THERE was a great deal of pessimism in response to the news that the Tory Government was planning to spend just shy of £1m to repaint Boris Johnson’s jet with Union flag colours.
Granted, the announcement, coming amid a deadly pandemic and severe economic downturn, could have been timed more sensitively.
But what better way to get taxpayers on side than to show them what their money has been spaffed up the wall on, to borrow a phrase from the Prime Minister.
Johnson had previously complained about the grey colour of the RAF Voyager, a military plane used by Westminster chiefs and royal family members, and called for a “Brexit plane” to promote the Government’s vision of a “global Britain”.
The Tory leader now has his wish, as part of a bargain £900,000 renovation.
READ MORE: Lord claims £1m fee to paint Boris Johnson's plane is 'tremendous value'
Despite the sound reasoning behind the plan, the UK public weren’t totally thrilled when they first got a glimpse of the dolled-up Brexit jet.
One Twitter user wrote: "Over 60,000 people have died and millions are in poverty. But hey, swank is the new successful, right?"
Another commented: "You do know that our national debt now exceeds our GDP? You are aware that 80% of councils face bankruptcy by the end of the pandemic and we're facing the deepest recession since ww2? You know all this right? And you celebrate this £900k paint job? Could you be more out of touch?"
Their anger was compounded when some onlookers pointed out that the Union flag appears to have been painted on upside down.
might need to spend another million because it looks like it's the wrong way round here! pic.twitter.com/1aytj09bVL
— Tom (@PoliticalTom2) June 24, 2020
As if this weren’t already an ridiculous national embarrassment, the flag’s upside down. https://t.co/icUCEGMiYn
— Sharon O'Dea (@sharonodea) June 24, 2020
Perhaps seeing the plane in flight would get people excited about the physical manifestation of the Government’s Brexit delusion?
It didn’t seem to do the trick either.
They should have called it Con Air.
— Robin Flavell (@RobinFlavell) June 25, 2020
Sorry, this cost 900k? I was expecting a Geri Haliwell dress, but on a plane https://t.co/tUnR6VdiZU
— •𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗔• (@agirlcalledlina) June 25, 2020
£900k and it... it just looks like a BA plane 🤷🏻♀️ https://t.co/cEC3YJzGWq
— Sophie Morris (@itssophiemorris) June 25, 2020
Some Scottish independence supporters at least had something approaching praise for the paint job…
I see they left the tabs on the the blue vinyl for when Scotland leaves. Good decision.
— SaneTandroo (@SaneTandroo) June 25, 2020
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel