Recession ? "Let them eat cake". And Fetch Me My Private Jet.

"And for my next trick, I'll peel this, and choke on the contents while slipping on the skin"

by johnofgwent

If you want any more evidence that the government has finally lost the plot and is making plans for a quick getaway with as much of the samily silver as they can stash in the swag bag, look no further than this page on the BBC News website.

The government is seeking to rent a private jet for the use of Foreign Secretary David Miliband. A tender for the hire of a charter aircraft was issued in February and will last two years, it is understood.

The ministerial code states that scheduled flights should be used unless deemed impractical.

The Foreign Office said its decision was aimed at securing value for money following changes in the availability of RAF flights for ministers. A spokesman said: "Unlike a lot of other countries we don't have a Foreign Office plane

In March last year, the government scrapped plans to buy two private jets to fly the prime minister and the Royal Family around the world, citing cost and environmental reasons.

So, with the country in the mess it is, and our Head of State and Prime Minister denied a private jet, what possible reason is there for this "spotty teen geek" lookalike to warrant such favour ? Indeed, please tell me why he deserves anything more than a budget standby seat courtesy of RyanAir ?

There are a goodly number who consider this jumped up little upstart unfit to run a whelk stall never mind an office of state. And if you want further provocation to reach for the sick-bag go read the depressing account penned by that "friend of the right wing" Rod Liddle in the Current Issue of The Spectator. Liddle frets that there is no-one of any "quality or gravitas" in the Labour Party to take over when the inevitable happens and Brown is toppled.

Don't worry, Rod. In twelve months time this problem wil cure itself. El Gordo stands more chance of winning his namesake the Spanish Lottery than he does of winning the next election. And you can be sure I'll be doing my bit to make sure of that.