Border chaos proof EU has got its priorities all wrong - EXPRESS COMMENT
AS if travelling were not stressful enough British holidaymakers are now being forced to stand in immigration queues at some European airports for up to four hours.
Holidaymakers trapped in huge passport queue at Palma airport
It has even been claimed that the issue has caused travellers to miss flights. The official explanation is that this is because of more stringent checks being made on people entering the Schengen area.
This newspaper has long called for the EU to take a more robust approach towards the security of its external border and to work harder to prevent potential criminals and terrorists making it into the Schengen zone.
Tourists have reported being stranded at Europe's main airports
However the policy that has been adopted here is utterly ludicrous.
If EU leaders are concerned about which people are making it on to the continent they should start by addressing the unchecked migrant flows from North Africa and the Middle East, not waste time victimising British tourists.
This is a reminder of how infuriating and wrongheaded the EU’s decision making process can be.
What a relief that Brussels will shortly lose its right to set our laws. Furthermore the introduction of the new checks is not a good enough reason to justify such queues.
The rules were obviously going to slow things down.
Anybody with an ounce of common sense would have seen these problems coming and ensured enough staff were on duty to prevent delays.
Instead our supposed friends on the continent would rather inconvenience holidaymakers than take this rudimentary step.
Given the enormous financial contribution that British tourists make to so many European resorts this is a foolish decision.
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Richard Page was suspended for opposing adoption by gay couples
No respect for his faith
Richard Page claims he is being persecuted for his Christian faith after his views on gay adoption not only saw him removed as a magistrate but also sacked from his job within the NHS.
We are living in worrying times when a man’s religious views, even if they bear little or no relation to his work, can be considered grounds for dismissal.
This is an affront to freedom of speech and to the rights of Christian people to follow and express their faith.
These things are too important to be compromised by political correctness.
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THE BBC has announced a rival show to the Great British Bake Off
A feast of entertainment
Having lost the Great British Bake Off to Channel 4 the BBC has announced a rival show.
Britain’s Best Cook will see the return of Mary Berry as a judge and be hosted by Claudia Winkleman.
Having two such big names is certainly a recipe for success. Fans of the old Bake Off will hope the BBC is about to serve up another treat.