Has anyone heard about this suggestion of our Prime Minister with his own RAF Jet?

Geoff Hoon - the well known halfwit thinks that this would be a cost effective and justifiable expense. This is the same Geoff who was so outstanding in analysing WMD data extremely carefully before sending troops to Iraq and the same one who somehow managed to screw up all measurements of crime stats at the Home Office and now we are supposed to believe that this is a worthwhile/essential expense?

The main justification for such a thing is thought to be a security risk.

Well, lets try to put things into perspective, one of the most risky leaderships worldwide is in Afghanistan. There have been a number of attempts on Karzai's life, yet the British saw it fit to let him fly - at our invitation - on a antiquated Airbus, normally part of Ariana Afghan Airlines passenger fleet. He then stayed in a central London hotel. And some idiot released the telephone number of his mobile to a complete stranger who then phoned to express support for Osama Bin Laden.

Seems we view security in a strange way. Tony Bliar is of course a risk - but enough to justify his own jet? It isn't as if he is forced to queue at Heathrow or Gatwick terminal two or three like the rest of us.

edited by spook

He really does think of himself as a President doesn't he?

I don't think it's particularly unusual for a head of state to have the use of a private plane.

One think that I'd be interested to know is that although the plane would (off the top of my head) cost about £80m, how does this compare to the current costs of flying him on existing planes, with all the associated security concerns. I'm not sure of his current travel arrangements, but I'll bet it's not just a case of jumping on a scheduled flight like an ordinary person. So, what are the cost of chartering an existing plane, and the associated staff/security costs compared to the costs of this new one?

Originally posted by "t020"

He really does think of himself as a President doesn't he?

Exactly right....I was actually going to say the same thing.

Originally posted by "Mike"

I don't think it's particularly unusual for a head of state to have the use of a private plane.

One think that I'd be interested to know is that although the plane would (off the top of my head) cost about £80m, how does this compare to the current costs of flying him on existing planes, with all the associated security concerns. I'm not sure of his current travel arrangements, but I'll bet it's not just a case of jumping on a scheduled flight like an ordinary person. So, what are the cost of chartering an existing plane, and the associated staff/security costs compared to the costs of this new one?

Not entirely sure Mike. Although, I would imagine a new Blair Force one comes with added staff and secruity costs compared to a typical chartered jet.

All world leaders have their own private jets, when you are a prime minister it makes good sense to be able to use your own aircraft, especially in times of world crisis and it being necessary to leave at a moments notice.

He is indeed very brave to fly as much as he does, given the threat from the various terrorist organisations around the world, who would love to shoot him down with a shoulder mounted missile if they could.

Can't he share the ones the Queen uses?

Why not ask him?

Originally posted by "halevan"

All world leaders have their own private jets, when you are a prime minister it makes good sense to be able to use your own aircraft, especially in times of world crisis and it being necessary to leave at a moments notice.

He is indeed very brave to fly as much as he does, given the threat from the various terrorist organisations around the world, who would love to shoot him down with a shoulder mounted missile if they could.

I should imagine there might be a fair few non terrorists here who might want him permanently disposed of.

Originally posted by "Lickszz"

All world leaders have their own private jets, when you are a prime minister it makes good sense to be able to use your own aircraft, especially in times of world crisis and it being necessary to leave at a moments notice.

He is indeed very brave to fly as much as he does, given the threat from the various terrorist organisations around the world, who would love to shoot him down with a shoulder mounted missile if they could.

I should imagine there might be a fair few non terrorists here who might want him permanently disposed of.

Probably about one hundreth of the amount of people who were glad to see the back of thatcher. Mind, they didn't want her dead, just back in her dad's corner shop. You don't want her back do you?

Originally posted by "maxt"

All world leaders have their own private jets, when you are a prime minister it makes good sense to be able to use your own aircraft, especially in times of world crisis and it being necessary to leave at a moments notice.

He is indeed very brave to fly as much as he does, given the threat from the various terrorist organisations around the world, who would love to shoot him down with a shoulder mounted missile if they could.

I should imagine there might be a fair few non terrorists here who might want him permanently disposed of.

Probably about one hundreth of the amount of people who were glad to see the back of thatcher. Mind, they didn't want her dead, just back in her dad's corner shop. You don't want her back do you?

In a word NO.


It's just I think Bliar is showing that vile side of himself. He knows it is touch and go at the next general election, so he will put a spiteful spanner in the works of a once proud nation before he is ousted. He dreams of sitting pretty in the Euro Parliment some years down the line.

'If I can't have it, no-one will' The man is a tyrant. A megalomaniac and deludes himself. He treats the electorate as dumb insolent dunderheads who know nothing.

His main preoccupation IMO is feathering his own nest, and that at whatever expense is necessary. Tell me that Britain is running as a free nation and I will laugh.

No control over those entrusted to fairly distribute the lottery funds to worthwhile causes.

Bureaucracy is slowly strangling us, the wrong section of society is paying the bulk of taxes.

Old people paying through the nose for that which all their lives they have had to contibute to, their homes confiscated and youngsters (in England) paying for that which HE at his university, got for free.

Go Blair, we will be well rid.

You could be right but that doesn't include me!!!

Perhaps you would prefer the Tories back in power EH.
Remember the seventeen years of conservative misrule?
The cut backs, the skimping, the dirty tricks on the electorate, the vile corruption, the wasted taxpayers money, the high handed "Holier than thou" attitude towards the people of this country.

The cynical sneers of the last governments ministers whenever the made a speech, the arrogant manner when they pulled yet another underhand ploy on the ones who elected them, saying it was for our own good.

Thanks, but no thanks.

A life long Labour supporter.

Lower taxes, less crime, less problems with asylum seekers, lower house prices, and an economy that was almost in no debt at all. Now Brown has borrowed massive amounts and put us back in debt again. Remember the state of the economy left by Labour the last time they were in power in the 70s? Also, Blairs stealth taxes, such as council tax and national insurance rises, where are they all going? I see spending increasing in the NHS and education, but I don't see any improvement in the services to match.

Originally posted by halevan
You could be right but that doesn't include me!!!

I take it you didn't attend the Conservative party conference then?

Originally posted by halevan
Perhaps you would prefer the Tories back in power EH.
Remember the seventeen years of conservative misrule?
The cut backs, the skimping, the dirty tricks on the electorate, the vile corruption, the wasted taxpayers money, the high handed "Holier than thou" attitude towards the people of this country.

The cynical sneers of the last governments ministers whenever the made a speech, the arrogant manner when they pulled yet another underhand ploy on the ones who elected them, saying it was for our own good.

Thanks, but no thanks.

A life long Labour supporter.


In a word NO.

What's with the unchecked agression? Is it because I missed the R out of contribute?

Seriously though, I am a labour supporter just like you believe it or not, it's just I feel all politicians should stand up and be counted especially those in power. I am confused by some of Bliar's decisions and I don't have confidence in Bliar and half of his cabinet

I look forward to that p*ss artist John Reid having a REAL job at last. He is in line for some hot and jagged flack now that he is in the health job.

And I could have jumped for joy when I heard that Helen Liddle was out of government...what a cow!

Peter Hain....leader of the house! Everything now stops for debates on Europe.

Opposition motions for debate denied.

Falkoner...The greatest liar since Billy Liar. What a shower!

Oh and Irvine walks away with his present from Blair. The fattest pension ever to walk out of the lords. 2.4 million will buy a lot of Claret, no lining up at the Post Office every week for him. Lets look realistially though, Putting Reid..a Scot, with a Scotish constituency in charge of the ENGLISH health service, is like putting Shipman in charge of old folks homes. ;)

I agree with much of what you say Licszz,










I agree with much of what you say Licszz, just because we vote for them doesn't mean to say we cannot criticise them for their faults. some of these ministers have got brilliant brains, but don't seem to have much common sense.

Can't he share the ones the Queen uses?
Elton's or Her Maj? :hihi:

I think it's a good idea, to be honest. I'm guessing it would be far cheaper for the government to fly Blair around in an RAF plane than chartering a British Airways plane and it's crew which they currently do.

Elton's or Her Maj? :hihi:

You dragged out a three year old thread for that?! :)

You dragged out a three year old thread for that?! :)
No, I dragged it out to see if anyone would notice and you win first prize! :hihi:

You don't want her back do you?

If it was between Bliar and Thatcher, Thatcher would be preferable:thumbsup: (lesser of two evils).

Remember the seventeen years of conservative misrule?
The cut backs, the skimping, the dirty tricks on the electorate, the vile corruption, the wasted taxpayers money, the high handed "Holier than thou" attitude towards the people of this country.

The cynical sneers of the last governments ministers whenever the made a speech, the arrogant manner when they pulled yet another underhand ploy on the ones who elected them, saying it was for our own good.

Seems like you've also described the current lot of morons too:thumbsup:.