From the moment in June when Boris Johnson, then campaigning to be Conservative leader, called for full-fibre broadband in every home by 2025, I thought the issue of broadband would play a big part in the next election.
But I still wasn’t expecting Labour to respond by pledging to nationalise Openreach and deliver free internet access for all. It was a bold ambition that forced broadband on to the political agenda like never before – though it didn’t quite trump the other ‘B’ word in the concerns of the public.
I read lots of contrasting opinions on Labour’s policy – some saying it would be a vital investment in future generations, others claiming it was economically unviable and would cripple Openreach’s rivals.
With Labour’s heavy election loss, free broadband won’t…
