Newspaper headlines: 'Army could help NHS' and 'Dems avoid huge defeat'
- Published
Members of the Royal College of Nursing have voted in favour of a nationwide strike for the first time ever
The news that nurses have voted in favour of a nationwide strike for the first time ever dominates the front pages.
The Times says, external the action - part of a row over pay and staffing levels - could begin "within weeks" and that the NHS faces disruption on a "historic scale". The paper claims that cancer treatment and children's care could be affected by walkouts and that the action could last until spring.
According to the Daily Telegraph, external, the action is expected to impact around half of all hospitals and could result in thousands of operations being cancelled. The paper says No 10 has hit out at what it calls an "unreasonable" demand for a 17.6% pay rise, adding that Labour has also declined to back the strikes.
The i says, external the government is on course for a "bitter confrontation" with nurses over what it says could be up to six months of disruption. It also reports that the military could be drafted in to help keep services running through the strikes. It adds that emergency services will remain staffed, and that cancer care is also likely to be protected.
The Daily Mirror takes, external a sympathetic view towards the planned mass walkout. It reports that nurses are being "forced to survive on patients' leftovers" and highlights the story of one nurse who says she cannot afford hospital food. "This is why they're striking," the paper says.
The Daily Star refers to the applause for the work of nurses and other frontline staff early in the pandemic, saying "hard-up hospital heroes" have decided that "a jolly good clap won't pay their bills during the cost of living crisis".
The Daily Mail reports, external that Home Secretary Suella Braverman has used a speech to senior police officers to tell them to "stop humouring" environmental activists. The paper says she blasted forces for "letting protests get out of control" after Just Stop Oil campaigners brought the M25 to a standstill for, in places, a third day in a row.
Joe Biden and the Democrats performed better than many had expected in the US midterms
The Daily Express leads, external with the same story. It says Ms Braverman accused officers of "losing confidence" in themselves and their authority and that she's ordered police to take a "firmer line" with protesters who block roads. The Metropolitan Police chief, Sir Mark Rowley, has denied they've been too soft, insisting that officers have turned up quickly and worked swiftly to remove protesters safely.
The Guardian leads, external with the US midterm elections, saying the Democrats "defied expectations" and that Joe Biden looks poised for the best mid-term performance by an incumbent president's party in 20 years.
The Financial Times says, external Americans have been unwilling to hand a strong political mandate to either the Democrats or Republicans. It adds, though, that the outcome will be a "comfort" to President Biden and has "dealt a blow" to Donald Trump's ambitions of re-election in 2024.
And finally, Matt Hancock is pictured in various papers - covered in muck - after his first Bushtucker trial on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! "Slime a Tory celeb," says the Daily Mirror, external. Both the Metro, external and the Sun, external brand the MP "Han-cockroach".