'I hope Corbyn will try to match John Major': your best comments today

Before the referendum, Sir John Major and Tony Blair travelled to Derry City in Northern Ireland warning that voting to leave the EU could “jeopardise the unity” of the UK. Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Former British prime ministers have been speaking out on Brexit, much to the interest of our commenters.

First up was John Major, with his call for a Commons vote on a second referendum. The former PM did not mince his works, describing his own Conservative party’s approach as “a folly” and “bad politics”.

Then Tony Blair joined his predecessor in doubting the realism of Theresa May’s plans, ahead of her own keynote Brexit speech on Friday.

Former PMs take on Brexit

John Major’s speech yesterday was what Jeremy Corbyn should have been saying for the past 12-18 months.

Major’s anger, passion and attitude of “not standing for this anymore” were remarkable, and I never thought that I’d favourably compare a former Tory PM, least of all John Major, to a Labour leader.

I now hope that Corbyn has watched the speech, and understands that we must at least try to oppose a devastating Tory Brexit.
YorkerBouncer

Good grief, I never thought I would be agreeing with both Blair and Major. I am going to lie down in a darkened room.
zitan

Cuts to children’s centres mean lifelines are disappearing.

Since 2010, more than 500 children’s centres have closed as local authorities struggle with eight years of austerity. Readers talked about the impact of childrens’ centres on their own lives.

Children’s centres are not just there for disadvantaged families or ‘feckless’ parents.

My children’s centre supports me with my mental health, including providing me with a family worker who comes to my home twice a month as well as weekly Revive sessions. These are small groups of mothers with mental health issues where a nursery nurse plays with our children and we do something creative or get support through meditation, mindfulness and talking. It is absolutely a life-saver, some of the women in my group have attempted suicide before and the support given to us by the children’s centre staff is invaluable.
Emeeno

Met office issues new red warning as wind and snow cause chaos

A car travels through snow in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, as heavy snow and sub-zero conditions have blighted Britain’s roads, railways and airports, with delays and cancellations. Photograph: Danny Lawson/PA

The “Beast from the East” continues to impact travel, schools and work across the UK, with blizzards and freezing temperatures.

More snow: it’s been snowing all night and still snowing. My kids’ school is closed again. I’m in Yorkshire, this is weather like I used to see.

To those people who are trapped, please keep warm and safe. Wishing the emergency services well.
georgina45

Here on the edge of Exmoor the blizzard has now set in. Visibility 100 yards, wind 50 mph, wind chill -16C. On the deserted, ice-bound lanes I keep expecting to see torched houses, butchered horses and a couple of wrecked Mk IVs as the exhausted and demoralised panzergrenadiers stagger past in endless files. Then I come across an abandoned McDonald’s meal deal on the verge and realise that all is well.
ID4760589

Comments have been edited for length. This article will be updated throughout the day with some of the most interesting ways readers have been participating across the site.