hello and welcome to our look at tomorrow's papers. we have susi and rosamund. let's start with the guardian, which says borisjohnson is catching up with favourite rishi sunak in the race to become prime minister.

tory tribes go to war. the mail speculates that they could put their differences aside and join forces to govern together, in a bid to unite the conservative party. but the former tory leader william hague says it would be fatal for borisjohnson to return to downing street, saying it's the "worst idea in 46 years". that makes the front page of the times. and his return concerns the mirror as well, which says "not again" to borisjohnson, citing dismay among bereaved families of the coronavirus pandemic. we understand he's on his way home from the caribbean. and it's alarming some investors too. according to the financial times, the head of currency strategy at rabobank says it "would not be welcomed by the markets". the sun also leads with the potential comeback of borisjohnson, with the former prime minister saying he is "up for it".

lettuce on the front of the star. and cristiano ronaldo makes tomorrow's back pages, as man united manager erik ten haag demands that he apologises for storming off at the end of their clash with tottenham on wednesday. let's talk in more detail. starting with the guardian. tory tribes go to war, that reminds me of the frankie goes to hollywood song. the three most prominent contenders, penny mordaunt, rishi sunak and boris johnson. we understand borisjohnson is currently flying back from the dominican republic. what is your assessment of where we are, who do you think is going to win? well, i think it's going —

think it's going to come down to rishi sunak and borisjohnson. a rather amusing plug in the bottom right—hand corner on the guardian's front page, beware, why getting back with an ex rarely works, a reference to boris johnson's with an ex rarely works, a reference to borisjohnson�*s possible return. a photo of him getting on the plane coming back from the dominican republic, where he has been on holiday. another holiday! anyway... the question is, can he get to 100 mps supporting him? rishi sunak is supposed to have already passed that. not unsurprising, obviously he has a lot of parliamentary support. a bit tougherfor has a lot of parliamentary support. a bit tougher for borisjohnson because he is very, very divisive, so there are those who think he still represents their best chance of the election when we get a general election. but at the same time, there are those who see him as pretty toxic, and obviously his personal polling used to be incredibly strong but has obviously

really, really taken incredibly strong but has obviously really, really ta ken a incredibly strong but has obviously really, really taken a nosedive over partygate. the guardian mentions that in the opening paragraph, pointing out there is still a parliamentary inquiry into that scandal coming up, and we could be in the bizarre situation of boris johnson coming back as prime minister, where he comes back, and then he gets suspended from the house of commons and possibly he has to go before christmas, which would be probably, given everything else, the madness of our politics at the moment, probably what's going to happen! it moment, probably what's going to ha en! , . , , moment, probably what's going to hauen! ,. , , ., moment, probably what's going to ha en! ,., , , ., ., happen! it is a numbers game at the moment, happen! it is a numbers game at the moment. you _ happen! it is a numbers game at the moment, you have _ happen! it is a numbers game at the moment, you have to _ happen! it is a numbers game at the moment, you have to get _ happen! it is a numbers game at the moment, you have to get 100 - happen! it is a numbers game at the moment, you have to get 100 mps l happen! it is a numbers game at the| moment, you have to get 100 mps to back you to be in this race. it looks like rishi sunak has got 100. tobias ellwood was saying he was rishi sunak�*s 100th tobias ellwood was saying he was rishi sunak�*s100th supporters. whether borisjohnson would get 100, we're not quite sure. i whether boris johnson would get 100, we're not quite sure.— we're not quite sure. i don't think boris johnson _ we're not quite sure. i don't think boris johnson has _ we're not quite sure. i don't think boris johnson has 100 _ we're not quite sure. i don't think boris johnson has 100 friends - we're not quite sure. i don't think boris johnson has 100 friends in l we're not quite sure. i don't think. boris johnson has 100 friends in the borisjohnson has 100 friends in the parliamentary party, simple as that.

he's never_ parliamentary party, simple as that. he's never been the kind of person for working — he's never been the kind of person for working the bars and the tea rooms. — for working the bars and the tea rooms, establishing friendships, he doesn'i_ rooms, establishing friendships, he doesn't have an awful lot of friends per se _ doesn't have an awful lot of friends per se as_ doesn't have an awful lot of friends per se as it — doesn't have an awful lot of friends per se as it is, he's one of those sort _ per se as it is, he's one of those sort of— per se as it is, he's one of those sort of people. although he won a bil sort of people. although he won a big majority in 2019, he did steadily— big majority in 2019, he did steadily lose people from that. it atrophied over the course of his parliament. reports in the guardian that if— parliament. reports in the guardian that if he _ parliament. reports in the guardian that if he did become prime minister, a swathe of backbenchers would _ minister, a swathe of backbenchers would either become independent or defect _ would either become independent or defect if_ would either become independent or defect if he became prime minister again _ defect if he became prime minister again. here you have the fundamental problem _ again. here you have the fundamental problem which the guardian alludes to by calling them tribes. whoever becomes_ to by calling them tribes. whoever becomes prime minister has to somehow— becomes prime minister has to somehow unite a party which has been somehow unite a party which has been so incredibly— somehow unite a party which has been so incredibly divided for years now. the brenit— so incredibly divided for years now. the brexit vote was supposed to heal those _ the brexit vote was supposed to heal those divisions, it has actually ripped — those divisions, it has actually ripped it — those divisions, it has actually ripped it open and made it worse and spread _ ripped it open and made it worse and spread it— ripped it open and made it worse and spread it along the country. if boris — spread it along the country. if borisjohnson became prime minister, the chances _ borisjohnson became prime minister, the chances of chaotic scenes in a parliamentary vote like the one that

did for— parliamentary vote like the one that did for liz— parliamentary vote like the one that did for liz truss last week are extremely high.— did for liz truss last week are extremely high. you talk about brexit divisions, _ extremely high. you talk about brexit divisions, but _ extremely high. you talk about brexit divisions, but rishi - extremely high. you talk about | brexit divisions, but rishi sunak supported brexit, of course. weill. supported brexit, of course. well, su ”ortin supported brexit, of course. well, supporting brexit, _ supported brexit, of course. well, supporting brexit, and _ supported brexit, of course. well, supporting brexit, and being 0k supported brexit, of course. well, supporting brexit, and being ok with remain _ supporting brexit, and being ok with remain and not, that's all well and good, _ remain and not, that's all well and good, but — remain and not, that's all well and good, but half the country doesn't care about — good, but half the country doesn't care about brexit any more, sol don't _ care about brexit any more, sol don't think— care about brexit any more, sol don't think that is the big issue any more _ don't think that is the big issue any more. we have the fact that brexit— any more. we have the fact that brexit has— any more. we have the fact that brexit has made us poorer, we have a government— brexit has made us poorer, we have a government which is supposed to be united _ government which is supposed to be united in_ government which is supposed to be united in taking britain into growth and prosperity, and can't do it while — and prosperity, and can't do it while it— and prosperity, and can't do it while it is— and prosperity, and can't do it while it is wedded to its idea of what _ while it is wedded to its idea of what brexit ought to be. you have to adapt _ what brexit ought to be. you have to adapt that _ what brexit ought to be. you have to adapt that idea to circumstances, and most — adapt that idea to circumstances, and most of the country wants closer ties with _ and most of the country wants closer ties with europe and more trade with europe, _ ties with europe and more trade with europe, and — ties with europe and more trade with europe, and that's what the next prime _ europe, and that's what the next prime minister has to try to do. the conservative — prime minister has to try to do. the conservative party are absolutely incapable — conservative party are absolutely incapable of squaring that circle within _ incapable of squaring that circle within themselves, they can't reconcile _ within themselves, they can't reconcile everything they campaigned on, whatever they campaigned on in the past _ on, whatever they campaigned on in the past. besides which, you now

have _ the past. besides which, you now have massive divisions in the party, even _ have massive divisions in the party, even if— have massive divisions in the party, even if rishi — have massive divisions in the party, even if rishi sunak became prime minister— even if rishi sunak became prime minister and had the support of maybe — minister and had the support of maybe half of his parliamentary partv, _ maybe half of his parliamentary party, there are still enough wing nuts in_ party, there are still enough wing nuts in there that wanted truss that one forest— nuts in there that wanted truss that one forest that would undermine him and rebel. _ one forest that would undermine him and rebel, and lose the whip. we would _ and rebel, and lose the whip. we would have — and rebel, and lose the whip. we would have this lime on and on until there _ would have this lime on and on until there is— would have this lime on and on until there is a _ would have this lime on and on until there is a general election. the best— there is a general election. the best thing _ there is a general election. the best thing would be to give it to a relatively— best thing would be to give it to a relatively safe pair of hands. —— that— relatively safe pair of hands. —— that wanted truss, that want boris. that would — that wanted truss, that want boris. that would give them a chance of not losing _ that would give them a chance of not losing the _ that would give them a chance of not losing the election as badly as if they had — losing the election as badly as if they had it tomorrow, that is the best chance the tories could hope for, best chance the tories could hope for. to— best chance the tories could hope for. to save — best chance the tories could hope for, to save some of them. in best chance the tories could hope for, to save some of them.- for, to save some of them. in the telegraph. _ for, to save some of them. in the telegraph, charles _ for, to save some of them. in the telegraph, charles law, - for, to save some of them. in the telegraph, charles law, the - telegraph, charles law, the biographer of margaret thatcher or because, saying now is not the time for boris. the telegraph is a paper that boris johnson for boris. the telegraph is a paper that borisjohnson has written for a lot, and it has supported him, but the banner above the daily

telegraph's masthead, now is not the time for boris. he won't enjoy reading that on his flight back from the caribbean if he has a copy. absolutely. this is very much his paper, but actually, all of the papers that have a lot of tory member readers are not good reading for him, even the mail is not coming out for borisjohnson at this stage. charles morris, borisjohnson's old boss, lest we forget, still calling borisjohnson a brilliant boris johnson a brilliant campaigner, borisjohnson a brilliant campaigner, but they are saying now is not the moment for him to come back. i think that's quite interesting, if even the telegraph is saying that, i think that sets out that he does have a problem. he's only been gone in political terms what feels like five minutes, right? i think it is deeply problematic, when he also has so many problems hanging over him, so tarnished. lots of people think there is a route back for boris johnson at some point. god help us!

but is it quite so soon? i think there is a real problem there. and there is a real problem there. and william hague, lord haig, not a big william hague, lord haig, nota big fan either. he is saying if boris johnson gets it, the tory party would go into a death spiral. that is according to the times front page. johnson will prove fatal, says the times headline. another one he won't enjoy reading when he gets back from the caribbean. l won't enjoy reading when he gets back from the caribbean.- back from the caribbean. i think william hague _ back from the caribbean. i think william hague is _ back from the caribbean. i think william hague is being - back from the caribbean. i thinkl william hague is being optimistic because — william hague is being optimistic because the conservative party has been _ because the conservative party has been in _ because the conservative party has been in a _ because the conservative party has been in a death spiral for some time, _ been in a death spiral for some time, the — been in a death spiral for some time, the fact he thinks they might enter— time, the fact he thinks they might enter one — time, the fact he thinks they might enter one is astonishing. they will lose the _ enter one is astonishing. they will lose the next election, whether it is in a _ lose the next election, whether it is in a week— lose the next election, whether it is in a week or two years' time. torv— is in a week or two years' time. torv mps — is in a week or two years' time. tory mps know they are heading for a period _ tory mps know they are heading for a period in_ tory mps know they are heading for a period in opposition, it is how to -et period in opposition, it is how to get as— period in opposition, it is how to get as many of them there as possible _ get as many of them there as possible without losing too many seats _ possible without losing too many seats and — possible without losing too many seats and destroying the party on the wav — seats and destroying the party on the way. they want to get to the opposition— the way. they want to get to the

opposition benches with enough of them, _ opposition benches with enough of them, with enough talent there, in order— them, with enough talent there, in order to _ them, with enough talent there, in order to rebuild and come back in five years — order to rebuild and come back in five years' time, maybe ten years' time, _ five years' time, maybe ten years' time, if— five years' time, maybe ten years' time, if keir— five years' time, maybe ten years' time, if keir starmer gets a really bil time, if keir starmer gets a really big majority. that is what the sensible _ big majority. that is what the sensible heads at the party are aiming — sensible heads at the party are aiming at _ sensible heads at the party are aiming at. unfortunately, you have a lot of— aiming at. unfortunately, you have a lot of less _ aiming at. unfortunately, you have a lot of less than sensible heads in the conservative party at the moment who want _ the conservative party at the moment who want to _ the conservative party at the moment who want to do crazy things like get back boris— who want to do crazy things like get back borisjohnson, saying he is electoral— back borisjohnson, saying he is electoral dynamite and he always wins elections, to put date—macro despite _ wins elections, to put date—macro despite the fact the polls have had labour— despite the fact the polls have had labour ahead since 2021, and the fact boris— labour ahead since 2021, and the fact borisjohnson's own constituency has a very small 7000 majority, _ constituency has a very small 7000 majority, which all the focus groups are showing he is on course to lose. if are showing he is on course to lose. if he _ are showing he is on course to lose. if he is— are showing he is on course to lose. if he is serious about standing to be prime — if he is serious about standing to be prime ministeragain, only if he is serious about standing to be prime minister again, only six weeks _ be prime minister again, only six weeks after he had to walk out of that office, then i think that would be a case — that office, then i think that would be a case of his ego overtaking his actual— be a case of his ego overtaking his actual sense of reality. this man,

if he _ actual sense of reality. this man, if he did _ actual sense of reality. this man, if he did become prime minister, would _ if he did become prime minister, would lose. he would probably lose his seat. _ would lose. he would probably lose his seat, he would definitely lose to keir— his seat, he would definitely lose to keir starmer. there is no real successful— to keir starmer. there is no real successful route through this for johnson — successful route through this for johnson unless he were to say, i think— johnson unless he were to say, i think rishi — johnson unless he were to say, i think rishi sunak's time it is, and iwill— think rishi sunak's time it is, and i will head — think rishi sunak's time it is, and i will head straight onto the speech circuit— i will head straight onto the speech circuit because i like being on holidav — circuit because i like being on holidav it _ circuit because i like being on holiday. it tells you everything, he's _ holiday. it tells you everything, he's been — holiday. it tells you everything, he's been on three holidays over the summer— he's been on three holidays over the summer since july, he's been on three holidays over the summer sincejuly, he's he's been on three holidays over the summer since july, he's only been out of— summer since july, he's only been out of the — summer since july, he's only been out of the job six weeks, he is in the dominican republic, he should have been— the dominican republic, he should have been in parliament voting these past couple of weeks and he hasn't been, _ past couple of weeks and he hasn't been, because he is disengaged, he is not _ been, because he is disengaged, he is not that— been, because he is disengaged, he is not that bothered about it. someone _ is not that bothered about it. someone has dangle a carrot in front of him _ someone has dangle a carrot in front of him and _ someone has dangle a carrot in front of him and his ego can't say no, but when _ of him and his ego can't say no, but when he _ of him and his ego can't say no, but when he gets— of him and his ego can't say no, but when he gets here, i hope why do —— i when he gets here, i hope why do —— i hope _ when he gets here, i hope why do —— i hope wiser— when he gets here, i hope why do —— i hope wiser heads can contain him. the daily— i hope wiser heads can contain him. the daily mail have a little comment column on theirfront the daily mail have a little comment column on their front page, saying, the time for egos and petty feuding is over. 0bviously the time for egos and petty feuding is over. obviously this leadership contest, like any leadership contest in any party, is all about egos and feuding obviously.— in any party, is all about egos and feuding obviously. good luck trying to end the time _ feuding obviously. good luck trying to end the time for _ feuding obviously. good luck trying

to end the time for egos _ feuding obviously. good luck trying to end the time for egos in - feuding obviously. good luck trying to end the time for egos in the - to end the time for egos in the conservative party! what is it, six years of egos? the question they are asking in the headline, obviously whenever you ask a question in a headline, usually the answer is no. they are asking, could they team up? 0bviously they are asking, could they team up? obviously this seems ludicrous because of course we know boris johnson blames rishi sunak, he thinks he is the reason so many mps moved against him. it was the sort of knife in the back. if boris johnson does have form for forgiving somebody who has knifed him politically, and that is michael gove... michael gove was the architect of borisjohnson in 2016 not getting through to the membership vote for the leadership. and of course he brought him back into his cabinet when borisjohnson became prime minister. i wondered, susie mentioned that borisjohnson has no friends, which is widely known about him. it does make him a

bit more amenable to doing deals, because if you don't have any friends, you don't really have a sense of loyalty! so i think on the surface, it seems mad, but susie is right, it does give him a get out. if he comes back and all of the tory clever people say to him, hang on a minute, you have the privileges committee hanging over you, economic disaster ahead, committee hanging over you, economic disasterahead, do committee hanging over you, economic disaster ahead, do you really want to be the prime minister now or do you want to bide your time? there is an argument where he can get behind rishi, but then again there is the borisjohnson ego, and i think that will be the blog to him doing that. in the f t, investors and mps alarmed by the idea ofjohnson's return. we have seen enough turmoil on the markets in the last few weeks caused by the mini budget last month, and investors not very happy with this prospect either. h0. with this prospect either. no, moody's. _ with this prospect either. no,

moody's. the _ with this prospect either. no, moody's, the credit _ with this prospect either. no, moody's, the credit rating agency, has downgraded the uk with the speculation a little bit more. the problem — speculation a little bit more. the problem is — speculation a little bit more. the problem is the markets could react favourably— problem is the markets could react favourably or not favourably, according to what they know about someone — according to what they know about someone who is going to come into power— someone who is going to come into power and — someone who is going to come into power and what they may or may not do. power and what they may or may not do they _ power and what they may or may not do. they would probably react more favourablv _ do. they would probably react more favourably to rishi sunak, because they would expect him to be more fiscally— they would expect him to be more fiscally responsible. they didn't react— fiscally responsible. they didn't react much at all to liz truss's appointment until the disastrous mini budget, and then they reacted quite badly. because everyone knows from boris _ quite badly. because everyone knows from borisjohnson's quite badly. because everyone knows from boris johnson's tenure what kind of— from boris johnson's tenure what kind of prime minister he has been, not necessarily terribly good at telling — not necessarily terribly good at telling the truth or displaying integrity, i think generally the markets — integrity, i think generally the markets are going to react in much the same _ markets are going to react in much the same way as our international allies, _ the same way as our international allies, apart from volodymyr zelensky in ukraine, which is to go, god, _ zelensky in ukraine, which is to go, god, no, _ zelensky in ukraine, which is to go, god, no, not— zelensky in ukraine, which is to go, god, no, not him again. you can't recvcle _ god, no, not him again. you can't recvcle in— god, no, not him again. you can't recycle in politics, you can't keep going _ recycle in politics, you can't keep going back— recycle in politics, you can't keep going back to what you did before and think—

going back to what you did before and think it will be ok, because eventually people do get fed up of it and _ eventually people do get fed up of it and it _ eventually people do get fed up of it and it may well be that boris johnson — it and it may well be that boris johnson is _ it and it may well be that boris johnson is entertaining on the news channels, _ johnson is entertaining on the news channels, and us chaosjunkies, the journalists, — channels, and us chaosjunkies, the journalists, having a wonderful time talking _ journalists, having a wonderful time talking about him and thinking he's coming _ talking about him and thinking he's coming back. but actually, that's not what — coming back. but actually, that's not what most people want and not what the _ not what most people want and not what the country needs. when there are people _ what the country needs. when there are people who are struggling to find a _ are people who are struggling to find a way— are people who are struggling to find a way to fill their cupboards and keep— find a way to fill their cupboards and keep their houses warm. this isn't _ and keep their houses warm. this isn't the _ and keep their houses warm. this isn't the person for that kind of job _ isn't the person for that kind of “0b. �* ., isn't the person for that kind of “0b. . ., , ., , isn't the person for that kind of “0b. . ., , .,, ., ., ,, job. although people do make olitical job. although people do make political comebacks _ job. although people do make political comebacks of - job. although people do make political comebacks of course | job. although people do make i political comebacks of course and they have throughout political history. the mirror, here is a picture of borisjohnson and his wife on holiday in the caribbean. as we have been reporting tonight, we gather they are on a plane heading back to the uk. surely not again is the headline there. they say he is flying in to worm his way back into number ten. they have a petition

with 80,000 signatures demanding a general election.— general election. yeah, and we're auoin to general election. yeah, and we're going to have _ general election. yeah, and we're going to have a — general election. yeah, and we're going to have a growing _ general election. yeah, and we're going to have a growing clamourl general election. yeah, and we're l going to have a growing clamour for going to have a growing clamourfor a general election. 80,000, i think that's going to grow and grow. we are going to have a very odd situation where we will have had two different, and it might be the same one again, but we will have had two changes of leadership since the last general election. and obviously also we have had this ridiculous cycle of home secretaries and chancellors, so a lot has changed. liz truss went back on quite a lot of the conservative manifesto. so there is a question of legitimacy. it does feel, as things get ever tougher, and we've got this massive cost of living crisis which obviously is what we should be talking about instead of the conservative party, the big difficult issues for the country are going to make it so difficult to govern, and almost

possibly almost unmanageable... i think that will grow, but i still think that will grow, but i still think we are going to be looking at a 2024 general election. i don't think the conservative party, those people's jobs, think the conservative party, those people'sjobs, i think think the conservative party, those people's jobs, i think they will be selfish by not going to the country earlier, but i think that's what they will do. so i don't think they will heed the call, but i think the call will only ever get bigger. let's end with the star, why not? bozo back at number ten. they have tossed aside the lettuce, now they are serving up the aubergine, boris johnson as an aubergine. just when you thought you had had all salad base ponds exhausted, bozojohnson has emerged to replace lettuce liz. __ pu has emerged to replace lettuce liz. —— pu n s. they have got it right,

because the shelf life of a lettuce is about a week, but if boris johnson comes in, he has only half the time liz truss did as an aubergine. the papers have had a lot of fun with the lettuce idea. 0n aubergine. the papers have had a lot of fun with the lettuce idea. on one level, there has been some hilarity at the political chaos of the last few days and weeks, but on another level, this is affecting real people's lives, isn't it? absolutely. anyone who has had to remortgage over this period has found themselves financially wounded, and that's just one thing, you know? someone described the daily star front page, the lettuce stuff has been amazing, but someone described it as the difficult second album syndrome. it's not quite clear that the aubergine... i think it's not quite as clever as the lettuce, which was a reference to the economist article which said liz

truss had roughly the shelf life of a lettuce. it’s truss had roughly the shelf life of a lettuce. �* , ., ., truss had roughly the shelf life of a lettuce. �* , . . . a lettuce. it's amazing that story has one a lettuce. it's amazing that story has gone from — a lettuce. it's amazing that story has gone from the _ a lettuce. it's amazing that story has gone from the economist. a lettuce. it's amazing that story has gone from the economist to | a lettuce. it's amazing that story i has gone from the economist to the star. ., , ., ., ., , star. yeah, brilliant “ournalism. .. what star. yeah, brilliant “ournalism. .. whamm— star. yeah, brilliant “ournalism. .. what your best _ star. yeah, brilliant journalism. .. what your best guess _ star. yeah, brilliant journalism. .. what your best guess as - star. yeah, brilliant journalism. .. what your best guess as to - star. yeah, brilliant journalism. .. what your best guess as to who l star. yeah, brilliant journalism... | what your best guess as to who is going to be the next prime minister? let's put you both on the spot to end with. l let's put you both on the spot to end with. ~ , let's put you both on the spot to end with. ,, , ,, ., ,, ., end with. i think rishi sunak, and i think a general— end with. i think rishi sunak, and i think a general election _ think a general election by christmas or the new year. but why would he call _ christmas or the new year. but why would he call an _ christmas or the new year. but why would he call an election? - christmas or the new year. but why would he call an election? he - christmas or the new year. but why would he call an election? he won'tj would he call an election? he won't have a choice. _ would he call an election? he won't have a choice, because _ would he call an election? he won't have a choice, because his - would he call an election? he won't have a choice, because his party . have a choice, because his party will collapse the government the same _ will collapse the government the same way they have collapsed in the last two _ same way they have collapsed in the last two. they can't pull together for the _ last two. they can't pull together for the greater good. the last two. they can't pull together for the greater good.— last two. they can't pull together for the greater good. the choice is to avoid an — for the greater good. the choice is to avoid an election... _ for the greater good. the choice is to avoid an election... you - for the greater good. the choice is to avoid an election... you can't i to avoid an election... you can't 'ust sit to avoid an election... you can't just sit there — to avoid an election... you can't just sit there if _ to avoid an election... you can't just sit there if he _ to avoid an election... you can't just sit there if he can't - to avoid an election... you can't just sit there if he can't pass - just sit there if he can't pass legislation, if labour and the lib dems— legislation, if labour and the lib dems undermine him in parliament, as they dems undermine him in parliament, as thevdid_ dems undermine him in parliament, as thev did to— dems undermine him in parliament, as they did to liz truss last week, the

government will collapse again. what is our government will collapse again. what is your take. — government will collapse again. what is your take, who _ government will collapse again. what is your take, who is _ government will collapse again. twist is your take, who is going to be the next tory leader and prime minister? i am really torn, because my head says rishi sunak, but the maximum chaos and disaster option, which great britain seems to be going for all of those, is to bring back boris johnson. we have got worse with our prime ministers over the last six years, so i'm going to go with the return of borisjohnson, as mad as it is. return of boris johnson, as mad as it is. �* �* , ., ., return of boris johnson, as mad as itis. �* �*, ., ., ., it is. and it's not that mad, because — it is. and it's not that mad, because if— it is. and it's not that mad, because if he _ it is. and it's not that mad, because if he gets - it is. and it's not that mad, because if he gets the - it is. and it's not that mad, because if he gets the 100| it is. and it's not that mad, - because if he gets the 100 votes and it goes to the party membership, and there is a good chance he could win. they do have a sense of buyers' remorse, some of them, over liz truss, you can see that in the polling. truss, you can see that in the ollina. �* , . truss, you can see that in the ollina. h ., ., truss, you can see that in the ollina. fl ., ., , polling. it's quite hard to pull the members. _ polling. it's quite hard to pull the members. so _ polling. it's quite hard to pull the members, so treat _ polling. it's quite hard to pull the members, so treat it _ polling. it's quite hard to pull the members, so treat it with - polling. it's quite hard to pull the members, so treat it with a - polling. it's quite hard to pull thej members, so treat it with a pinch polling. it's quite hard to pull the i members, so treat it with a pinch of salt, but i do think that maybe sense could prevail, but let's not bet on that in 2022!— sense could prevail, but let's not bet on that in 2022! great to have ou both bet on that in 2022! great to have you both with _ bet on that in 2022! great to have you both with us, _ bet on that in 2022! great to have you both with us, thank— bet on that in 2022! great to have you both with us, thank you - bet on that in 2022! great to have you both with us, thank you for i bet on that in 2022! great to have l

you both with us, thank you for your review of the papers and political predictions. very good to see you both. that is it for the papers, we will be back tomorrow evening with martin benson, the home affairs editor at the evening standard, and the author and journalist emma wolfe. for now, all of us, have a very good night. good evening, i'm lizzie greenwood—hughes here with your latest sports news and we're starting at the rugby league world cup where scotland have been thrashed 84—0 in their second pool match by favourites australia. no—one expected scotland to beat the defending champions but this was totally one—sided, australia scored 15 tries. they were 40—0 up by half time and didn't ease up, continuing to assert their dominance after the break asjosh addo—carr scored four tries. it's the biggest victory

in this world cup so far. we wanted to start the game well and i to score a lot of points. sides in the past, ourfirst time sides in the past, our first time together, sides in the past, ourfirst time together, in past, our first time together, in a kangaroos i we set the kangaroos jersey, i think we set the platform tonight for the australian .......... f.u[...l .: . ....... ........ fullcred|t to . , pzuffciditt; {hz 5 pml’c'ré'dit to the 55}! h 7 ' team. full credit to the boys tonight, i love representing the country. the first female referee at a men's rugby league world cup — kasey badger — says she hopes to inspire more women to be involved in the sport. the australian, who officiates in the nrl, will make history on monday when she takes charge of wales' group match against tonga. and she won't be the only female in authority at the game, one of the touch judges

is also a woman. seeing a female at that level and knowing that females can get there and are confident enough to do that job, that when they see what i can do on the field, they will realise that this is not a token appointment, it's not something to just tick a box and say, look, we have females in our sport. that people will watch and go, you know what? females actually can be good enough to get there at the elite level in the male game. there was a very tight game in rugby union's premiership tonight between london irish and gloucester. and it went the way of gloucester who won 22—21 but only after an extraordinary adam hastings drop—goalfrom his own half to win the game. he's the son of the legendary scotland captain gavin hastings. there was some bad news for england ahead of their upcoming internationals afterjonny may and henry arundell both went off injured. scarlets lost to connacht

in the united rugby championship. a bonus point 36—14 victory which lifts the irish province 0nto football, and var made its debut in the scottish premiership in stjohstone's 2—1win over hibernian. stjohnstone were a goal down but came back to win it after hibs had a player sent off. the everton manager frank lampard says he has "huge respect" for stephen gerrard who was sacked by aston villa after their 3—0 defeat at fulham last night. gerrard is the fourth premier league manager to be sacked this season. he won 13 of his 40 matches in charge of villa afterjoining them from rangers. a huge amount of respect for him as a player and a person and manager, so that is the first thing. i think it is not nice for someone to lose theirjob and when it is in the public eye,

from my experience it can be difficult in many ways. but he is a very tough lad, a good family around him and all that. the former world number one tennis player simona halep says �*she'll fight for the truth' after being suspended from the sport for failing a drugs test. the international tennis integrity agency announced that halep had tested positive for a blood—boosting drug. but she's promised to clear her name. 0ur tennis correspondent russell fuller explains. she had returned a positive test for roxadustat. that was at the us open last month. that is a drug that is on the world anti—doping agency's banned list. it's also a drug that carries with it a mandatory provisional suspension. it is used in certain countries as medication to treat kidney problems, and in particular anaemia. the issue that halep has now is she cannot play until she has cleared her name. max verstappen has already won

the formula one drivers' title this season, but he won't be taking his foot of the gas as he's aiming to help his red bull team secure the constructors' championship at this weekend's united states grand prix. ferrari will need to win the race and finish second to delay the inevitable. carlos sainz showed they're capable by topping the timesheets in first practice at the circuit of the americas in austin in texas. but max verstappen was second quickest. he and his team—mate sergio perez only need to finish third and fourth to claim the championship for red bull. the russian anti—doping authority have announced they won't be making public the results of an investigation into the ice skater who failed a drugs test before this year's winter olympics. the skater is assumed to be kamila valieva, the teenager who helped russia win team gold in beijing before crashing out of the individual competition following international condemnation. rusada say they're keeping their findings private to protect the interests of the skater.

the us equivalent have called for world anti—doping to immediately appeal the decision. rory mcilroy is in contention at the cj cup in south carolina. the defending champion shot a 5—under par opening round of 66 and is under way in the second round. he came close to an albatross here on the 12th from 230 yards but it narrowly missed the cup. mcilroy went on to miss his chance for eagle and settled for a birdie. if the northern irishman wins, he'll go back to world number one for the first time since 2020. and that's all the sport for now. variety is the spice of life, plenty of that, sunshine, showers, wind and

warmth. we start saturday with some rain across northern ireland pushing across the scottish borders, drier and brighter behind before sundry downpours in the south west later on. warm in the sunshine, once again temperatures in the high teens. through saturday night into early sunday, perhaps some sharp thundery showers moving steadily northwards, with cloud around, temperatures will hold up widely into the mid—teens. but this pulse of wet weather could continue to be heavy and thundery as it moves steadily north out of northern england into the scottish borders, allowing for brighter conditions behind. the best drier weather in scotland in the far north. top temperatures 11—18. take care.

this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. the contest to become the uk's next prime minister heats up — with senior conservative penny mordaunt becoming the first to enter the race. the former us prsident donald trump is summoned to testify before the congressional committee, investigating last year's attack on the capitol building. preparing to be sworn in — on sunday, giorgia meloni will become italy's first female prime minister — and the nation's first far—right leader, since the second world war. as president putin inspects his troops — with no military experience are being called up and sent to the front line.

when mobilisation was being discussed i agreed with my family that if such a situation