George Osborne in first class with standard ticket?

[wintonian]

I know the exact facts of this story as I was on this train but I will not be discussing any details. Suffice to say the story holds truth but has seen various twists to the actual events. Be careful what you read and believe.

Wow I wish I was allowed to tell you the exact story but I'm not allowed to disclose details.

I worked that train and have full knowledge of it all. However I can not give you any details.

There is no smoke without fire tho....

So you keep saying and that maybe so. Sorry but "I know something you don't" comes across as a little childish and I'm not sure what it adds to the discussion if you can't discuss it.

Apologies if I'm coming across a little craggy.

 

[Eagle]

However I can not give you any details.

Can you give details as to why you can't give details though? Why aren't you allowed to say?

 

[Tomonthetrain]

Can you give details as to why you can't give details though? Why aren't you allowed to say?

Maybe he was the tm/other on board staff and his bosses may have told him (possibly) not to reveal what happened exactly to media or forums etc?

 

[jon0844]

Can you give details as to why you can't give details though? Why aren't you allowed to say?

Someone contact Virgin and say the person who worked the train is posting on the net that there's more to the story than reported. Simple!

 

[krisk]

I am aware of what can and can't be discussed. But as someone mentioned earlier it isn't adding anything to the discussion.

Question is would it be a risk for a top end politician in standard class on any train if they were unpopular?

 

[Butts]

I am aware of what can and can't be discussed. But as someone mentioned earlier it isn't adding anything to the discussion.

Question is would it be a risk for a top end politician in standard class on any train if they were unpopular?

If all MP's were travelling together there wouldn't be room on the Train using this criteria - (unless it was an 11 car all 1st Class)

 

[jon0844]

I am aware of what can and can't be discussed. But as someone mentioned earlier it isn't adding anything to the discussion.

Question is would it be a risk for a top end politician in standard class on any train if they were unpopular?

But they had standard class tickets, as you'd have to know if you worked the train. Does that not imply they do travel in standard normally?

Therefore someone must have decided it's not a security risk.

 

[krisk]

We're going off topic here a little bit

Find it interesting tho as does it put him at risk when he is too many the face of the cuts so to speak. Look at the booing at the Olympics for example

 

[Tomonthetrain]

Hardly. This is the United Kingdom, has no-one any pride left?

The railways should be obliged to provide ticketless first class travel to all MPs at all times. As an essential part of being a railway, a public service, in the first place. So that they may better represent the people.

Yes, including members of the House of Lords. And the Lords Spiritual.
This is Britain for gosh sakes, not some tin pot country.

Surely though the Tories are pumping out this We're all in this together nonsense they should practice what they preach and set an example to the other parties. Of course they are just puppets for the bankers whilst trying to avoid us common (to use a word the Honorable Member from Sutton Coldfield likes using) plebs

 

[jimm]

I worked that train and have full knowledge of it all.

but since you say you can't say, wouldn't it just have been better to just say nothing here in the first place instead?

You are spot on when you say you're not adding anything to the discussion.

 

[Flamingo]

If you did work the train, it'll be easy enough for anybody from your management team to work out who you are now. What is Virgin's online data policy? I know I'd be in breach of FGW's by now if I was you...

 

[transmanche]

but since you say you can't say, wouldn't it just have been better to just say nothing here in the first place instead?

Aye. To be blunt, either put up... or shut up.

 

[krisk]

Fair point...

 

[Oswyntail]

Surely though the Tories are pumping out this We're all in this together nonsense they should practice what they preach and set an example to the other parties. Of course they are just puppets for the bankers whilst trying to avoid us common (to use a word the Honorable Member from Sutton Coldfield likes using) plebs

Does this get the prize for the post with most ridiculous "political" (i.e. uncritically swallowed) cliches per line?

 

[Realfish]

....common (to use a word the Honorable Member from Sutton Coldfield likes using) plebs

Allegedly

It is interesting that another MP has now said that first class travel can be used if, by booking in advance on specific trains, it can be shown to be cheaper than the standard ticket.

This was not the rule my Govt Dept implemented. We was an absolute ban on first class travel - even if it was more expensive to go standard (and from time to time first in VT was cheaper - even when compared with standard advances) .

People who I met in meetings from other Depts told me that they were allowed to buy the cheaper first class tickets...but had to sit in standard. Presumably the TM would be entitled to move them back to their booked accomodation.

 

[calc7]

Maybe the Liverpool Stns - London Terminals First Class Off-Peak Single retailing at £148.50 and suitable for the Chancellor's route would have been met with less of a grumble.

 

[Morden Via CHX]

I am aware of what can and can't be discussed. But as someone mentioned earlier it isn't adding anything to the discussion.

Question is would it be a risk for a top end politician in standard class on any train if they were unpopular?

What so standard class customers are going to cause trouble but first class customers won't? What about people on first class advances who would normally travel standard but found a cheap ticket?

 

[sheff1]

While I agree that it is ridiculous that the Chancellor should be expected to travel standard class.

Why is it ridculous ?

Sensible arrangements would be that Standard class fares are reimbursed (by 'the taxpayer'). If the Chancellor, or any other politician, wishes to travel first class they then pay the difference out of their own pocket. Similar arrangements apply in many occupations.

 

[Goatboy]

Why is it ridculous ?

Sensible arrangements would be that Standard class fares are reimbursed (by 'the taxpayer'). If the Chancellor, or any other politician, wishes to travel first class they then pay the difference out of their own pocket. Similar arrangements apply in many occupations.

This is the arrangement - there is a similarly ridicluos headline in todays Telegraph about an 'MP First Class loophole' which states that they are allowed to claim for the full Anytime Standard Class fare only - but may use a First Advance if its cheaper. Cue the papers whinging about them using a 'loophole' by expensing cheap First Advance tickets

 

[Butts]

This is the arrangement - there is a similarly ridicluos headline in todays Telegraph about an 'MP First Class loophole' which states that they are allowed to claim for the full Anytime Standard Class fare only - but may use a First Advance if its cheaper. Cue the papers whinging about them using a 'loophole' by expensing cheap First Advance tickets

Of course all "Telegraph" journalists travel 2nd Class
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Why is it ridculous ?

Sensible arrangements would be that Standard class fares are reimbursed (by 'the taxpayer'). If the Chancellor, or any other politician, wishes to travel first class they then pay the difference out of their own pocket. Similar arrangements apply in many occupations.

I disagree The Chancellor of the Exchequer should travel 1st Class.

 

[sheff1]

This is the arrangement..

I am glad to hear it.

[/size]
I disagree The Chancellor of the Exchequer should travel 1st Class.

Nothing to stop him travelling first class.

 

[SS4]

I disagree The Chancellor of the Exchequer should travel 1st Class.

So he (and it is invariably 'he') should travel first or shouldn't he? Punctuation goes a long way

Had he sat in standard he'd have probably taken some flak but woe betide our politicians are seen to defend their policies and actions in front of the public instead of behind a television screen or defended by armed police. Perhaps his buddies who can afford to stump up the £5,000 to stand for police commissioner (thus making a mockery of anybody being able to apply) can all have a good laugh at our expense.

 

[Oswyntail]

So he (and it is invariably 'he') should travel first or shouldn't he? Punctuation goes a long way

Had he sat in standard he'd have probably taken some flak but woe betide our politicians are seen to defend their policies and actions in front of the public instead of behind a television screen or defended by armed police. Perhaps his buddies who can afford to stump up the £5,000 to stand for police commissioner (thus making a mockery of anybody being able to apply) can all have a good laugh at our expense.

And this post takes the prize for introducing items of such irrelevance I am tempted to offer a small prize to anyone who can make a plausible connection (other than wishing to bash Tories for the fun of it)

 

[Butts]

So he (and it is invariably 'he') should travel first or shouldn't he? Punctuation goes a long way

Had he sat in standard he'd have probably taken some flak but woe betide our politicians are seen to defend their policies and actions in front of the public instead of behind a television screen or defended by armed police. Perhaps his buddies who can afford to stump up the £5,000 to stand for police commissioner (thus making a mockery of anybody being able to apply) can all have a good laugh at our expense.

Do you include John Prescot as one of Osbornes buddies ?

 

[jon0844]

We don't know that George Osborne hadn't been in standard on the trip up and wouldn't have been so had he got the intended train with the seat reservations in standard, so this nonsense about standard 'being beneath him' or even the aide saying he couldn't possibly sit in standard (in front of other passengers, which would be a pretty dumb thing to say unless deliberately wanting to cause a storm) seems like nothing more than that; nonsense.

I can perhaps believe the aide asked the guard/TM if he could sit in first class as they had no seat reservations on this train (As Flamingo says, I am sure people ask every day for various reasons - and in some cases, they might be allowed and for others, they're not). I can even imagine her saying he couldn't sit in standard, on account of there being no room (or a table seat that they wanted to actually work - and not merely kick back watching a film or something). I just don't imagine the aide would be silly enough to say anything to get him, or the entire party, in trouble - at least if the aide wanted to keep their job.

Perhaps the journalist misheard, or deliberately twisted what was said? I can also accept that someone might not realise how much it costs to upgrade and could argue about the cost, even if they then go ahead and pay. I doubt staff see that as being abusive; I know I've gasped and said 'how much?' when buying a train ticket and being shocked at the price. It's not an arrestable offence!

The fact is, in any case, it wasn't George Osborne who said anything about not wanting to be in standard (or not being able to be in standard because all people in standard are scum and should kneel down and worship the ground he walks on) and the train staff have said there was no argument.

It means that while SS4 has been attacking the Tories for as long as I can remember, this isn't anything to use against the party. Nor, for that matter, is it worth attacking members of other parties for the same thing. The video showing that Ed Miliband did the same, even removing the antimacassars for the cameras, is probably why Labour should keep quiet - especially after the revelation that significantly more Labour MPs use first than Tories.

However, even though it's 'my money' I would not argue with MPs travelling in first class when working. They don't need to do so when commuting to/from work, so a first class season ticket I wouldn't agree with. Given their salaries, I am not going to worry about a few hundred quid here and there for them to be productive while travelling.

 

[Butts]

We don't know that George Osborne hadn't been in standard on the trip up and wouldn't have been so had he got the intended train with the seat reservations in standard, so this nonsense about standard 'being beneath him' or even the aide saying he couldn't possibly sit in standard (in front of other passengers, which would be a pretty dumb thing to say unless deliberately wanting to cause a storm) seems like nothing more than that; nonsense.

I can perhaps believe the aide asked the guard/TM if he could sit in first class as they had no seat reservations on this train. I can even imagine her saying he couldn't sit in standard, on account of there being no room (or a table seat). I just don't imagine the aide would be silly enough to say anything to get him, or the entire party, in trouble.

Perhaps the journalist misheard, or deliberately twisted what was said.

The fact is, in any case, it wasn't George Osborne who said anything about not wanting to be in standard (or not being able to be in standard because all people in standard are scum and should kneel down and worship the ground he walks on) and the train staff have said there was no argument.

It means that while SS4 has been attacking the Tories for as long as I can remember, this isn't anything to use against the party. Nor, for that matter, is it worth attacking members of other parties. The video showing that Ed Miliband did the same, even removing the antimacassars for the cameras, is probably why Labour is in fact being pretty quiet now - especially after the revelation that significantly more Labour MPs use first than Tories.

However, even though it's 'my money' I would not argue with MPs travelling in first class when working. They don't need to do so when commuting to/from work, so a first class season ticket I wouldn't agree with. Given their salaries, I am not going to worry about a few hundred quid here and there for them to be productive while travelling.

SS4 is going to hate this but they are actuallly underpaid (MP's) compared to their counterparts in other Nations

Don't be to hard on him, he does have to contend with supporting Aston Villa which is bound to result in erratic behaviour and sentiments. (especially after the Fulham reverse )

I agree with the hypocrisy from Labour - but thats Politics !!

 

[yorksrob]

Standard class isn't beneath the dignity of Mr G Osborne by a long chalk. Is it beneath the dignity of the office of Chancellor ? Yes, I would say so.

Attempting to run the Country wedged next to someone yapping away whilst a never ending stream of passengers on the way back from the buffet car slop their coffee over you doesn't seem appropriate to me.

 

[Greenback]

Standard class isn't beneath the dignity of Mr G Osborne by a long chalk. Is it beneath the dignity of the office of Chancellor ? Yes, I would say so.

Attempting to run the Country wedged next to someone yapping away whilst a never ending stream of passengers on the way back from the buffet car slop their coffee over you doesn't seem appropriate to me.

I agree.

There is also absolutely no point in trying to make political capital out of this, as I would expect a Labour or LibDem Chancellor to do the same in the circumstances.

Move on people, nothing to see here.

 

[driver_m]

If those of you who are shouting hypocrisy about Milliband taking off the first class antimacassars, then can I ask why you haven't mentioned that Cameron does exactly the same thing?

BTW I'm not for any party, they're all equally unprincipled in my eyes.

 

[Butts]

If those of you who are shouting hypocrisy about Milliband taking off the first class antimacassars, then can I ask why you haven't mentioned that Cameron does exactly the same thing?

BTW I'm not for any party, they're all equally unprincipled in my eyes.

Agreed, the saddest aspect of the whole business is that people are seemingly ashamed to be sitting in 1st Class whatever their political orientation.