this is bbc news, the headlines... britain's former chancellor rishi sunak looks set to be officially entering the conservative leadership race after securing the backing of more than 100 mps. rivals earth borisjohnson dismissed claims by his allies that he has also reached a hundred backers with speculation rife that he could enter the contest. penny mordaunt is the only person to formally announce that she is running. she has fewer supporters. ukrainian officials say over 1.5 million people are without power after a new wave of russian attack. giorgia meloni has been sworn in as

italy's first prime minister, the first far right leader and the first female prime minister. —— the first far right leader since the second world war. hello and welcome to our look ahead to what the the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me are author and journalist, emma woolf, and martin bentham, home affairs editor, from the london evening standard. tomorrow's front pages... could there be a deal between rishi sunak and borisjohnson in the conservative leadership race? the sun reports what it calls a secret summit between the two men. the telegraph claims they are being urged to strike a deal and potentially team up to avoid a split in the party. �*boris is back�*

according to the express, after his supporters claimed he had enough support to join the race. inside the paper, penny mordaunt pledges to unite the party if she wins. the observer reports some senior tories are trying to stop borisjohnson attempting any return to downing street, warning he could cause the �*end of the conservative party�* if he does. the labour leader criticises the latest race for power in an interview with the mirror. sir keir starmer has told the paper his party offer �*credible change�*. and a different story covering the sunday people. it reports a warning from head teachers that 90 per cent of schools will run out of money with in a year due to the cost of living crisis. emma, due to the cost of living crisis. martin, hello to you really emma, martin, hello to you both. it reallyjust emma, martin, hello to you both. it really just one story emma, martin, hello to you both. it reallyjust one story in town apart from the schools story which we will touch upon and amended. it is all about momentum, isn�*t it, i think.

emma, the son say 100 mps back by joe, sue go —— rishi sunak bags the big based and details slightly scant about this summit. i�*m big based and details slightly scant about this summit.— about this summit. i'm trying to find out the _ about this summit. i'm trying to find out the details _ about this summit. i'm trying to find out the details of _ about this summit. i'm trying to find out the details of this - about this summit. i'm trying to | find out the details of this secret meeting, not much detail as coming out. the sun are reporting about this alleged meeting, they are locked in talks to see they can strike a deal. but this comes amid a lot of confusion, tim, of the tally of boris johnson�*s lot of confusion, tim, of the tally of borisjohnson�*s support. has he reached this 100? he�*s probably not close, one paper say 5a mps are publicly backing him but rishi sunak is on around 125 at the last count, thatis is on around 125 at the last count, that is people happy to come out and declare full rishi sunak, where is the borisjohnson boat seems to be a lot more shamefaced or secret. and

as you say, rishi sunak has the support of big beasts like kemi badenoch, and also interestingly former allies of borisjohnson like steve barclay and lauder frost have come out in favour of rishi sunak. he also has david davis. boris johnson has priti patel, bill cash, jacob rees bugg, ben wallace, and alok sharma. so, with an eye boris has. we know boris is back. we know he is back but — has. we know boris is back. we know he is back but numbers _ has. we know boris is back. we know he is back but numbers are _ has. we know boris is back. we know he is back but numbers are patchy. i he is back but numbers are patchy. martin camilla is going to the sunday telegraph. boris are back, flying into gatwick early this morning, a man who has been on holiday, suntanned, but that is the wave of quite a confident man. what do you think?— do you think? well, again, as emma said, it is do you think? well, again, as emma said. it is quite _ do you think? well, again, as emma said, it is quite hard _ do you think? well, again, as emma said, it is quite hard to _ do you think? well, again, as emma said, it is quite hard to know, - do you think? well, again, as emma said, it is quite hard to know, and i said, it is quite hard to know, and suddeniy— said, it is quite hard to know, and suddeniy i— said, it is quite hard to know, and suddenly i think until we have got clear_ suddenly i think until we have got clear proof that these 100 backers are actually there, i think that

needs— are actually there, i think that needs to — are actually there, i think that needs to be treated with some scepticism. it is in his supporters interest— scepticism. it is in his supporters interest to — scepticism. it is in his supporters interest to talk about his candidature, not least because all the stories— candidature, not least because all the stories today are talking that a deal, _ the stories today are talking that a deal. well, — the stories today are talking that a deal, well, there would be no need for rishi _ deal, well, there would be no need for rishi sunak to strike a deal if he was _ for rishi sunak to strike a deal if he was going to walk the contest. if boris _ he was going to walk the contest. if boris and _ he was going to walk the contest. if boris and his supporters can convince _ boris and his supporters can convince rishi sunak and his supporters that he is a serious threat, — supporters that he is a serious threat, and possibly even winning the members vote, then of course there _ the members vote, then of course there is_ the members vote, then of course there is a — the members vote, then of course there is a reason for rishi sunak to try to _ there is a reason for rishi sunak to try to strike — there is a reason for rishi sunak to try to strike a deal with boris. but if he _ try to strike a deal with boris. but if he is _ try to strike a deal with boris. but if he is nowhere near, why would rishi _ if he is nowhere near, why would rishi sunak— if he is nowhere near, why would rishi sunak me to do that, other than _ rishi sunak me to do that, other than for— rishi sunak me to do that, other than for the general benefit of the conservative party to try and forge some _ conservative party to try and forge some unity? we will talk about that with a _ some unity? we will talk about that with a next story. but it is very unclean — with a next story. but it is very unclear. clearly, it is better for the tory— unclear. clearly, it is better for the tory party they don't, if they

have _ the tory party they don't, if they have one — the tory party they don't, if they have one person agreed as the person who is— have one person agreed as the person who is going _ have one person agreed as the person who is going to take over and as many— who is going to take over and as many people in the party as possible cantel— many people in the party as possible cancel that— many people in the party as possible cancel that person. the trouble i would _ cancel that person. the trouble i would say, — cancel that person. the trouble i would say, if it is boris, there are quite _ would say, if it is boris, there are quite a _ would say, if it is boris, there are quite a few— would say, if it is boris, there are quite a few people, in particular in the tory— quite a few people, in particular in the tory party and indeed in the country. — the tory party and indeed in the country, who are going to react quite _ country, who are going to react quite badly to that for all sorts of reasons — quite badly to that for all sorts of reasons. and that is why some of the people _ reasons. and that is why some of the people who _ reasons. and that is why some of the people who might have otherwise naturaiiy— people who might have otherwise naturally supported boris as saying not now _ naturally supported boris as saying not now. his biographer what was on earlier— not now. his biographer what was on earlier saying exactly that, it is too soon — earlier saying exactly that, it is too soon for him, if he is to come back— too soon for him, if he is to come back at— too soon for him, if he is to come back at aii~ — too soon for him, if he is to come back at all. and the time hasn't passed — back at all. and the time hasn't passed. the other point being made is that— passed. the other point being made is that he _ passed. the other point being made is that he is— passed. the other point being made is that he is still facing this inquiry— is that he is still facing this inquiry by the commons privileges and standards committee about when he misled _ and standards committee about when he misled the commons. whether you thought— he misled the commons. whether you thought he _ he misled the commons. whether you thought he was a good choice or not, the risk— thought he was a good choice or not, the risk that— thought he was a good choice or not, the risk that that committee is going — the risk that that committee is going to — the risk that that committee is going to find against him and all the controversy that is going to hang _ the controversy that is going to hand over— the controversy that is going to hang over him over the next three months. _ hang over him over the next three months, while that inquiry

continues, is politically damaging in itself, — continues, is politically damaging in itself, isn't it? you are trying to get— in itself, isn't it? you are trying to get a — in itself, isn't it? you are trying to get a fresh start and rebuild, you don't— to get a fresh start and rebuild, you don't want that sort of headache in back— you don't want that sort of headache in back ground. you don't want that sort of headache in back ground-— in back ground. three sessions a week, in back ground. three sessions a week. oral _ in back ground. three sessions a week, oral suspensions - in back ground. three sessions a week, oral suspensions as - in back ground. three sessions a week, oral suspensions as well. | week, oral suspensions as well. emma, let�*s go on the sunday times, tim shipman, the chief physical commentator, he spoke about the meeting between the two men. i think a lot of people will be asking what on earth would satisfy and what position would borisjohnson be offered? it position would boris johnson be offered? , . , , offered? it is really interesting. the summertime _ offered? it is really interesting. the summertime is _ offered? it is really interesting. the summertime is has - offered? it is really interesting. the summertime is has quite i offered? it is really interesting. the summertime is has quite a| offered? it is really interesting. i the summertime is has quite a lot offered? it is really interesting. - the summertime is has quite a lot of juicy details. —— the sunday times. but not a lot at this meeting that we are also excited about. in the sunday times, the defence secretary ben wallace is calling for rishi sunak, borisjohnson and rishi sunak to form a triumvirate to avoid the political infighting. so, there is this general sense that the more division there is, the more they

can�*t agree, the more the party will be absolutely riven and unable to unite. the conservatives are facing what lord haig was calling a death spiral yesterday. this sort of fear that the tory party is really out for decades now, they can�*t come back together, they have had 12 months of political infighting. also the sunday times, there are senior tory donors warning that now is not the right time forjohnson to return. and the sunday times, interestingly, as saying that support for boris is appearing to stall. i think penny mordaunt�*s campaign, certainly, she is on 23 votes, her campaign appears to have really lost momentum, so she�*s being urged to play a kingmaker and lent her support to rishi sunak, which would really push him very, very high up in states, and, finally, dominic raab in the sunday times is

reported to be saying that the partygate investigation is ongoing, the ongoing investigations over whether boris johnson the ongoing investigations over whether borisjohnson lied to the house of commons represent a fundamental hurdle to boris returning to number ten. the big auestion returning to number ten. the big question is _ returning to number ten. the big question is going _ returning to number ten. the big question is going to _ returning to number ten. the big question is going to be _ returning to number ten. the big question is going to be how - returning to number ten. the big question is going to be how the i question is going to be how the markets react, the yields on gilts have gone up on news that boris johnson was entering or could be entering the race again. butjust looking inside the sunday express, martin, they�*ve got a comment piece ljy martin, they�*ve got a comment piece by penny mordaunt and also andrea leadsom who is backing her, interestingly, it was andrea leadsom who bailed out when she was up against theresa may, which allowed the coronation of theresa may. talk us through that. she the coronation of theresa may. talk us through that.— us through that. she is backing penny mordaunt _ us through that. she is backing penny mordaunt and _ us through that. she is backing penny mordaunt and the - us through that. she is backing | penny mordaunt and the theory us through that. she is backing - penny mordaunt and the theory behind hacking _ penny mordaunt and the theory behind backing penny mordaunt is that she

doesn't _ backing penny mordaunt is that she doesn't carry the baggage that boris johnson _ doesn't carry the baggage that boris johnson carries on for some people in the _ johnson carries on for some people in the tory— johnson carries on for some people in the tory party who resent rishi sunaks— in the tory party who resent rishi sunak's role in facilitating the fall of— sunak's role in facilitating the fall of borisjohnson, sunak's role in facilitating the fall of boris johnson, those sunak's role in facilitating the fall of borisjohnson, those people don't _ fall of borisjohnson, those people don't like — fall of borisjohnson, those people don't like him, and she isn't that pleasant — don't like him, and she isn't that pleasant either so she doesn't have baggage _ pleasant either so she doesn't have baggage on either side, in respect of that _ baggage on either side, in respect of that so. — baggage on either side, in respect of that. so, from that point of view, — of that. so, from that point of view, she _ of that. so, from that point of view, she can be seen as a compromise candidate and summary that is— compromise candidate and summary that is not— compromise candidate and summary that is not toxic to any particular side _ that is not toxic to any particular side and — that is not toxic to any particular side and therefore people can unite behind _ side and therefore people can unite behind her — side and therefore people can unite behind her. the problem, obviously, is that— behind her. the problem, obviously, is that she _ behind her. the problem, obviously, is that she hasn't had top—level government experience, she has had lots of— government experience, she has had lots of different government jobs and maybe now would not be the time to do that _ and maybe now would not be the time to do that. she and maybe now would not be the time to do that. ,, ., . and maybe now would not be the time to do that. . . . �* to do that. she had defence, didn't she? not very _ to do that. she had defence, didn't she? not very long. _ to do that. she had defence, didn't she? not very long. but _ to do that. she had defence, didn't she? not very long. but liz - to do that. she had defence, didn't she? not very long. but liz truss l she? not very long. but liz truss had foreign _ she? not very long. but liz truss had foreign secretary _ she? not very long. but liz truss had foreign secretary and - she? not very long. but liz truss had foreign secretary and didn'tl had foreign secretary and didn�*t help her. it had foreign secretary and didn't hel her. , ., .,, help her. it is not the same as bein: help her. it is not the same as being chancellor, _ help her. it is not the same as being chancellor, as _ help her. it is not the same as being chancellor, as rishi - help her. it is not the same as i being chancellor, as rishi sunak help her. it is not the same as - being chancellor, as rishi sunak has been, _ being chancellor, as rishi sunak has been. that— being chancellor, as rishi sunak has been, that is the thing that is holding — been, that is the thing that is holding her back and probably will prevent _ holding her back and probably will prevent her getting beyond the so far limited number of supporters she has got, _ far limited number of supporters she

has got, it— far limited number of supporters she has got, it seems, in this contest. it has got, it seems, in this contest. it doesn't — has got, it seems, in this contest. it doesn't look like it's going to be between rishi sunak and boris johnson — be between rishi sunak and boris johnson. the message that penny mordaunt— johnson. the message that penny mordaunt is conveying is one of unity— mordaunt is conveying is one of unity and — mordaunt is conveying is one of unity and trying to get the party together— unity and trying to get the party together because, clearly, that is a fundamental necessity for any, for the country the mac benefit, we need a stable _ the country the mac benefit, we need a stable government, don't we? and mayhe _ a stable government, don't we? and mayhe -- _ a stable government, don't we? and maybe —— labour say they are incapable _ maybe —— labour say they are incapable of that. from the tory point _ incapable of that. from the tory point of— incapable of that. from the tory point of view, they need stability, they need — point of view, they need stability, they need a unified party as best they need a unified party as best they can — they need a unified party as best they can do it and that is what penny— they can do it and that is what penny mordaunt is talking about in that article. she sees herself as a way of— that article. she sees herself as a way of doing it but there is a broader— way of doing it but there is a broader message, the need for the party— broader message, the need for the party to— broader message, the need for the party to have that is paramount above _ party to have that is paramount above all — party to have that is paramount above all. �* , ., ., , above all. let's leave the tory race and no to above all. let's leave the tory race and go to the _ above all. let's leave the tory race and go to the story, _ above all. let's leave the tory race and go to the story, 9096 - above all. let's leave the tory race and go to the story, 9096 of- above all. let's leave the tory race| and go to the story, 9096 of schools and go to the story, 90% of schools will run out of cash, according to head teachers. well, we all know that we are facing a very difficult

time, economically, and in terms of pay increases and wages demands from unions and whatever, but this set is that quite starkly, doesn�*t it? yes. that quite starkly, doesn't it? yes, this is a survey _ that quite starkly, doesn't it? yes, this is a survey from _ that quite starkly, doesn't it? yes, this is a survey from the _ that quite starkly, doesn't it? yes this is a survey from the national association of head teachers which is expected to report that 50% of heads, according to this new survey, 50% of head teachers say their school is already in deficit this year and almost all of the schools are expected to be in deficit by next september. heads are warning that nine out of ten schools are basically running out of money, due to increased energy bills, soaring energy bills, and increased wages, salary bills. and this of course comes at a time when the education, department for education, like every other department is bracing themselves for severe spending cuts expected byjeremy hunt on halloween. his debt reduction plan is going to probably impose serious

spending cuts. and some of the head teachers are saying that further cuts could push many schools and academies trust over the cliffs and they would have to lose essential teaching and support staff, and the head of the national association says schools are already cut to the bone and there are no easy fixes, so it is a really alarming landscape for schools and colleges. and it is a really alarming landscape for schools and colleges. and the eo - le for schools and colleges. and the people have _ for schools and colleges. and the people have got _ for schools and colleges. and the people have got that _ for schools and colleges. and the people have got that story - for schools and colleges. and the people have got that story as - for schools and colleges. and the | people have got that story as well, schools triple costs of chaos, teachers putting up light bills. it is worth pointing out that the labour party calling publicly for a general election, they would inherit all of this as well, and will be faced with some very tough choices. well, it is not a great time for anybody— well, it is not a great time for anybody to be in power because as you pointed out the basic underlying situation _ you pointed out the basic underlying situation, the recent inflationary pressures— situation, the recent inflationary pressures are being caused by all the chaos— pressures are being caused by all the chaos inflicted by liz truss and kwasi _ the chaos inflicted by liz truss and kwasi kwarteng, but there was

underlying pressure because of the ukraine _ underlying pressure because of the ukraine war in particular pushing up fuel prices— ukraine war in particular pushing up fuel prices and pushing up inflation, so that problem will not 'ust inflation, so that problem will not just go— inflation, so that problem will not just go away. so, it is causing, the schools— just go away. so, it is causing, the schools at— just go away. so, it is causing, the schools at organ at higher energy bills even— schools at organ at higher energy bills even with the subsidies that government are providing, quite a hefty— government are providing, quite a hefty subsidy but it still means energy— hefty subsidy but it still means energy bills are going up, wages are going _ energy bills are going up, wages are going up. _ energy bills are going up, wages are going up, teacher salaries are going up going up, teacher salaries are going up by— going up, teacher salaries are going up by more — going up, teacher salaries are going up by more than they would have been in recent— up by more than they would have been in recent years, all of those things put pressure on, and of course, from a political— put pressure on, and of course, from a political point of view, if you are presiding event and education system _ are presiding event and education system where parents can see their schools _ system where parents can see their schools are — system where parents can see their schools are having to remove teaching _ schools are having to remove teaching assistants or even teachers, that is not something that is going _ teachers, that is not something that is going to _ teachers, that is not something that is going to make you popular, allegedly. however difficult the situation might be an however regrettably understandable some of that might be in the best possible circumstances, that then it is never going _ circumstances, that then it is never going to _ circumstances, that then it is never going to be — circumstances, that then it is never going to be easy. labour would have those _ going to be easy. labour would have those challenges, they would say clearly _ those challenges, they would say clearly they would do it better and managed —

clearly they would do it better and managed to find the money, i suppose. _ managed to find the money, i suppose, but it wouldn't be easy for them, _ suppose, but it wouldn't be easy for them, and _ suppose, but it wouldn't be easy for them, and it— suppose, but it wouldn't be easy for them, and it is not a benign situation _ them, and it is not a benign situation. it is much easier if you are coming — situation. it is much easier if you are coming into government or taking over as _ are coming into government or taking over as a _ are coming into government or taking over as a new prime minister that we might— over as a new prime minister that we might have, — over as a new prime minister that we might have, when world conditions are favourable and you are in that sort of _ are favourable and you are in that sort of environment. we are not in that environment, are we? so, everybody— that environment, are we? so, everybody has a difficult time are dead _ everybody has a difficult time are dead. we — everybody has a difficult time are dead. ~ . -- everybody has a difficult time are dead-_ -- a _ everybody has a difficult time are dead._ -- a difficult - everybody has a difficult time are| dead._ -- a difficult time dead. we have. -- a difficult time ahead. thank _ dead. we have. -- a difficult time ahead. thank you _ dead. we have. -- a difficult time ahead. thank you for _ dead. we have. -- a difficult time ahead. thank you for that - dead. we have. -- a difficult time ahead. thank you for that look - dead. we have. -- a difficult time ahead. thank you for that look at | ahead. thank you for that look at the papers- _ ahead. thank you for that look at the papers. we'll— ahead. thank you for that look at the papers. we'll be _ ahead. thank you for that look at the papers. we'll be back- ahead. thank you for that look at the papers. we'll be back in - ahead. thank you for that look at the papers. we'll be back in 40 l the papers. we�*ll be back in a0 minute times for a second look at the papers but for now, thank you very much.