but themselves for their handling of the pandemic: incompetence, rule-breaking and cronyism bred political distrust and a shift towards populist right-wing politics,” the piece stated.

It added that though a Labour win suggests a watershed moment, the party manifesto shows no such change is imminent.

“Labour’s vision is calming rather than exciting. Sir Keir may not be inspiring, but he does inspire confidence. He offers compassion, where a lack of it has become a matter of principle for the Tories,” the op-ed stated.

The newspaper noted that power must be given to those ready to mould Britain into the country that we want to see.

“That is why the Guardian would vote, with hope and enthusiasm, for Labour to lead Britain to a better future,” the op-ed concluded.

Observer

The Observer in an editorial stated that “only a Labour government can begin to deliver the real change that Britain so desperately needs.”

“…a Labour administration characterised by integrity and a respect for public office, an understanding of ordinary people’s lives, and an honest desire to make Britain a fairer and greener place. Such simple ingredients, but ones that have been missing in action for the past 14 years, to the detriment of us all,” it stated.

The newspaper claimed that every Tory prime minister since 2010 made the situation in Britain ‘immeasurably worse.’

“If Labour wins, its task will be far from easy. There is much that will make governing Britain in the second half of the 2020s a more difficult prospect than the last time the party conclusively defeated a Conservative government in 1997,” the piece noted.

The Observer piece added that the Labour campaign has not been upbeat because of the challenge facing the next government.

“But know this when you cast your vote on Thursday: there remain tough times ahead, but only a Labour government can begin to deliver the real change that Britain so desperately needs,” the editorial stated.

Independent
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The Independent_ in an op-ed declared that “s a sense of betrayal that is driving the national mood for change.”

“It is not quite an iron rule, but political parties that have been in power for a prolonged period eventually run out of ideas, talent and energy – and can collapse into a spiral of corruption. The latest election betting scandal is embarrassing and damaging to the Conservative campaign because, although novel, it is entirely consistent behaviour from a government that brought us Partygate, among many other severe lapses in the standards we expect in public life,” the piece began.

The article noted that the entire UK seems to want to “get the Tories out” including areas in the South scarcely breached by Labour.

The op-ed chalked up Labour’s comeback to not just disillusionment with Tory rule, but to  a ‘remarkable act of statesmanship’ by Sir Keir Starmer in creating an alternative party of government.

“Sir Keir has been wise to steal the Tories’ old clothes and present Labour as the party of economic growth and wealth creation,” the piece argued.

“There is no doubt that Sir Keir is going to inherit a broken country in many ways, but – as he has told The Independent – the first step to solving its problems is pragmatic solutions.”

This newspaper said though it is reluctant of endorsing a particular party, these are extraordinary times.

“Trust in politicians has been damaged by the Conservatives to a devastating degree. Only by removing the party from power can that trust have any chance of being rebuilt. That is why this newspaper is prepared to give the benefit of the doubt to Sir Keir’s party….”

It, however, added a caveat – that Labour must turn its promises into policies that benefit the hardworking and hopeful people of the UK.

Sunday Mirror

The Sunday Mirror urged its readers to ‘vote for change, vote for Labour.’

“You have the chance to vote for hope. You have the chance to vote for a better future. Only Labour is offering the country a way forward. Only Labour can fix our public services, usher in a new age of prosperity and restore this nation’s pride,” it began.

It said the country cannot bear another five years of Tory rule and that such a reign would lead to only more “ruination, scandal, division and poverty on the United Kingdom.”

The newspaper said the Conservative Party that has broken Britain. It accused the Tories of overseeing the steepest fall in living standards and the highest rise in taxes since World War II.

“The seriousness, dedication and purpose of Keir Starmer ’s Labour has never been more needed. This is a very different Labour party to the one which contested the last three elections. It is in tune with a country which is crying out for change. In place of the shambolic rule of the last 14 years, Labour promises to restore professionalism and stability to government,” the newspaper stated.

For Tories

Daily Express

The Daily Express warned its readers to “vote Tory or hand Labour unchecked power.”

It said that though many traditional Tory voters would be attracted by reform, it called for ‘calm heads and backing for proper conservatism.’

“But to get to a position where that person has an effective power base to stand up to Labour there must be a groundswell of loyal support behind the Tories today. It really is not a day to stay at home in protest but to back the cause of conservatism in the debate for Britain’s future. It could mean the difference between five years of Labour Government or 10,” the newspaper argued.

The newspaper said that the public should not treat the poll as akin to anger management or trauma therapy. It also argued that it isn’t merely a referendum on the record of the government.

“At heart, it is the people’s verdict on who should rule us in the immediate future. On that basis, for all their recent failings, the Conservatives are still far better equipped for office than Labour,” it said.

The Daily Telegraph

The Daily Telegraph told its readers they face a binary choice between Sunak and Starmer.

“Our view is that the Conservatives are by far the better option for Britain,” the op-ed stated.

“The unarguable truth facing voters is that they face a straight choice between Sir Keir and Mr Sunak. It is similarly unarguable that a Labour government might well bring change, but it will not be of the good kind. Labour would tax more, regulate more, be weaker in defence of the national interest and be far more relaxed about mass migration and the excesses of green ideologues,” it noted.

The newspaper said that though the Conservatives cannot claim to have a great record, they must band together behind Sunak and tell voters things would be far worse under Starmer.

Daily Mail

The Daily Mail too argued to its voters that they face a simple choice between Sunak and Starmer.

“Let’s face facts. No other party can hope to govern, or indeed have the slightest impact on the nation’s fortunes over the next parliament. This is a two-horse race. So, voters must decide not only who they want to see in power but also who they don’t. Disillusioned Tories may wish to punish their party for its manifest failings of recent years.  In doing, so, however, they must be careful not to punish themselves by ushering in something far worse,” the piece warned.

The article urged tactical voting to stop Labour from getting a supermajority.

“The Mail believes that would be a disaster for the political, cultural and economic life of this country. With no effective opposition, it would give unbridled power to a Labour party which seeks to change Britain immeasurably for the worse,” the op-ed argued.

Mail on Sunday

The Mail on Sunday  wrote: “It is not all over yet. Vote Conservative on Thursday and we may yet escape a long and punishing season of hard Labour.”

“For all their faults, the Tories are what stand between us and Sir Keir’s leaden wokery, his green zealotry, his instinctive desire to tax savers, his feeble opaqueness on mass immigration, his embedded sympathy for the Remainer cause, and his party which, for all its makeovers and tweakments, remains what it has always been, a machine for spending other people’s money until it runs out.”

Sunday Telegraph

The Sunday Telegraph’s piece was entitled ‘Vote Tory to save Britain from Labour.’

It said “an administration led by Sir Keir would be dramatically worse than one led by Rishi Sunak”.

“Despite the unedifying nature of the campaign, this could come to be seen as one of the most consequential general elections in decades. It would be a disaster for Britain if Labour were to be given unparalleled power to refashion the country in its spiteful, intolerant, ‘progressive’ image.”

 Sunday Express

The Sunday Express too warned voters that they are not just deciding if Britain needs change, but also whether Sir Keir is allowed to deliver that change.

“If you have any doubt he is the right person, the only sensible option is to vote Conservative.”

How newspapers they changed their tune

According to iNews, right-leaning papers initially published positive stories about the Conservatives.

They then began running negative articles on Labour around halfway through the campaign.

Meanwhile, left-leaning papers consistently ran with negative stories about the Tories.

They then spent the past few days pushing positive pieces about Labour.

“A lot of the coverage focused on the two main parties has been negative rather than positive. Many papers were consistently negative – like The Mirror, The Guardian and The Independent, while others, such as the Express, Telegraph, Mail and Times have become more negative as the campaign has gone on. That trend changed as polling day drew near, with many left-wing papers switching to stories positive for Labour,” the piece noted.

With inputs from agencies