By-election fallout and Lionesses roaring to go

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ByBBC News
Staff

Many of Saturday's front pages focus on the fallout from the three by-elections held on Thursday - which saw the Conservatives lose two traditionally safe seats and cling on to another. The i says the defeats leave Prime Minister Rishi Sunak exposed - with some Tory sources now believing the party could lose up to 150 MPs in next year's general election.

Guardian 22/07/23
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The by-election results are a "cry for change" and underline the extent to which the national mood has turned against Mr Sunak's party, the Guardian reports. However, it adds the Conservatives' slim victory in Uxbridge and South Ruislip offers a glimmer of hope for the PM.

FT - 22/07/23
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The Financial Times says Mr Sunak has been urged by his MPs to seek a way back from "by-election carnage" by watering down the party's green pledges. It says the Tories were able to hold on to Uxbridge because voters there were strongly opposed to plans by London's Labour mayor to impose a charge on highly polluting vehicles.

Telegraph 22/07/2023
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The Daily Telegraph focuses on the Uxbridge result, saying ministers are now examining other green "wedge issues" to peel voters away from Labour. The Telegraph also joins several papers in featuring a picture of US singer Tony Bennet who died on Friday, aged 96.

Daily Express 22/07/23Image source, BBC
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"All isn't lost!" declares the Daily Express in the wake of the by-election results. It quotes the prime minister saying on Friday that the next election is "not a done deal".

Daily Mail 22/07/23
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But the Daily Mail carries a warning from Conservative grandees that Mr Sunak must "go true blue... or face wipeout". It also pictures a smiling Prince George who turns 10 on Saturday, adding "hasn't he grown".

Sun 22/07/23Image source, BBC
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Away from politics, the Sun turns to Britain's summer getaway which it says "ground to a halt" on Friday as holidaymakers were hit by delays via land, air and sea. And it warns of worse to come.

Mirror 22/07/23
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The Daily Mirror, meanwhile, says England's Lionesses are getting ready to bring football's World Cup home, starting with their match against Haiti on Saturday. Captain Millie Bright is pictured next to the headline: "Roar us on."

Daily Star 22/07/23Image source, BBC
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The Daily Star also features the Lionesses on its front page - along with a report about the US Pentagon's top UFO hunter and a giant picture of beloved alien ET.

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