Downing St has put the kybosh on the idea of the Prime Minister acquiring 2 private jets for official business.
The plans for ‘Blair Force 1 & 2’ were announced by the previous PM back in 2006.
Blair’s officials argued that chartering commercial aircraft for overseas trips was impractical and denied them access to secure communication channels and the like.
But Gordon Brown was never too keen on the idea and a statement that the plans are to be scrapped is to be made soon.
Cost will be cited as the reason for the move; the leasing of the planes would have cost the taxpayer 4 million quid a year more than the current arrangements.
But I understand that there were also concerns that the jets would project the wrong image of our notoriously hairshirt Prime Minister.
I will say only that Tony Blair neglected domestic matters as he flew constantly around the world.
The President of the United States has a vast area to cover so Airforce One is justified. A train goes from St. Pancras to Brussels in one and a quarter hours.
We would like a Prime Minister who does not find it necessary to make weekly trips out of the country to give the taxpayers' money away.
As for the Press - let then pay for their own trips.
So, on balance I would say the decision not to buy the PM a pair of jets is a good one.
Posted by: Victor, NW Kent 17 Mar 2008 18:11:14
Gordon seems to project a dour and frugal aura. Perhaps this is true in his personal affairs.
However, after he stopped following Ken Clarke's spending programme in 2000 - he has frittered tax payers money like a drunken sailor on shore leave.
The electorate can see this unelected incompetent for what he is. That's why Labour trails the Conservatives by 16 points in the polls.
Posted by: John, Northumberland 17 Mar 2008 16:15:36
If it was a hot-air balloon they could provide their own fuel.
Posted by: Ian, Lancashire 17 Mar 2008 15:47:06
There is no need for any PM to have a private jet, yet alone two of them. It just go's to show the kind of PM B'liar was. It would of been another Nu Labour Luxary at the cost of the tax payer. B'liar was just trying to keep up with his old boss, George WW3 Bush.
Posted by: Jon, cephalonia, greece 17 Mar 2008 15:36:44
How the mighty have fallen....From "Two Jags" Prezza, to "No Jets" Gordo.........
Posted by: Bernard from Horsham 17 Mar 2008 13:54:59
Sir Joey
Isn't it just the fact that many a politician comes out with [Something Stupid]just so they can listen to [Robbie Williams] uninterrupted!
Posted by: Khalid 17 Mar 2008 12:57:15
Wasting taxpayers money has never stopped Gordon Brown the unelected before.
Posted by: Stephen Williams 17 Mar 2008 11:51:48
It would be worth £4 million quid if Brown would hop on a one way flight to Euro land and stay there.
Posted by: Pantherman 17 Mar 2008 11:24:26
Here's a better idea.
Why don't we lock the whole lot of them up in the Houses of Parliament and throw away the key?
Posted by: Jimmy 17 Mar 2008 10:47:54
While the Goverment decide if the P.M. should have one or two jets do they realize that one of our British Icons and bastion of our values is under attack from the P.C. and Human Rights brigade BASIL BRUSH has been accused of Racism !! this matter should take priority in both the Commons and Lords. BOOM ! BOOM !,
Posted by: DENNIS HERTS 17 Mar 2008 10:35:14
Sensible costs in the light of Derek Conway’s excess.
Firstly PM’s security.
Secondly the cost of PM’s transport.
Thirdly the cost of PM’s entourage.
Fourthly the cost of transporting the media.
How, when we demand less extravagance and more transparency from our MPs in the execution of their duty should we expect anything less for the Prime Minister; sensible security with minimum entourage is clearly the correct way forward.
Should the media be required to contribute to the costs or have we to accept criticism of freeloading by MPs from journalists only to witness freeloading from journalists and their employers?
Posted by: Peter, Fife 17 Mar 2008 08:14:13
How noble. Brown would not have been PM by the time they arrived anyway.
Posted by: Simon Edinburgh 17 Mar 2008 08:05:34
The only real reason I can see that McBottler doesn't want a private jet is that he wont be getting his un-elected bum in it much & will only be handing it over to Cameron to jet around in!
Lets not forget!
McBottler is only a caretaker primeminister & doesn't deserve any better than an easy jet!
Posted by: T. England 17 Mar 2008 07:41:35