this post was submitted on 31 Aug 2023
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UK Politics

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General Discussion for politics in the UK.
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[–] Oneeightnine 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I think the argument might be that we're a relatively small nation. Anywhere he needs to get to, or would likely need to get to could be accessed by road, or train.

[–] mannycalavera 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I think within reason yes. But if you can fit a meeting in Scotland plus a meeting on London in on the same day by air then why wouldn't you? Personally I want my PM to be working hard day and night not sitting in cars.

Of course if we had decent fast trains up and down and side to side for the country then it would be different. But we'll never have those 🤗.

[–] mondoman712@lemmy.ml 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

On Tuesday, Sunak used a helicopter for an engagement in Norwich, a trip of little more than 100 miles. In May, he flew to and from Southampton to visit a pharmacy for an NHS-related announcement, a 160-mile round trip where the train takes an hour and 15 minutes each way.

We have decently fast trains to a lot of places, and he is taking the helicopter for journeys that wouldn't be that long on the train. Plus you can actually do some work while riding the train, which is difficult in a car and pretty impossible in a helicopter.

[–] mannycalavera 2 points 1 year ago

That's a fair point. If he can take a fast train then cool. I'm not arguing for complete helicopter travel everywhere. Just that where it makes sense he should. Obviously where it doesn't he shouldn't. I don't think that's controversial.