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Osborne's first Evening Standard edition shows resolve to take on May Osborne's first Evening Standard edition shows resolve to take on May
(35 minutes later)
George Osborne’s first edition of the London Evening Standard has demonstrated that the former chancellor intends to take on Theresa May, running the splash headline “Brussels twists knife on Brexit” on his first day in the job. George Osborne’s first edition of the London Evening Standard has demonstrated that the former chancellor intends to take on Theresa May, running with the front page headline “Brussels twists knife on Brexit” on day one in the job.
The new editor chose to lead the edition with an article written by veteran political editor Joe Murphy, reporting that the European parliament’s chief Brexit negotiator “openly mocked” May following the dinner to discuss Brexit, leaked over the weekend. The editor chose to lead the edition with a report by the veteran political editor Joe Murphy that the European parliament’s chief Brexit coordinator, Guy Verhofstadt, “openly mocked” May after the dinner to discuss Brexit, leaked over the weekend.
His first leader column – which he is understood to have overseen rather than written personally – calls the vote for Brexit “an historic mistake” and goes on to criticise the Conservative campaign. “There’s nothing wrong with repeating election campaign slogans; the problem comes when the election campaign amounts to no more than a slogan. If you ask for a blank cheque, don’t be surprised if later it bounces.” His first leader column – which Osborne is understood to have overseen rather than written personally – calls the vote for Brexit “an historic mistake” and goes on to criticise the Conservative campaign. “There’s nothing wrong with repeating election campaign slogans; the problem comes when the election campaign amounts to no more than a slogan. If you ask for a blank cheque, don’t be surprised if later it bounces.”
The front page story included a line from the leader column: “The Standard will approach the future committed to the optimism, freedom, diversity and enterprise that makes this such a great nation” – an editorial line that read like a manifesto pledge.The front page story included a line from the leader column: “The Standard will approach the future committed to the optimism, freedom, diversity and enterprise that makes this such a great nation” – an editorial line that read like a manifesto pledge.
The edition will do little to quell political rumours that London’s freesheet could be used as a platform for any future political ambitions, should the Brexit strategy being pursued by the prime minister who sacked Osborne go wrong.The edition will do little to quell political rumours that London’s freesheet could be used as a platform for any future political ambitions, should the Brexit strategy being pursued by the prime minister who sacked Osborne go wrong.
The front page was not all politics, however. Alongside Murphy’s story was a picture of Cara Delevingne at New York’s Met Gala, prompting one insider to comment: “Nothing has changed – Cara is still on the front page.” The front page was not all politics, however. Alongside Murphy’s story was a picture of the model Cara Delevingne at New York’s Met Gala, prompting one insider to comment: “Nothing has changed – Cara is still on the front page.”
Having spent Friday in the office and conducted several “brainstorming” sessions, Osborne promised no major changes or “big bang” to editorial. But the comment pages already looked different.Having spent Friday in the office and conducted several “brainstorming” sessions, Osborne promised no major changes or “big bang” to editorial. But the comment pages already looked different.
Alongside the editorial promising to “go on holding those in power to account without fear or favour”, former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg wrote an opinion piece launching a war on London’s “killer pollution”. Alongside the editorial promising to “go on holding those in power to account without fear or favour”, the former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg wrote an opinion piece launching a war on London’s “killer pollution”.
Although May’s snap election forced Osborne to choose between his Tatton safe seat and new role as editor of the Standard, there were already signs he is determined to enjoy his new job. Although May’s snap election forced Osborne to choose between his safe Tatton seat and new role as editor of the Standard, there were already signs he is determined to enjoy his new job.
The Standard masthead introduced political cartoonist Christian Adams, lured from the Daily Telegraph. In a new slot on the page facing the editorial the cartoonist promised an “acerbic view” of the 8 June election. The masthead featured a cartoon May squawking “strong and stable” in place of the bongs from Big Ben. The Standard masthead introduced the political cartoonist Christian Adams, lured from the Daily Telegraph. In a new slot on the page facing the editorial, the cartoonist promised an “acerbic view” of the 8 June election. The masthead featured a cartoon of May squawking “strong and stable” in place of the bongs from Big Ben.
The London mayor, Sadiq Khan, may have cause for concern, however. Having just scuppered the chances of the garden bridge once supported by the former chancellor the new editor gave bridge designer Thomas Heatherwick space to write: “One day I hope London gets its garden bridge.” The London mayor, Sadiq Khan, may have cause for concern, however. Having just scuppered the planned garden bridge, once supported by the former chancellor, the new editor gave bridge designer Thomas Heatherwick space to write: “One day I hope London gets its garden bridge.”
Standard insiders said Osborne chaired the 8am morning conference ahead of the 56-page edition, smaller in recognition of a quiet bank holiday. Several said it was “eerily quiet – no one was swearing”. Standard insiders said Osborne chaired the 8am editorial conference ahead of the 56-page edition, a smaller publication in recognition of a quiet bank holiday. Several said it was “eerily quiet – no one was swearing”.
Outside the Kensington offices the Standard shares with the Daily Mail, things were notably noisier, with a strike by London’s black cab drivers following reports – in the Mail – that Osborne and the previous government intervened to stop the then mayor Boris Johnson imposing stricter controls on rival car service Uber. Outside the Kensington offices the Standard shares with the Daily Mail, things were notably noisier, with black-cab drivers holding a protest following reports – in the Mail – that Osborne and the previous government intervened to stop the then mayor Boris Johnson imposing stricter controls on rival car service Uber.
Cab drivers to protest George Osborne's new role as Evening Standard editor https://t.co/KSgxhTE9ve
Osborne himself tweeted that he was “excited about first day in new job”:Osborne himself tweeted that he was “excited about first day in new job”:
Excited about first day in new job @EveningStandard. Without fear or favour we'll provide the facts & analysis - and entertain along the wayExcited about first day in new job @EveningStandard. Without fear or favour we'll provide the facts & analysis - and entertain along the way
Osborne is likely to need his commercial skills as well as his editorial ones in his new job. The Standard made pre-tax profit of £3.4m on sales of £71.3m for the year to September 2015. Since then, a declining print advertising market has hit the bottom line. Costs have already had to be cut: earlier this year, the paper decided to move to just one print edition and to controversially cut the shifts and therefore pay of subeditors in half, a decision that had to be explained to him after he took up the post. Osborne is likely to need his commercial skills in his new job. The Standard made pre-tax profit of £3.4m on sales of £71.3m for the year to September 2015. Since then, a declining print advertising market has hit the bottom line. Costs have already had to be cut: earlier this year, the paper moved to just one print edition, and cut the shifts and therefore the pay of subeditors in half, a decision that had to be explained to him after he took up the post.
When he appointed a former Tory chancellor with no journalistic experience to edit the Standard, owner Evgeny Lebedev told critics to “wait and see his paper before judging”. On Tuesday, those he called the “sad old commentariat” will get to do just that. When he appointed a former Tory chancellor with no journalistic experience to edit the Standard, the owner, Evgeny Lebedev, told critics to “wait and see his paper before judging”. On Tuesday, those he called the “sad old commentariat” will get to do just that.