Red Arrows safe from cutbacks (From Bournemouth Echo)
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Red Arrows safe from cutbacks
8:29am Friday 8th February 2013 in News
FLYING fans are breathing a sigh of relief after the Government assured an MP that the Red Arrows would not be axed in defence cuts.
As reported in the Daily Echo on Monday, national newspaper reports at the weekend claimed that the team was not safe from further spending cutbacks.
But Edward Leigh, MP for Gainsborough, close to the Arrow’s Lincolnshire base, has been reassured by Armed Forces Minister Andrew Robathan that the team – which is the major attraction at Bournemouth Air Festival – would not be part of money-saving plans.
Mr Leigh had tabled a question to the House of Commons over the issue.
Terry Trevett, chairman of Bournemouth Red Arrows Association, said: “The news that the Red Arrows are not to be part of major cutbacks this year will be welcomed not only by myself and the people of Bournemouth, but by the country.
“I’m sure the show organisers, event organisers and many other people who have requested fly-pasts and displays will be overjoyed.”
Comments(12)
John T
says...
10:07am Fri 8 Feb 13
This, despite the fact that the £10 million or more that the Red Arrows cost the taxpayer would be better spent equipping our troops in the front line than on 'boys with OUR toys'!
The threat of axing the Red Arrows was always ever only a populist propaganda stunt.
Hessenford
says...
10:31am Fri 8 Feb 13
John T wrote:The Reds can be equipped for operational duty very quickly, it's not as though they are formed just for circus events as you put it, they also bring in a lot of money to the economy every year, what would any air show be without the Reds in attendance.
Did anybody really expect that the 'posh boys' in Government would cut back on bread and circuses (or panem et circusem as Boris would tell you) for the masses?
This, despite the fact that the £10 million or more that the Red Arrows cost the taxpayer would be better spent equipping our troops in the front line than on 'boys with OUR toys'!
The threat of axing the Red Arrows was always ever only a populist propaganda stunt.
Considering all the other expenses to the tax payer that give very little in return I would say they are good value for money.
If you want savings for this country then campaign for the excessive millions that are poured overseas which help countries to survive even though they have their own nuclear missile program.
The Renegade Master
says...
10:36am Fri 8 Feb 13
Letcommonsenseprevail
says...
3:35pm Sat 9 Feb 13
Hessenford wrote:No they can't. The 'can be made combat ready' argument held water 20 years ago, but not now. The aircraft are too old. 10 million a year buys an awful lot of bullets, radios, bandages, stretchers, medical supplies, etc, etc.
John T wrote:The Reds can be equipped for operational duty very quickly, it's not as though they are formed just for circus events as you put it, they also bring in a lot of money to the economy every year, what would any air show be without the Reds in attendance.
Did anybody really expect that the 'posh boys' in Government would cut back on bread and circuses (or panem et circusem as Boris would tell you) for the masses?
This, despite the fact that the £10 million or more that the Red Arrows cost the taxpayer would be better spent equipping our troops in the front line than on 'boys with OUR toys'!
The threat of axing the Red Arrows was always ever only a populist propaganda stunt.
Considering all the other expenses to the tax payer that give very little in return I would say they are good value for money.
If you want savings for this country then campaign for the excessive millions that are poured overseas which help countries to survive even though they have their own nuclear missile program.
I hope the anorak brigade think watching these over-priced fireworks is better than spending money on the boys at front line who face bullets, roadside bombs and suicide bombers on a daily basis.....
Letcommonsenseprevail
says...
3:36pm Sat 9 Feb 13
Hessenford wrote:Where? I haven't seen any.
A little common sense at last.
Letcommonsenseprevail
says...
3:37pm Sat 9 Feb 13
The Renegade Master wrote:They are not more than an air display team. That's because they're an air display team.
The Red Arrows are more than just an air display team. They are a national icon and known worldwide. Pulling the plug on them would have been utter lunacy.
nosuchluck54
says...
4:15pm Sat 9 Feb 13
Hessenford wrote:What utter nonsense! Can you imagine what operational duties they are fit for?
John T wrote:The Reds can be equipped for operational duty very quickly, it's not as though they are formed just for circus events as you put it, they also bring in a lot of money to the economy every year, what would any air show be without the Reds in attendance.
Did anybody really expect that the 'posh boys' in Government would cut back on bread and circuses (or panem et circusem as Boris would tell you) for the masses?
This, despite the fact that the £10 million or more that the Red Arrows cost the taxpayer would be better spent equipping our troops in the front line than on 'boys with OUR toys'!
The threat of axing the Red Arrows was always ever only a populist propaganda stunt.
Considering all the other expenses to the tax payer that give very little in return I would say they are good value for money.
If you want savings for this country then campaign for the excessive millions that are poured overseas which help countries to survive even though they have their own nuclear missile program.
retry69
says...
4:22pm Sat 9 Feb 13
Hessenford
says...
11:36pm Sat 9 Feb 13
LetcommonsenseprevaiCertainly not from you.
l wrote:
Hessenford wrote:Where? I haven't seen any.
A little common sense at last.
Hessenford
says...
11:37pm Sat 9 Feb 13
nosuchluck54 wrote:Not the planes you dipstick.
Hessenford wrote:What utter nonsense! Can you imagine what operational duties they are fit for?
John T wrote:The Reds can be equipped for operational duty very quickly, it's not as though they are formed just for circus events as you put it, they also bring in a lot of money to the economy every year, what would any air show be without the Reds in attendance.
Did anybody really expect that the 'posh boys' in Government would cut back on bread and circuses (or panem et circusem as Boris would tell you) for the masses?
This, despite the fact that the £10 million or more that the Red Arrows cost the taxpayer would be better spent equipping our troops in the front line than on 'boys with OUR toys'!
The threat of axing the Red Arrows was always ever only a populist propaganda stunt.
Considering all the other expenses to the tax payer that give very little in return I would say they are good value for money.
If you want savings for this country then campaign for the excessive millions that are poured overseas which help countries to survive even though they have their own nuclear missile program.
retry69
says...
8:06am Sun 10 Feb 13
Hessenford wrote:Dont take it to heart NSL54 this commenter seems to be calling anyone who disagrees a dipstick
nosuchluck54 wrote:Not the planes you dipstick.
Hessenford wrote:What utter nonsense! Can you imagine what operational duties they are fit for?
John T wrote:The Reds can be equipped for operational duty very quickly, it's not as though they are formed just for circus events as you put it, they also bring in a lot of money to the economy every year, what would any air show be without the Reds in attendance.
Did anybody really expect that the 'posh boys' in Government would cut back on bread and circuses (or panem et circusem as Boris would tell you) for the masses?
This, despite the fact that the £10 million or more that the Red Arrows cost the taxpayer would be better spent equipping our troops in the front line than on 'boys with OUR toys'!
The threat of axing the Red Arrows was always ever only a populist propaganda stunt.
Considering all the other expenses to the tax payer that give very little in return I would say they are good value for money.
If you want savings for this country then campaign for the excessive millions that are poured overseas which help countries to survive even though they have their own nuclear missile program.
Hessenford says...
8:35am Fri 8 Feb 13