The prime minister’s invitation to the leader of the opposition to discuss Brexit has sent the front pages into a frenzy

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Theresa May’s decision to meet with Jeremy Corbyn to talk about a way forward on Brexit is unsurprisingly the splash on many of the papers today.

The Metro takes the pun cake, with “It’s Jezz the two of us”, saying that May’s calls for a deal with Corbyn was a “Brexit sensation”.

The paper reports that May “could accept super-soft EU deal” and as a result had been “branded ‘Marxist collaborator’”, which seems a little extreme.

Metro Newspaper UK (@MetroUKNews) Wednesday's front page:

IT'S JEZZ

THE TWO

OF US#tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers #skypapers pic.twitter.com/B8jV6w89Gi

The Daily Telegraph features pictures of the 14 cabinet ministers it claims have back a no-deal Brexit, compared with 10 who support May’s deal, saying that May is going against the will of her party.

“Cabinet backs no-deal Brexit – but May turns to Corbyn instead,” is its headline.

The Telegraph (@Telegraph) The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph 'Cabinet backs no-deal Brexit - but May turns to Corbyn instead' #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/7Qy6Ql4SrG

The pro-Labour Mirror also calls move a “Brexit sensation” over its splash “Help me, Jeremy”. The paper does not cut the PM much slack, repeatedly calling her “desperate” and saying she “begged” Corbyn for assistance passing her deal.

Daily Mirror (@DailyMirror) Tomorrow's front page: Help me, Jeremy#tomorrowspaperstoday https://t.co/RNHicEDm86 pic.twitter.com/2j8BmPOI6t

The Express frames May’s invitation to Corbyn as a move of strength, saying May “throws down gauntlet” to the Labour leader: “It’s time for national unity … over to you Mr Corbyn”.

Daily Express (@Daily_Express) Here is tomorrow's @Daily_Express front page:



- It's time for national unity... over to you Mr. @jeremycorbyn

- Pension trap: 50,000 paying too much tax

- @lorraine Kelly: My secrets to keeping young and fit as I turn 60#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/Cgx4qSZMbX

The Sun is unimpressed, saying that “after seven hours of cabinet lockdown May’s gone soft over Brexit mess”, asking May “Is that your bright idea?”

Kate Lyons (@MsKateLyons) Sun front page. Wednesday April 3rd. pic.twitter.com/gNhwAzaSEk

The Daily Mail calls May’s statement yesterday after the “marathon cabinet meeting”: “Theresa’s last stand”. The Mail says “May delays Brexit AGAIN and kills off No Deal”, meaning “Britain was heading for a soft Brexit”. The paper says May’s compromise has “enraged” Tory colleagues and reports senior figures warning that the party could be on the “verge of a split that could bring down the government”.

Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) MAIL: Theresa’s last stand #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/VEx4cFFNMV

The Times cites a No 10 aide who says May is willing to agree to a form of customs union and close single market alignment in order to get her Brexit deal through. The move “will prompt fresh hostility from the Tory party and last night her overture was condemned as a capitulation by leading Brexiteers”. The paper quotes Boris Johnson, who is unhappy with the PM’s move, and an unnamed MP, who said he was “shell-shocked”.

The Guardian quotes Labour sources who say that while Corbyn has said he was “very happy” to meet with May, the two leaders will struggle to find an agreement in the short time period. “A deal with Corbyn would have to be hammered out this weekend,” says the paper. The Guardian also features a front page story on research that has shown that 64% of people Brexit uncertainty is bad for people’s mental health.

Guardian news (@guardiannews) Guardian front page, Wednesday 3 April 2019: May calls for talks with Corbyn in bid to save Brexit pic.twitter.com/HHcaB0z4bP

The FT focuses on the ruptures in the Tory party over the offer to work with Corbyn: “May inflames Tory civil war by opening door to softer Brexit”. The paper also quotes an insider who says that Philip Hammond was “shot down” after he suggested a second referendum during Tuesday’s cabinet meeting.

Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) FT: May inflames Tory civil war by opening door to softer Brexit #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/wTOUrW14Tx

The i says May’s decision to “call in Corbyn to break impasse” paves the way for a soft Brexit and has “dismayed Brexit” but that a snap general election has been ruled out.