Labour’s pledge for nationalisation is honourable – but they must not shun private enterprise

Whether Brexit happens or not, but especially if it does, the UK will need to do everything it possibly can to improve its competitiveness and productivity. Full-fibre broadband seems an obvious step towards that more prosperous future

“Crazed communist scheme” (Boris Johnson) or symbol of “the most radical and exciting plan for real change the British public has ever seen” (Jeremy Corbyn)?

Labour’s plan to provide free high-speed fibre broadband across the UK is certainly eye-catching, and has given the party a much-needed (presumably) popular policy to counter the Conservatives’ unrelentingly negative campaigning.

The pledge also gives the shadow chancellor, John McDonnell (68), and Mr Corbyn (70) the air of high-tech whizz-kids, forging Labour and the New Britain anew in the white heat of the technological revolution.