There’s one big story making the majority of Scotland’s front pages and that is the “coronation” of Rishi Sunak as the latest leader of the Conservative party. “Unite or die” was the warning in his brief speech on Monday, which gives many of the papers their headlines. The Herald is one, reporting the new PM’s words to his party which was told the UK faces “profound challenges”.
Same headline, bigger font in the i newspaper as it also reports what the Tory party was told by its new leader. Mr Sunak said it faced an “existential threat” after months of infighting. The paper also points out that it is just seven weeks since he lost the previous leadership race to Liz Truss.
The Daily Telegraph pictures the new PM, who will meet King Charles to later on Tuesday to confirm his appointment, surrounded by supporters at Tory HQ after he was announced as the only candidate to amass 100 backers. The broadsheet says Mr Sunak aims to bring the warring factions of his party together for “one shot” at ending the country’s economic crisis.
The Scotsman shows a beaming Mr Sunak and reports more of his brief speech. He pledged to lead the UK with “integrity and humility”, the paper says. It also highlights that the MP makes history as the first British Asian prime minister, and the youngest in 200 years at 42.
Which of Mr Sunak’s key allies could bag cabinet positions, muses The Times, hinting at the potential return of former deputy prime minister Dominic Raab, and former Tory chairman Oliver Dowden. Mr Sunak meets the King on Tuesday morning, and Cabinet roles are expected to be announced when the PM gets down to business soon after.
Rishi Sunak is awarded the entire front page of the Scottish Daily Express, with backgrounders on his life and hopes for his leadership, but the main story says he will enter Number 10 with a vow to bring “stability and unity” to the nation.
A clean, simple full-page photo is the choice of The Scottish Daily Mail, which calls Mr Sunak’s premiership “a new dawn for Britain”. The paper says he is determined to avoid the same errors made by his predecessor, and describes his journey to Downing Street as both “remarkable” and “inspirational”.
It’s finally “Rishi hour” says the Metro. The paper dedicates its whole front page to a photo of Mr Sunak and highlights his achievement of becoming the country’s first British Asian leader. It pulls out a quote where he said it was the greatest privilege of his life to be able to “give back to the country I owe so much to”.
A more critical story in the Daily Record, which slams the appointment as the “death of democracy”. It points out that his own party rejected Mr Sunak a matter of weeks ago and that he became prime minister without a vote. It claims the “fed-up public” will have no say on the “super-rich” leader or his policies.
It’s time to “let the people have their say”, says The National. The paper criticises the appointment of another unelected Tory prime minister after Mr Sunak was the only candidate to meet the bar of support from 100 MPs. The front page pictures the new PM “facing off” against First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. The Scottish leader congratulated the new PM after he won the latest Tory leadership and challenged him to call a general election, the paper says.
“Now give us a say” writes the Edinburgh Evening News in a similar vein. It reports on a poll which suggested two thirds of the public would like to see a general election before Christmas.
“He can’t be any worse than the last two”, The Scottish Sun says, adding cheekily “please let that be true”. The lead story says Mr Sunak will become the UK’s third prime minister in seven weeks without a single vote being cast.
The Daily Star of Scotland pictures Mr Sunak as October’s sparkle-smiled entry in a mocked-up “Prime ministers of 2022” calendar. The paper asks whether the former chancellor will last until the end of the month in his new role.
The Tory leadership winner makes the front of the P&J which reports the reaction of Hindu leaders to his appointment. The paper says it was described as “our Barack Obama moment”. The main story reports on the traumatic effects of a recent multiple shooting on the residents of Skye. The incident was explored by the Scottish Affairs Committee on Monday.
The Courier leads with a fatal crash on the A9 in Perthshire. A woman in her 80s died following the smash at Blackford on Sunday. Mr Sunak makes it into a picture caption on the front page.
A nurse describes “seven months of hell” as she battled an illness that made her feel like her brain was “on fire”. She describes suffering seizures and hallucinations.
The Evening Express leads with a court story which detailed a catalogue of abuse and saw an abuser labelled a “serious danger to women”.
And the Glasgow Times reveals what it costs to put up Christmas trees in local areas. The paper looks at look at the 23 council wards and what they are spending money on this year. It explains that each ward is given a budget of £3,600 from the council and has to approve any additional spending from their own local budget.
