BS: UK Ministers to get their own aeroplane

Subject: BS: UK Ministers to get their own aeroplane
From: Kampervan
Date: 19 Nov 15 - 01:50 AM

Does this really send the right message to those whose benefits and services are being cut?

From the BBC website -----

Prime Minister David Cameron and senior ministers are to get their own plane for official trips.

An RAF Voyager A330 air-to-air refuelling aircraft will be refitted at a cost of about £10m.

The government says the move will save about £775,000 a year as the plane will be cheaper than chartering flights.

Subject: RE: BS: UK Ministers to get their own aeroplane
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Nov 15 - 02:03 AM

An example of the problems of politics.

"Government to find ways of saving £775,000.00 in ministerial travel costs" would be applauded but because they attack the savings of the poor, the income of those in low paid jobs and refer to the desperate as a "swarm" then they deserve all the ridicule and contempt this story gives.

It's about the wrong message rather than the expedient plan.

Subject: RE: BS: UK Ministers to get their own aeroplane
From: GUEST,Dave
Date: 19 Nov 15 - 04:09 AM

It may be cheaper than chartering flights.

Its still a lot more expensive than flying economy class like the rest of us have to. Even if we had to fly them Business it would still save money.

Subject: RE: BS: UK Ministers to get their own aeroplane
From: GUEST,Dave
Date: 19 Nov 15 - 04:40 AM

Mind you, on second thoughts, pity the poor economy class passenger who ends up sitting next to Pickles.

Subject: RE: BS: UK Ministers to get their own aeroplane
From: banjoman
Date: 19 Nov 15 - 05:50 AM

Its a disgrace and only goes to show the reality of this government.

Subject: RE: BS: UK Ministers to get their own aeroplane
From: GUEST,Roger Knowles
Date: 19 Nov 15 - 06:23 AM

It goes to show that the RAF don't really need an extra refuelling aircraft, they actually would prefer to convert this asset to a luxury airliner for the quality!
I don't think the head of the Air Force was consulted about this.....comments?

Subject: RE: BS: UK Ministers to get their own aeroplane
From: GUEST,Pete from seven stars link
Date: 19 Nov 15 - 06:47 AM

Of course if we leave the EU, we won't have to fly them to Brussels , and save a lot more money .

Subject: RE: BS: UK Ministers to get their own aeroplane
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 19 Nov 15 - 07:18 AM

Hmm. But we'd have to have them doing a lot more flying to China and America instead. How's your geography, Pete? Is it as good as your science? 😂

Subject: RE: BS: UK Ministers to get their own aeroplane
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Nov 15 - 07:53 AM

Ministers travel EuroStar to Brussells.

The billions in costs you actually mean when advocating leaving The EU? You could give every junior minister a Learjet and still be quids in by remaining, as we will, in Europe. It's about the only thing I agree with Cameron on.

Chartering or this aircraft is, after the hoo ha over having an airforce 1 to show off, still better than any alternative. If I had been on the RyanAir flight when Cameron was on one to join his family on holiday, I would be nervous. Sadly, our politicians are prime terrorist targets, so sharing a flight with them isn't always ideal.

That said, I was sat across from Blair on a BA flight to JFK a few years ago. I actually wish he had been in First Class because people were brushing by me all the bloody time to feed him paperwork. I paid top dough to treat myself to business class and I reckon it would have been quieter in cattle class.

Subject: RE: BS: UK Ministers to get their own aeroplane
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Nov 15 - 09:06 AM

Proposals for a dedicated have been on and off since 1998. It would be cheaper than chartering but successive governments have bottled out over the up front cost.

I suspect that the current security issues are driving this as much as cost savings.

Subject: RE: BS: UK Ministers to get their own aeroplane
From: Kampervan
Date: 19 Nov 15 - 01:27 PM

'I suspect that the current security issues are driving this as much as cost savings.' says 'Guest' above.

Well it would certainly ensure that anyone wishing to harm our beloved leaders would know which aeroplane to target!

Subject: RE: BS: UK Ministers to get their own aeroplane
From: GUEST,Roger Knowles
Date: 19 Nov 15 - 07:44 PM

What beloved leaders?

Subject: RE: BS: UK Ministers to get their own aeroplane
From: GUEST,#
Date: 19 Nov 15 - 07:48 PM

May I suggest . . .

Subject: RE: BS: UK Ministers to get their own aeroplane
From: Kampervan
Date: 20 Nov 15 - 01:47 AM

When I said 'Beloved' I was attempting (unsuccessfully?) to be sarcastic.

Subject: RE: BS: UK Ministers to get their own aeroplane
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Nov 15 - 04:48 AM

Never attempt humour in a forum, somebody will always fail to get the point while somebody else will deliberately misunderstand.

Subject: RE: BS: UK Ministers to get their own aeroplane
From: Kampervan
Date: 20 Nov 15 - 05:38 AM

Fair point, I should know better!

Subject: RE: BS: UK Ministers to get their own aeroplane
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 20 Nov 15 - 05:45 AM

I have many scars, Kampervan... ;-)