Labour has to make up its mind on the single market - EXPRESS COMMENT
WHATEVER divisions currently exist between members of the Government over Brexit we can at least be sure that the Conservatives are unwavering in their commitment to seeing Britain leave the EU.
Jeremy Corbyn said Labour is committed to taking Britain out of the single market last weekend
The same cannot be said of Labour. Last weekend Jeremy Corbyn said that his party is committed to the vital step of taking Britain out of the single market.
For all Corbyn’s many faults this was the right decision.
Ending our formal membership of this bloc is the only way to honour the referendum mandate to take back control of our laws, borders, money and trading relationships.
Now though there seems to be confusion as to whether or not Labour would actually back Corbyn’s pledge.
Since he promised to take us out of the single market shadow chancellor John McDonnell, shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer, and now shadow home secretary Diane Abbott have all refused to support their leader’s position.
Diane Abbott has refused to support the Labour leader’s position
Diane Abbott grilled on Labour's Brexit vision
This is a shameful about turn from the official opposition. Their manifesto ahead of the last election made clear the party’s support for delivering on the referendum vote.
This is impossible to square with a policy of staying inside the single market. Last year both sides of the referendum campaign made clear that a vote to leave the EU was a vote to leave the single market.
Senior Labour figures’ failure to embrace this is anti-democratic. It is also an insult to voters.
How can anybody take the party seriously when it is unable to take a clear view on the most important political issue for decades?
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More than 50 MPs have backed calls for better broadband coverage
Broadband is essential
More than 50 MPs have backed calls for better broadband coverage and suggested automatic compensation for families who do not get the internet speeds they have paid for.
For the many homes where standards are not up to scratch this is a serious problem. It can also be a hindrance to rural business.
There is no excuse in a forward looking and technologically advanced country such as Britain for so many people to be missing out on a high-quality internet connection.
This is an increasingly important utility. MPs, providers and the regulator need to treat it as such.
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BA pilots Hugo and Hannah Webb often fly together
No turbulence to report
Hugo and Hannah Webb are not just husband and wife, they are also both pilots who often fly together.
Anybody who has squabbled with their other half over directions when driving might not believe it but the Webbs say it has worked wonders for their relationship.
It seems couples that fly together stay together.