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Can he deduct £160 from their subsidy?
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George Osbourne refuses to sit in Standard Class
- Thread starter 8ace
- Start date
beorhthelm
A. Virgo, Football Genius
- Jul 21, 2003
- 35,392
yes, so why would we believe this story? dont care who it is, seems odd you'd try sitting in First on a standard ticket, then have an aide try to blagg it, with the press around.
chimneys
Well-known member
- Jun 11, 2007
- 3,590
A complete non story!
The Virgin press release: "Rt Hon George Osborne, chancellor, was travelling on Virgin Trains' 15.11 Wilmslow to London Euston service this afternoon (October 19).
The chancellor, who was travelling in first-class accommodation, held a standard-class ticket. As soon as the train left Wilmslow, an aide went to find the train manager to explain the situation and arrange to pay for an upgrade. It was agreed that the chancellor would remain in first class and an amount of £189.50 was paid by the aide to cover the upgrade for Mr Osborne and his PA.
The situation was dealt with amicably between the train manager and George Osborne's aide. At no time was there a disagreement or a refusal to pay for the upgrade. Nor was there any discussion between the train manager and Mr Osborne."
The Virgin press release: "Rt Hon George Osborne, chancellor, was travelling on Virgin Trains' 15.11 Wilmslow to London Euston service this afternoon (October 19).
The chancellor, who was travelling in first-class accommodation, held a standard-class ticket. As soon as the train left Wilmslow, an aide went to find the train manager to explain the situation and arrange to pay for an upgrade. It was agreed that the chancellor would remain in first class and an amount of £189.50 was paid by the aide to cover the upgrade for Mr Osborne and his PA.
The situation was dealt with amicably between the train manager and George Osborne's aide. At no time was there a disagreement or a refusal to pay for the upgrade. Nor was there any discussion between the train manager and Mr Osborne."
That's one version. Here's another. This is what ITV reporter Rachel Townsend, who was on the train, said:
"George Osborne got on the train with aides at Wilmslow and went straight to first class. Then his aide approached the ticket collector right next to me. He said he is travelling with George and he has a standard ticket but can he remain in first class?
"The guard said no. The aide said Osborne couldn't possibly sit in standard class. The guard replied saying if he wants to stay it's £160.
"The aide said he couldn't pay and he couldn't really sit in standard. The guard refused to budge.
"The guard went on gathering tickets and later told me Osborne had agreed to cough up the £160."
chimneys
Well-known member
- Jun 11, 2007
- 3,590
Well she got the amount wrong for starters! And ""The aide said he couldn't pay". You really believe that?!
Pevenseagull
Anti-greed coalition
- Jul 20, 2003
- 19,769
He didn't refer to them as his 'aide', he called him his lickspittle fag and then ordered them to go and warm up the toilet seat
probably
probably
Last edited:
Pevenseagull
Anti-greed coalition
- Jul 20, 2003
- 19,769
^ didn't need editing
Norman Baker suck my lozenge
New member
You mean the guard made us pay £160,
Surely you don't expect Gideon to pay?
We're all in it together.
drew
Drew
Probably far closer to the mark than the Tory posting brigade would acknowledge.
I take it the whole Andrew Mitchell 'we're better than you' affair went right over your head.
Ernest
Stupid IDIOT
So why didn't he just buy first class tickets at Wilmslow where he boarded ?
beorhthelm
A. Virgo, Football Genius
- Jul 21, 2003
- 35,392
one would assume that the aide would buy the tickets and buggered it up. this is generally the point of an aide/PA (sans buggering it up)
Ernest
Stupid IDIOT
The oiks fault then ?
Don Quixote
Well-known member
- Nov 4, 2008
- 8,357
He is the Chancellor, maybe he should be allowed to sit in first class.
drew
Drew
Not sure but I thought I read somewhere that following the expense scandal, they can only claim back the standard fare so I suspect the aide/PA books tickets at that price. The issue here is not really about the price but more the intimation that he couldn't possibly sit in standard accommodation, ie that it is beneath them.
brightn'ove
cringe
should have booked with the train line, could have saved some dosh
BeardyChops
Active member
- Jan 24, 2009
- 461
Indeed, when he received the popular mandate, he gained our approval to act on our behalf and we have to trust him with making the best of the country's finances. It's just a consequence of the fact that a majority of us decided that his party were right to be elected to a position of power.
chimneys
Well-known member
- Jun 11, 2007
- 3,590
BeardyChops
Active member
- Jan 24, 2009
- 461
chimneys
Well-known member
- Jun 11, 2007
- 3,590
The issue is probably more that he is an extremely busy man, and to get a quiet area with a table in first class where he can get on with some work on all our behalfs was a more sensible choice than what was available in standard once on the train.
Not trying to stick up for him (dont particularly like him as think he is a wet behind the ears career politician), just applying same principles as would be for any private sector captain of industry!