Personally as he was going on holiday I do not think he should commandeer a plane or use the Queen's flight I know there are security issues but to travel commerical I think for a holiday is correct. Why should I as a British tax payer pay for him to charter a plane for a holiday if he paid fine but I do not see that happening.
I would only recommend that he has an airplane for defensive communication in the event of a nuclear attack on the UK. The UK has nuclear weapons, but the deterrence factor drops significantly if potential enemies realize that it would be easy to knock out all levels of executive command. A PM or President is always on the job, whether they are visiting Miami for a holiday or visiting Crawford, Texas for a holiday. An executive aircraft should always be ready to put them in a safe place and in communication with the military.
Additionally, what if there was a short notice request to attack a terrorist camp (or other important target) somewhere that required PM permission? How would Blair have been able to respond on a commercial flight? With a airplane phone? How would he be able to be properly briefed?
These are the reasons that the US has executive aircraft for the President, Vice President, and the Secretary of Defense.
(Did I say that???)
I find it kind of surprising that the RAF has the Queen's Flight designated for the UK's titular head of state, but not an aircraft dedicated to the actual executive head of the government. I understand your viewpoint, but with the UK being a nucular(tm GWB) nation, I'm surprised that he doesn't have a dedicated aircraft, for communications purposes if nothing else.
I thought I'd read a while back that the RAF was purchasing a couple of Boeing Business Jets--extended-range 737-700Ws with all the expected touches in the interior--but I may be confusing that with the RAAF. I'm pretty sure the Aussies bought at least one BBJ for long-range travel.
Oh, is the Queen's Flight still using those old Vickers VC-10s?
}:-)4
Too bad American's don't think as matter-of-factly, snugs. If we did perhaps Hillary Clinton wouldn't be running all over the place with Secret Service because she is a former First Lady of the USA...biggest waste of taxpayers money I can think of. Even Bill shouldn't get it now he is no longer President (IMO) or any of the other living ex-Presidents.
Personally, I would think providing extra security to the PM would be paramount in this time of war. Ever hear of the saying: "penny wise and pound foolish"?