The Jersey fishing dispute were the main stories in Friday’s right leaning national papers.
The authorities in Jersey have promised further talks to help resolve the row, but the French government hit out at a “British failure” to abide by the terms of the UK-EU trade deal and warned it would “use all the leverage at our disposal” to protect the fishing industry.
The European Union also accused Jersey of breaching the deal signed by the UK and Brussels.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said efforts would be made to resolve the dispute with Emmanuel Macron’s government and the EU.
“What we have done is make very clear to the French ministers who said some very unwise and disproportionate comments that we will stand with the people of Jersey,” the Cabinet minister said.
Last night ex-speaker John Bercow slammed the Government’s ‘gunboat diplomacy’ on Question Time.
Papers
Well certain newspapers, didn’t take Bercow’s approach, and saw this argument as a great way to do a spot of warmongering with a series of jingoistic headlines.
The Sun cheers the Navy seeing off the protest around the Channel Island’s main port, St Helier, under a fish-themed headline of “Take sprat”.
Tomorrow’s front page: Two Royal Navy warships saw off a blockade of Jersey – sending a 56-strong flotilla of furious French fishermen packing https://t.co/5gYaXqggUH pic.twitter.com/b7cl9w36P1
— The Sun (@TheSun) May 6, 2021
The Daily Star runs with “‘Allo ‘Allo! French fishermen retreat after Brexit battle”.
Tomorrow’s @dailystar #frontpage
— Daily Star (@dailystar) May 6, 2021
’Allo ’allo! french fishermen retreat after Brexit battle
Good moaning, we’ve sent them packing with their tails between
their logs…
https://t.co/DZvrHq3njl#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/hhaACP2B4B
The Daily Mail says French fishermen executed a “familiar manoeuvre”, calling it “Le grand surrender”.
Friday’s @DailyMailUK #MailFrontPages pic.twitter.com/YZFjHoTA4L
— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) May 6, 2021
And Metro calls the fishing skirmish a “Smash & crab”, reporting on the “French retreat” after a British boat was rammed.
TOMORROW’S PAPER TONIGHT ?
— Metro (@MetroUK) May 6, 2021
SMASH & CRAB
? French retreat after ramming British boat in fishing war off coast of Jersey pic.twitter.com/C24TgdJdSy
Meanwhile, The Daily Telegraph reports on the “battle of the lobster pots” but leads on the end of facemasks in classrooms.
The front page of tomorrow’s Daily Telegraph:
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) May 6, 2021
‘End of masks in classroom as ministers defy unions’#TomorrowsPapersToday
? Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/x8AV4Oomry pic.twitter.com/h8ebFU7XoP
The Daily Express splashes on forecasts of a strong rebound for Britain’s economy, saying it is set to grow at its fastest rate in 70 years.
Tomorrow’s front page: That’s what you call a bounce back! #tomorrowspaperstodayhttps://t.co/B0xeeVTNx9 pic.twitter.com/8axX3xG0iG
— Daily Express (@Daily_Express) May 6, 2021
The Times leads on same story, while also reporting people younger than 40 will be offered alternatives to the AstraZeneca vaccine.
TIMES: Economy to grow at record pace #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/4yaAn8csk8
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) May 6, 2021
Reactions
1.
If you’re not deeply embarrassed by this nonsense, then you undoubtedly think that Boris is a top chap with your best interests at heart, that Brexit has made us the envy of the world and that DHL is repeatedly trying to deliver you a parcel. pic.twitter.com/DP77p0N4e5
— Otto English (@Otto_English) May 6, 2021
2.
The Mail journalists should be required to visit the battlefields and ossuary at Verdun before using headlines like this.
— James West (@ejwwest) May 7, 2021
3.
I think it’s very revealing that the Star presents it in terms of a long-gone TV sitcom. It’s for people who have the narrowest of horizons and who never stir their brain cells with reality. When voters actually can’t tell the difference between real life and a sitcom, that’s bad
— Effel (@flcro) May 7, 2021
4.
Strange times when the headline about Aliens being demons is the most sensible part of the front page.
— Murray Ross (@MurrayR74522030) May 6, 2021
5.
Oh Christ, those front pages are just the worst. At this moment in time, with the country the way it is, I’m genuinely embarrassed to be British right now. pic.twitter.com/KAi79SDmbD
— Moog (@a_toots) May 6, 2021
6.
It’s pretty feckin’ dumb to piss off the French, who could easily blockade the Chunnel and their Channel ports if they wanted, forcing UK to EU freight and exports to take longer, slower, lower capacity & more expensive routes! It’s not the 1800s… France isn’t our enemy… FFS!
— ♏edium Dave?????? (@iarepilot) May 7, 2021
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