ON TWITTER

#TORYSPLIT

Tory MPS Anna Soubry, Heidi Allen and Sarah Wollaston said yesterday they would join eight ex-labour MPS who had left their party over Brexit and anti-semitism.

@Ayocaesar said: “The Independent Group don’t represent a progressive alternative to two-party politics. It’s officially just a holding pen for people who all hate Brexit, but also really like the disastrous economic policies which made it happen in the first place.”

@Jonnygabriel joked: “The Independent Group are getting a lot of attention for a party that have one more member, and the same number of policies, as Blazin’ Squad.”

@Johnshafthauer tweeted: “The Independent Group is so vague in what it hopes to achieve that I wouldn’t be surprised if the next person defecting to it was Theresa May.”

@Benglaze noted: “Fun fact: The Independent Group is now bigger than the DUP in terms of number of MPS.”

@Timothy_stanley argued: “It is not a moderate position to stop Brexit. Moderate position would be the policy of both Labour and Tories: Withdrawal Agreement leading to negotiation to keep trade as unobstructed as possible. The Independent Group is a Remainer bloc & as ideological as Momentum or the ERG.”

#REFEREES

A left-field solution emerged yesterday to the problem of continued strife between Scottish football referees and managers and players of the game’s top clubs. Reports suggested governing bodies are considering going abroad to find match officials.

@Pieandbov posted: “The idea of foreign referees taking charge of our fitba is peak levels of stupid. Just give our existing referees the technology to help them make better, more informed decisions.”

@Martinm57155984 wrote: “Sorry but I’m under scrutiny at my work and these refs are well paid to be under scrutiny 90-180mins a week, not 10hrs a day.”

@Lachiemor1 echoed: “The criticisms of referees that I have seen on social media are almost entirely warranted. If they do their jobs without fear or favour they have nothing to worry about.”

@Pudapple added: “Just make our own officials full time, make them train daily, educate daily and be accountable. They should also explain decisions to captains as well as being available to be interviewed by the media after games.”