Sure, something the size of the US Air Force One might be overkill for Tony Blair, but I would have hoped it wouldn't be hard to justify him having at least the same as the Prime Minister of Australia.
Posted on 06/05/2006 4:48:46 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher
BRITISH Prime Minister Tony Blair gave budget travellers a shock when he boarded their low-cost flight back to London at the end of a week-long Italian holiday.
Mr Blair and a seven-member entourage flew from Rome on Sunday on a commercial flight with no-frills carrier Ryanair, according to Rome's Ciampino airport.
The prime minister has drawn unwelcome attention from British newspapers in the past for using more costly state flights for holiday trips abroad.
Ryanair's press office could not immediately say how much Mr Blair paid for his ticket. The flight left the Rome airport 25 minutes late on Sunday following additional security checks.
Mr Blair had spent the previous week relaxing in Tuscany at the estate of an Italian prince. He had also briefly met with Italy's Prime Minister Romano Prodi and had an audience with the Pope just hours before boarding his flight to London.
Showing his thirst for budget travel had its limits, Mr Blair was met on the London airstrip by a limousine, according to the Daily Telegraph.
His office declined comment.
Damned if you do...
I'm not so sure I would want he or my President on the same commercial flight with me. At least not without some serious fighter jet escort.
I like Tony Blair, i am dreading his replacement however.
they should have should down Heathrow so he could get his hair cut.
Fear not, Gordon Brown is unlikely to change foreign policy much. Then after him come the Tories.
Regards, Ivan
This is RIDICULOUS!! Huge security risk.
I am functionally ignorant of UK politics and would appreciate if you could expand upon your last statement.
Agreed.
If I'd been a passenger on the flight, I'd have bolted off the plane and across the tarmac!
The Conservatives (Tories) are likely to win the next election - the poll data has been going their way for some time.
Regards, Ivan
thank you
I don't begrudge Blair or Bush the high cost of their security.
There is very little tolerance in the UK for ceremonial excess on the part of the prime minister.
Sure, something the size of the US Air Force One might be overkill for Tony Blair, but I would have hoped it wouldn't be hard to justify him having at least the same as the Prime Minister of Australia.
At one time the Prime Minister had access to military VIP aircraft - but given the choice between a clapped out VC-10 or L.1011 that will break down somewhere along the way and chartering a British Airways 777...
I do. They're nothing but politicians. I had a friend fly RyanAir last week after landing in Heathrow. Nothing wrong with their planes.
[...Mr Blair was met on the London airstrip by a limousine...]
A limousine? He should have rode his bike and showed the world he's doing more then his fair share to save us from global warming.
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