Blair to fly on Concorde

[simbad3000]

Tony Blair's likely use of Concorde for his next diplomatic mission has been welcomed by British Airways.

The prime minister is set to charter one of the supersonic jets on the first day of commercial services since flights were halted in the aftermath of last year's crash.

Downing Street has said it is "very likely" Mr Blair will travel on a privately chartered Concorde when he heads for America for talks with President Bush next week.

He is expected to leave next Wednesday, hours after the first commercial Concorde flight since the break in service enforced after the fatal Paris crash last July.

From BBC.

[WhiteSail]

I would have thought a push bike, dingy and a paddle would have been more suitable in the present climate!

[YakYak]

First decision the wobble-neck carnival clown has made in a long time that I agree with.

Should be more of it!

Your Majesty, what about a spot of flag waving in these tricky times?
I have the honour to remain, etc etc etc.......

Well Done, Birdseed!

[hassel]

So I guess that the Twin Engined BLAIR FORCE ONE just wasn't good enough. :mad: :mad: :mad:

[expedite_climb]

So that's what i pay my 40% tax for then ! :confused:

[mach2moose]

expedite climb

Last time he flew on the old girl, I was under the impression that the press paid for the charter, thereby costing HMG ( i.e. the taxpayer) nothing.

[Human Factor]

I guess this means that HMG won't let BA go bust. Can't imagaine Blair Force One being chartered from Air France!! :D

[Roobarb]

One of these days, you Daily Mail reading die-hard Tories will realise that the reason that Mr Blair is Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is that he was duly elected (twice) by the people of this fair nation to represent us. Your irrational distaste for the man appears to cloud your judgement to the important nature of this trip.

- The reinstatement of the supersonic link between London and New York is of great symbolic importance to both countries. Not only does it send a very clear message of ‘business as usual’, but as Mayor Giuliani has said recently, the arrival of Concorde is of great significance to the people of New York as a big step back to ‘normalcy’.

- The fact that Mr Blair is using Concorde is a firm statement of support for the British travel industry. A spokesman for the Association of British Travel Agents recently said that the relaunch of Concorde would be an important symbolic boost for the beleaguered trade.

- When the Prime Minister has a such a busy schedule of international diplomacy, taking the fastest route possible between meetings is an efficient use of his time and our money – ensuring that he maximises the opportunities to do what he’s paid for.

- I for one, am very proud of this country, and the sight of the British Prime Minister arriving in this masterpiece of British engineering is a measure of our importance on the World stage.

Some of you may wish to see Mr Blair going around on a bicycle, or driving around in a Kia, but as the Premier of this great nation he is representing YOU and ME. I think that the Prime Minister should travel in appropriate dignity.

And another thing! No, I didn’t vote for him, but I accept the will of the people as democratically expressed. Perhaps some others might wish to think on that.
http://www.sausages.demon.co.uk/ian/classic/thumbs/roobarb.gif

[Unwell_Raptor]

Spot on Roobarb! Funny, isn't it, that Blair haters always assume that they are in a majority, when TB has had two landslide election wins?

I think you are right; too much time spent reading the Daily Mail rots the brain.

[Steep Approach]

Agree with everythin you say Roobarb...

EXCEPT the first paragraph ..ONLY 25% of the population voted for Blair this time round. That explains the numbers of Blair haters.


"Yes George ..How High?"

[Wedge]

Yeah spot on Roobarb, and I wonder how many of the above to take the Daily Mail! All of the Blair haters I expect.

True he did not have a majority of the population voting for him but nor did Thatcher for three elections but the nation we had to endure 11 years of misguided Thatcherism and the nonsense of 'trickledown' economics. Plus one election win which was only possible by sending hundreds of loyal British servicemen to death in the Falklands.

Blair is a moderate (unlike Thatcher) and we are in much safer hands with him in charge.

[Unwell_Raptor]

Sorry, SA, that won't wash. Every adult had the opportunity to vote. Enough of the people who chose to vote chose a Labour candidate - result a Blair Government, (twice).

You could apply your mathematical logic to most recent governments, but the fact remains that you either vote or you don't, and the party that does best in the polls forms the government.

Or do you prefer the North Korean system?

One man- one vote.

And the man with the vote is called.........

[mainfrog2]

I'm no TB fan and definitely didn't vote for him at the last election but I think the way he has conducted himself in the world over the last two months has been very impressive. Visiting lots of countries and world leaders and hopefully showing a firm but more balanced face where there seems to be a lot of headless chickens at the moment.

[Flying Kiwi]

Excellent. At least The Flying Gunman will get a free ride on Concorde :D

[HugMonster]

My own opinion (FWIW) is that Giuliani and Blair have shown far more intelligence, sensitivity, courage and common sense that G Dubya has.

I agree wholeheartedly with Rhoobarb's analysis of why Blair needs to travel on Concorde.

And, let's face it, however he travelled he would get the Daily Mail tendency sneering at him.

"Queen's Flight? Who does he think he is, spending our taxes like that?"

"Scheduled Flight? Is he trying to show he's a man of the people? How many seats in First will get blocked off for him, and at our expense?"

"Private chartered jet? Does he think he's some sort of business mogul? Why can't he go scheduled?"

Get a life, people. He's representing you and me, as well as everything this country stands for. For one, I'm proud he's using a fine emblem of this country and its achievements, advertising Concorde's return to service (welcome back, we missed you), and showing everyone worldwide we're still open for business.

[LatviaCalling]

That's a good one Roobarb. With you all the way!
Emil (LatviaCalling)
:)

[sirwa69]

Apparently when the press asked him if he was using Concorde to show his confidence in it and fly the flag he responded "No! It's more simple than that, I feel the need, the need for speed!"

Go Tone Go :D :D :D

[swashplate]

Amazed to see that anyone on this BB reads that rag..... :eek:

Concorde.....say no more!!! :cool:


...doesn't hover though!!!... :D :D :D

[ 05 November 2001: Message edited by: swashplate ]

[tony draper]

Think of the money it will save, they just drop him off in Egypt, and he can walk across the Red Sea to the rest of the middle east. ;)

[ShyTorque]

Concorde is, as we all know, faster than a speeding bullet. That's probably why the need for speed was felt.

I am also one man, one vote and one voice. That's what this site is about and our democracy is why we are allowed to write controversial here. It's our democratic right to voice our individual opinion. The current situation is all about us continuing to be free to do so.

I also didn't vote for B.liar and personally don't generally rate him very highly. However he is doing his best in these difficult times and it is far better for B.liar to be calling the shots than B.laden....

Why do some contributors get so upset if someone says something they don't agree with? :confused:

[ShotOne]

I didn't vote for him either but I feel he is doing a pretty good job with the present crisis so far.

More importantly, whatever we think of him, it does none of us any good to have him travel by dinghy and push bike as someone suggested. Flying Concorde sends all the right messages -go for it Tony!