The promises made by Boris Johnson were emphatic.
We would leave the EU by October 31 “no ifs, no buts”, he said.
We were told he would rather “die in a ditch” than not complete Brexit by this deadline.
Now we know this is not going to happen.
Having failed to deliver, the PM has tried to hide his embarrassment by if they won’t agree to a Christmas general election.
Labour will be tempted to take the chance to boot out this Tory administration but they should think carefully before deciding their next move, especially when the EU has yet to confirm the terms of any extension.
Johnson’s offer is shallow game playing aimed at covering his own blushes.
There is no guarantee that, once an election has been granted, he won’t change the proposed date to allow for a no-deal Brexit should his deal fail to get through Parliament.
The bottom line is we cannot trust this PM. Why should we when he so frequently breaks his word and makes promises he cannot keep?
Drug victory
The NHS can now provide a drug that will transform the lives of thousands of cystic fibrosis patients.
This is only possible because the US drugs giant Vertex had to be shamed into dropping the price for its Orkambi medicine.
The pharmaceutical firm wanted to charge more than £100,000 a year per patient for this life-changing drug, making it unaffordable.
Vertex only agreed to lower the price after Jeremy Corbyn used his conference speech to promise to change the law to stop firms from abusing their monopoly.
It is also the result of dogged campaigning by charities and the families of patients. They should cherish the victory even though it was a battle they should never have had to fight.
Rat racers
Researchers have taught rats how to drive tiny cars.
It gives a whole new meaning to tailbacks.
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