The UK papers have digested Friday’s Brexit divorce deal news and Saturday’s front pages have delivered their verdicts.
While the side each backed in the EU referendum is a clear predictor of their stance, their reactions span an incredibly wide spectrum of emotions.
HuffPost UK has ranked them on a scale of ‘jubilant celebration’ to ‘intense despair’ with an extra special category for the Daily Mail.
JUBILIANT CELEBRATION
‘REJOICE!’ may look like it was supposed to be part of the wine offer but slipped down in an unfortunate editing error.
According to the pro-Brexit paper, the deal marks “a huge step toward regaining control of its borders, laws and money”.
Hallo, @DailyMailUK . How does an open Irish border give UK control over ‘our borders’? How does ‘aligning regulation’ give us control over ‘our laws’? How does committing to unquantified payments give us control over ‘our money’? #BrexitShambles
December 8, 2017
Saturday’s Express: “Huge Brexit boost at last” (via @hendopolis) #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/DjTHu85JFx
The pro-Brexit Express’s front page is remarkable considering just four days ago it called concessions on the Irish border and the European Court of Justice “a stitch up” in this headline.
The pro-Brexit Sun relegates the news to a tiny section of the front page which lauds the “Champagne Brexfast” and describes how Theresa May has “won”.
Saturday’s Sun: “Glass attack on TV Kat” (via @hendopolis) #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/jzP6tjY65d
Good to see that there is such important front page news.
All aboard for the pro-EU i which declares the UK has “set course” for a soft Brexit.
But that’s not why this guy will be buying it tomorrow.
The pro-EU Daily Mirror takes the opportunity to highlight the concessions the UK has had to make in order to come to a deal.
GUARDIAN: Deal is done but EU warns of more delays #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/eLggiCCMVt
The pro-Brexit Telegraph has a sombre and reflective (and quite classy-looking) take on the deal.
Saturday’s Telegraph: “The price of freedom” (via @hendopolis) #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/GsSsEFqwtF
Many concessions but hey, freedom comes at a price when it comes to Brexit. And Braveheart.
INTENSE DESPAIR
The pro-EU Independent’s digital front page is a bit of a Star Wars-inspired design masterclass.
Saturday’s Independent: “So, 18 months after the Brexit vote….” (via @hendopolis) #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/UOZoy4Gii7
The Independent’s gloom was shared by Nigel Farage – a man the paper rarely sees eye to eye with.
This is not a deal, it’s a capitulation. UK Government has put too much on the table for absolutely nothing guaranteed in return. pic.twitter.com/19fxXn41E0
December 8, 2017
A deal has been reached between the European Union and the United Kingdom on phase one of the Brexit talks.
The European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker revealed early on Friday morning that “sufficient progress” has now been made.
This opens the way for negotiations on the future trade relationship between the UK and EU to begin.
Theresa May said the deal makes sure there will be “no hard border” between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
The prime minister said the rights of EU citizens living in the UK and British citizens living in the EU will be protected
A financial settlement will be paid by the UK to the EU which is “fair to the British taxpayer”, May said.
DUP leader Arlene Foster said she was now satisfied there would now be “no red line down the Irish Sea” separating Northern Ireland from Great Britain.
May will personally guarantee to the people of Ulster six promises, including leaving the EU customs union and single market and upholding the Good Friday Agreement peace deal