One story dominates the front pages of Wednesday’s newspapers as they concentrate on Rishi Sunak winning a vote in the House of Commons on his Rwanda deportation plan.
The Prime Minister emerged victorious despite the threat of opposition from Tory MPs, but many of the papers warn he faces more tough battles over the legislation.
The Daily Telegraph declares “Sunak faces down Rwanda rebels” and said he hugged the Chief Whip after no Conservatives voted against the Bill, the Financial Times saying he headed off a revolt after a “frenetic day of arm-twisting”.
The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph:
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) December 12, 2023
'Sunak faces down Rwanda rebels'#TomorrowsPapersToday
Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/x8AV4Oomry pic.twitter.com/673m43DvHU
Just published: front page of the Financial Times, UK edition, Wednesday 13 December https://t.co/lakja5qauV pic.twitter.com/O1FpColPUk
— Financial Times (@FT) December 12, 2023
But the victory comes with a warning of more battles ahead over the Rwanda plan, the Daily Mail, Daily Express and The Guardian all adding “for now” on the end of a headline about the outcome of the vote.
Wednesday’s @DailyMailUK #MailFrontPages pic.twitter.com/ZgCGBycwgs
— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) December 12, 2023
Tomorrow's front page: Tory rebels hand Rishi Sunak ultimatum after he narrowly avoids Rwanda Bill vote defeat #tomorrowspaperstoday https://t.co/OmiYg6hwlP pic.twitter.com/UGT1MneRQv
— Daily Express (@Daily_Express) December 12, 2023
Wednesday’s GUARDIAN: “Sunak avoids major rebellion over Rwanda deportation bill - for now” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/qTmUExXvOT
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) December 12, 2023
The Metro saves “for now” for its subhead as it says “Rishi saves his bacon” after launching a “charm offensive with rebels over bacon butties”.
Tomorrow's Paper Today
— Metro (@MetroUK) December 12, 2023
RISHI SAVES HIS BACON
Breakfast butties do trick as Rwanda flight rebels fail... for now #tomorrowspapertoday pic.twitter.com/AXTXZyG0MT
Elsewhere, the threat of what lies ahead takes centre stage with The Times declaring “it’s not over yet” with rebel MPs warning they could still defeat his plan, while The Independent says Mr Sunak “lives to lose another day”.
Wednesday’s TIMES: “Sunak survives Rwanda revolt but it’s not over yet” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/WyrU706yKk
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) December 12, 2023
The i says the Prime Minister survived a revolt, but faces a “new year showdown with Tory rebels” – a prospect the Daily Mirror describes as “The Nightmare After Christmas”.
Wednesday's front page: Sunak survives Rwanda revolt to set up new year showdown with Tory rebels#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/bMROH0SsuE
— i newspaper (@theipaper) December 12, 2023
Wednesday's front page: The nightmare after Christmas #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/6G7rHkP3ts
— The Mirror (@DailyMirror) December 12, 2023
Away from the events at Westminster, the Daily Star heralds the return of the combover.
Wednesday's front page - 'THEY THINK IT'S ALL COMBOVER!'https://t.co/c5uGywvLdq pic.twitter.com/CZuJyG1NxJ
— Daily Star (@dailystar) December 12, 2023