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Boris Johnson’s grim televised speech exposing months of coronavirus restrictions dominates Wednesday front pages, with plenty of quotes and varying degrees of optimism.
The Daily Mail reflects the full force of the prime minister’s speech: “Boris gives Britain both barrels.” It focuses on his criticism of those who break the rules and the main image refers to his mention of using the army to support the police.
The Guardian raises the possibility of a second lockdown if the new restrictions are not followed. He notes that Johnson suggests that “freedom-loving” Britons will be to blame if more draconian restrictions are applied.
The Mirror paints the crisis in terms of a gamble by the prime minister, with the headline: “Boris in the hall of last chance.” He reports that he relies on pubs closing early to avoid a second big closing.
Metro goes with a touch of humor, opting for a simple “6-Month Rule” and reminding readers that it is shaping up to be a bleak Christmas.
The Times chooses a quote from Johnson’s Churchillian speech on perhaps the most optimistic front page. “A fight that humanity will win,” he quotes him as saying, noting the prime minister’s u-turn for workers to return to office.
The Telegraph also bets on seriousness and chooses a quote that warns that the fight against Covid is not over yet. It also notes that the prime minister noted the possible use of the army and the prospect of restrictions until March next year.
The FT says that “Johnson warns of ‘dangerous’ times such as restrictions imposed for 6 months”, focusing on business reaction and choosing a secondary image of Johnson in the Commons.
The Daily Express goes with what could be construed as a mild rebuke from the prime minister to the nation during his “heartfelt” television appeal. Reports: “The country needs to summon ‘discipline, determination and spirit of unity’ to save lives this winter. “Our destiny is in our own hands,” is the headline. Pick an image of Johnson with not one but both fists clenched.
The i includes all the grandeur of the backdrop to Johnson’s speech, but it jumps to the response to his words. The headline is: “PM said: new rules will not reduce infection rate.”
In Scotland, the Edinburgh Evening News simply says: “Closure” in response to Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s speech on restrictions, including a ban on home visits.
The Scotsman wears a large image of Sturgeon along with the latest tightening of restrictions. It also contains one of the most hopeful quotes from his speech: “Let’s keep going, let’s try to keep smiling, let’s keep waiting and caring for each other.”
Dundee’s Courier captures the mood for the months to come with a banner on the cover and the headline: “Scotland prepares for a long and lonely winter.”
