Newspaper headlines: May and Corbyn's Brexit meeting on front pages By BBC News

Staff Published duration 4 April 2019

A day after Jeremy Corbyn met Theresa May for talks over Brexit, several papers picture the Labour leader giving the thumbs-up on their front pages.

"Corbyn in the Brexit driving seat," is the Daily Telegraph's headline, though it adds: "To the fury of Tory backbenchers..."

The Metro front page suggests "it's good to talk", but other papers aren't so sure.

According to the Times, there's growing scepticism that the PM and the Labour leader can find a way through Brexit.

It says sources on both sides are downbeat about the chances of success.

The Sun says the two leaders remain far apart, while, in the view of the Financial Times, any chance of an agreement is slim.

Labour's leader has long sought to distance himself from a "Tory Brexit", the paper says, and has little incentive to midwife one now.

For the Daily Express, Mr Corbyn is expected to revel in his opportunity to lecture the PM about his vision of a socialist Europe.

image copyright PA

The Telegraph says Attorney General Geoffrey Cox has set alarm bells ringing among Tory Eurosceptics by saying in a BBC interview that "a customs union is not some kind of sell-out".

MPs at a meeting of backbenchers were so angry about this that they discussed holding an "indicative vote" on whether to tell Mrs May to resign, the paper reports.

The Times says Brexiteers in the cabinet are understood to be waiting until Mrs May makes firm decisions on whether to endorse a softer Brexit before they decide their futures.

"It is fair to question whether such dialogue can be fruitful, or is undertaken in sincerity by either side," its editorial argues.

"But many Tory MPs have condemned Mrs May for the mere fact of engaging with the Labour leader on the grounds that doing so bolsters his authority in the public eye."

The Guardian also suggests there's a connection between what it calls the temperature of Westminster politics and the video showing British soldiers in Afghanistan using a picture of Jeremy Corbyn's face for target practice.

For too long, the paper says, there has been too much use of violent rhetoric and gruesome imagery; too much talk of betrayal, sabotage, treason, back-stabbing and blowing things up.

The Daily Mail says the episode has tarnished the Army's hard-won reputation.

In these febrile times, the paper adds, when politicians receive death threats, utmost care mist be taken not to legitimise the warped worldview of those who might resort to violence.

Addictive...

image copyright AFP

A warning by the Duke of Sussex that social media has become "even more addictive than alcohol or drugs" is widely reported, and makes the lead for the Daily Mirror

The paper's leader writer echoes Prince Harry, saying a lack of regulation has created a Wild West on the internet where companies allow teenagers to view images of self-harm and young people get addicted to games.

Meanwhile, the Express reports that the Duke used his new Instagram account to share an "ADORABLE baby snap" from the West London YMCA centre where he made the comments.

It comes after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's account racked up one million followers in the record time of just five hours and 45 minutes.

"Followers were keen to share their support for Harry, 34, and Meghan, 37, who are expecting their first child this month and are expected to share the first picture of their little one online," the Mail reports

Parklife

Finally, the Times reports that researchers have suggested a lunchtime stroll through the park is one of the most effective stress-busting treatments that a doctor can prescribe.

The paper says getting close to nature has long been recognised as restorative, but scientists claim to have worked out the optimum daily dose.

Spending 20 to 30 minutes in surroundings that made a person feel connected to nature was found to lower stress hormones by about 10% - enough to improve their feeling of wellbeing.