Labour’s £100bn-plus ‘free broadband’ pledge is transparent absurdity with a sinister motive
Ruin, superfast
LABOUR’S £100billion-plus “free superfast broadband” pledge is a transparent absurdity with an entirely sinister motive.
It is designed to fool those too dim to think beyond the words “free” and “broadband”.
Who cannot grasp that Corbyn’s “freebies” would all be funded from ruinous rises to their taxes or bills.
This one would, at a stroke, destroy an entire industry which — while far from perfect — performs infinitely better than a state-run monopoly run for its workers instead of its customers.
Ask anyone who waited six months for the nationalised BT to install their landline.
Just when we need world-leading download speeds for the digital era, Labour would bring us “British Broadband”, the British Leyland of tech.
Instead of a low-tax economy which is a magnet for startups, Labour would impose monstrous tax rises and signal to every private firm or foreign investor that nothing they earn or own is safe.
In the 2020s it would drag us back to the vampiric union-dominated practices of the 1970s. Indeed, that is the Marxist method behind this apparent madness.
It’s no accident this idea came from the hard-Left CWU union. Imagine them controlling broadband nationwide, striking over some grievance, crippling its maintenance or even its supply to businesses and families.
The lifeblood of a 21st Century economy, ebbing and flowing at the whim of extremists with no regard for economic growth, democracy or property rights.
“Chilling” doesn’t nearly cover it.
Fix VAR now
OTHER nations had VAR teething troubles. We must learn from them fast.
It is wrong that controversial decisions, not goals, are the talking points after every Premier League game.
Fans at grounds are in the dark about every ruling. That must change internationally.
Rugby supporters can hear what’s going on . . . why not footie fans?
The big screens will shortly provide more information. That’s a start.
Decisions must also be made faster. Refs should routinely study pitch-side monitors.
There must be a margin for error in rulings: too many goals are reversed for some microscopic or dubious infraction.
Not all of this is within the Premier League’s control. But some is.
It should fix VAR’s flaws without delay
Payback time
WE’RE sick of hearing banks’ excuses for not refunding customers robbed by scams.
A pooled compensation fund has been binned.
MOST READ IN OPINION
Some banks claim others do too little to keep crooks out. They must get their act together.
It is their job to keep pace with increasingly sophisticated frauds which dupe even the vigilant.
If Boris Johnson is re-elected he must lean on them to increase security and refund every penny taken from account holders.