Conservative MEPs express concern at own party's broadband plans
A group of 20 Conservative MEPs have written to Culture Secretary Maria Miller to express their concerns over the UK's super-fast broadband strategy.
The letter argued that the best way for the government to harness the economic potential of small and medium-sized enterprises is to ensure next-generation broadband is available across the country as soon as possible.
An "urgent and comprehensive revolution" is needed in the speed, scale and scope of the Conservative-led coalition's investment in digital infrastructure, the MEPs insisted.
Unless their recommendations are heeded, the group warned that the UK will be left "hopelessly behind" in the global race for super-fast broadband connectivity.
One of the writers, East Midlands MEP Emma McClarkin, acknowledged there has been "substantial progress" in some geographic areas, but stressed that large swathes of the country are still lagging behind other developed nations in terms of broadband speed and coverage.
"I hope this will be seen as a polite but firm request to our own party's minister to take an urgent grip of a potentially damaging issue," she commented.
Ms McClarkin added that Britain will be "no better than an also-ran in the global race for technological progress" unless swift, decisive action is taken.
