The home secretary’s “sweeping changes” to asylum laws dominate the papers again, with the Metro declaring it the beginning of “another rebellion” within the Labour party. The paper reports that Shabana Mahmood was “instantly accused of cruelty” by members of her own party, even before revealing further details of the plans.
The “Labour revolt” also leads the Guardian, which says that there are around 20 Labour politicians who are publicly “expressing concern”. It notes that the “radical measures” could include the possibility of confiscating assets from refugees to contribute to asylum costs. The government’s “long-awaited crackdown” on reselling event tickets for profit also makes the paper’s front page.
The Independent quotes Labour MP Nadia Whittome in their headline, who calls the crackdown on migrants “dystopian”. The paper says that among Mahmood’s critics is former immigration lawyer and MP for Folkestone and Hythe Tony Vaughan, who calls the move a “wrong turning” for his party.
Both the Tories and Reform UK have openly welcomed Mahmood’s proposal, according to the i Paper, which says both parties will support the policy in parliament. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has said the home secretary brings a “fresh energy” to the Commons, in a rare compliment to her “political rival”, the paper reports.
The Express reports that Badenoch is urging Mahmood to work alongside her “in the national interest” to get her asylum proposals over the line. The Conservative leader has warned that without her support, the plans to overhaul human rights laws are “doomed to fail” because they will be blocked by judges.
The Times details some of the specifics of the “33-page policy document” in their lead. It reports that some of the reforms will be implemented through “tweaks” to immigration rules, while others will require primary legislation. Actresses Dakota Johnson, Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Stone are also pictured on the front page of the paper, following their attendance at the prestigious Governors Awards in Los Angeles on Monday evening.
“Mahmood turns air blue in blast at liberals” is the headline for the Telegraph, after the home secretary was accused of “stoking divison” by a Liberal Democrat spokesperson in the Commons on Monday. Mahmood responded with a “passionate defence” of her proposed asylum reforms, and pointed to the racial abuse that she says is “regularly” levelled at her, according to the paper.
The Daily Mail also hones in on Mahmood’s revelation on their front page, and writes that the home secretary “shocked the House of Commons” with the use of a racial slur she says is used against her. Mahmood said the abuse and demands for her to “go back home” are evidence of how the asylum crisis has divided the UK.
“It just doesn’t add up” declares the Sun’s front page, in a nod to its earlier investigation into “removal centre perks” for illegal migrants awaiting deportation.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has told the Daily Mirror that he will lead the Labour party into the next election, amid what the paper has called “torrid speculation and threats to his position”. It reports that Sir Keir has pledged to “remain focused on what matters, which is bearing down on the cost of living”, and notes breakfast clubs and a prescription freeze among his promises ahead of the upcoming Budget.
The “crackdown on industrial-scale touts” leads the Financial Times, which reports that scalping costs concertgoers £145m a year in elevated prices. According to the paper, consultation over ticket resales began last January following an outcry over inflated ticket prices for the Oasis reunion tour.
The hike of a controversial horse racing betting tax that many expected to be included in the Budget later this month has been scrapped, the Daily Star reports.
