Express & Star comment: Passport decision is spot on

Theresa May’s administration frequently appears to be completely out of tune with the general public.

As an example of this, look no further than her ill-fated general election campaign, which succeeded in giving an unexpected boost to the largely clueless Jeremy Corbyn.

When it comes to making important decisions, the Prime Minister and the majority of her cabinet have been found wanting time and time again.

They have also developed a worrying habit of shooting themselves in the foot.

But on the controversial subject of the new blue British passport, Mrs May could well have got it right.

The new document has been viewed in some quarters as a fitting way to signal our departure from the EU, and marks a return to the style of UK passports of old.

There has been a fair amount of anger over the decision from the Home Office to award a multi-million pound contract to print the passports with a firm that is based in France.

By thrashing out the deal with Gemalto, ministers have taken the contract away from from British company De La Rue, which currently does the work in a factory on Tyneside employing 600 people.

But critics should be aware that it is vital that our economy welcomes competition.

After all, the prospect of free trade is one of the main reasons that this country voted for Brexit in the first place.

The whole point of this country leaving the EU was open up the free market. This is a perfect example of that happening.

Brexit cannot be used as an excuse to give British companies a free pass.

The Government says the decision will save taxpayers £120m, and we can only hope this money is spent wisely.

There are those who will raise issues over security, and it is vital that our passports must be hard to forge and difficult to steal.

The future of De La Rue is also cause for concern. Those who voted for Brexit and promote the virtues of free trade cannot have it both ways.

We must not let our hearts rule our heads.