The Reds are about the only contact the Great Unwashed has with the RAF; take that away and there'd be absolutely no presence in the public eye, apart from ever more TV news items about sad repatriations from Bliar's Afghanistani meat grinder...
It's more important than ever that the RAFAT should present a 'Business as usual' front to the GenPub, so would all the Uriah Heap handwringing defeatists, whingeing baldricks and others please sod off and moan elsewhere.
Hear hear. The Reds, along with the other RAF airshow performers, do at least remind the general public that we actually have an Air Force.
I think it's more important that they do this and personnel are given the opportunity to meet with the general public and engage with them at airshows rather than just withdraw in to a hole to make a point of some kind.
Scrapping The Reds would indeed have a hugely negative impact with the GP - but possibly not in the way that those of you advocating might think.