The shadow health secretary described the policy on BBC Newsnight as “radical”, claiming it would “transform our economy”. However, his comments have since been met with sarcasm and anger on Twitter, with one user branding the policy “s**t”.
Mr Ashworth joined host Kirsty Wark on BBC One via webcam.
He said: “It is a big radical policy, we think it will mean a big boost for the economy, it will drive up productivity and it means businesses and households will have access to high-speed broadband – this is transformative for our economy.
“And it’s a real investment in the growth of the economy as well.
“When we say we want a radical change of direction, it’s things like this we’re talking about.”
But Ms Wark hit back at Mr Ashworth, saying that the money needed for this is “phenomenal”.
She said: “If you put plusnet, BT and Virgin out of business in order to do this you’re actually doing something that, for example the equivalent on the railways would be re-nationalising the rail network, nationalising the train companies, the rolling stock, everything – and then not charging anyone for fares.
“That’s the equivalent. You know, it’s extraordinary isn’t it?
“The money is phenomenal.”
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“I think you’ll see in the next 24 hours John McDonnell outlining the details of how this package will work.
“I think this will make a huge difference to economic growth in this country over the next 10 to 15 years.”
But critics on Twitter suggested that Jeremy Corbyn’s “radical” policy is just an attempt to “manipulate” voters.
One user called Julian made a very worrying point.
He said: “Not sure how giving everyone free access to porn in their homes is going to transform the nation’s productivity?”
Another user said: “There’s nothing radical about it, mate; it’s another barnstorming Labour lie to manipulate voters – we’re very much used to them by now.”
One user called Jon said: I cannot believe moderates like my MP Jon Ashworth are getting behind this kind of s**te!”
Charlie replied on Twitter: “Desperate rubbish.
“It’s just a front so these Marxist/Communist lunatics can spy on the workers.
“Very very sinister coming from this lot. Don’t trust them.”
