Most of the newspapers’ headlines focus on elements of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s speech at the Labour conference in Liverpool. The Mirror leads with Sir Keir’s criticism of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, arguing that “he doesn’t believe in Britain”. The paper reports the prime minister used his speech to urge “voters to turn their back on Reform UK’s rhetoric of division and decline”. In a separate story, the Prince of Wales says “I miss Granny”, referring to comments he made in a podcast interview. It appears alongside a photo of a younger Prince William with his grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The Daily Telegraph also leads with Sir Keir’s remarks in his conference speech, highlighting his references to patriotism. The prime minister told the crowd he would “never surrender” the flag in “an appeal to working-class voters to turn away from Reform”. This follows protests over the summer, which the paper says featured “Union flags and St George’s crosses in large numbers”.
“Desperate Starmer accuses Nigel Farage of not liking Britain” leads the Daily Mail. The paper refers to criticisms made about Reform UK’s leader at the Labour conference, saying the “prime minister triggered a bitter war of words” with Farage. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy “claims Reform leader ‘flirted with Hitler Youth’, before being forced to apologise” also features in the headline. Meanwhile, Farage accuses the prime minister of “inciting the radical Left”.
The prime minister’s criticisms of Farage also lead the Metro newspaper. It reports Sir Keir called Farage a “snake oil merchant” adding “he doesn’t even like Britain”. The story also refers to Sir Keir’s calls for “his own MPs to back his ‘fight against the path of decline’, amid “talk of a leadership challenge” against the prime minister.
The Times also leads with Sir Keir’s conference speech, which it says “sought to unite the Labour Party against a common enemy and end questions over his leadership”. It reports the prime minister drew “clear dividing lives with Farage”, who responded in a livestream shortly after Sir Keir’s speech. Farage described the prime minister’s comments as an “absolute disgrace”, according to the Times.
Labour could lift the two-child benefit cap in the November Budget, the i Paper reports. It says the prime minister and chancellor are “ready to end controversial Tory welfare policy”, although the paper notes that neither expressly announced a removal of the cap in their conference speeches. The paper reports the cap “may be completely lifted, limited to working parents, or replaced with a three-child limit”.
The Guardian also says the “two-child benefit cap” is “to be lifted in autumn budget”. The prime minister “drew the battle lines for the next general election” between “Labour and the populist right”, the paper says. Sir Keir’s speech “signalled a notable change in voice for Starmer”, the paper reports, as he “will now turn to the difficult economic choices ahead in the autumn budget”.
The prime minister’s efforts to “launch a ‘patriotic’ fight against Nigel Farage’s Reform UK” also lead the Financial Times. The paper describes it as a “crucial speech” targeting the party’s “working-class base”. It reports Sir Keir’s central messages included “promising to cut immigration, feting industry and branding Labour ‘the patriotic party'”. The Financial Times also highlights that Sir Keir made multiple references to the national flag during his address while supporters waved their mini-flags in the crowd.
The prime minister “hit out” at his political opponents in his Labour conference speech, the Daily Star says. It highlights remarks made by Sir Keir that “we can all see these snake oil merchants, on the right, on the left”. It suggests the comments referred to both Farage and the Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch’s interview with the Daily Express dominates the paper’s front page. Badenoch said she was the only politician with the “backbone” to take the “toughest” decisions Britain needed. The paper features her criticisms of both the Labour government and Reform UK. She told the paper Labour would leave an “almighty mess” while Reform would “blow up the economy”.
News of actress Nicole Kidman and country singer Keith Urban’s divorce leads the front page of the Sun newspaper. It explains the pair “lived ‘separate lives’ for three years before she filed for divorce last night”. Quoting people close to the pair, the paper details issues that “proved too much to bear for Keith and Nicole”.
![The headline on the front page of the Sun reads: "Nicole files for divorce after '3 yrs [years] apart'". It appears alongside a photo of actress Nicole Kidman and artist Keith Urban.](https://ichef.i.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/76ad/live/611c67c0-9e4c-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp)
