Blair's 'Ticket to Ride' or in this case - not.

dong20

Sexy Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2006
Posts
6,058
Media
0
Likes
28
Points
183
Location
The grey country
Sexuality
No Response
LONDON (AFP) - Former prime minister Tony Blair was caught travelling on a train without a ticket and any cash to pay the fare, his spokesman said on Wednesday.

Blair was confronted by a ticket inspector as he travelled to London's Heathrow airport to catch a flight to the United States on Monday, spokesman Matthew Doyle said.

"Mr Blair just didn't have any cash on him," Doyle said. "One of the policemen travelling with him offered to pay for the ticket, but the ticket inspector said it wasn't necessary."

A ticket should on the train should cost 24.50 pounds (49 dollars, 30 euros).

I mean, it makes you wonder ... :cool:

Former British PM caught riding without a ticket
 

dong20

Sexy Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2006
Posts
6,058
Media
0
Likes
28
Points
183
Location
The grey country
Sexuality
No Response
Retiring PM's used to get an earldom and a barony, they don't even give those out any more. :tongue:

I'm not sure about 'Earldoms' I think they quit doing that in the 60s and/or 'Baronetcies' which are hereditary (while a life peer holds the 'rank' of 'Baron' it's not hereditary), but yes they were usually honoured automatically. John Major ended the cycle of 'automatic' honours for certain posts. He was awarded the Order of the Garter only in 2005.

That particular honour is awarded solely at the personal prerogative of the Monarch. Clearly she liked him. :biggrin1:

One day, he will be entitled to a free travel pass.
 

Viking_UK

Expert Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2007
Posts
1,226
Media
0
Likes
148
Points
283
Location
Scotland
Sexuality
90% Gay, 10% Straight
Gender
Male
It shows how desperate a state the Country is in when the former PM can't even afford a train ticket :cool:

It's not the country that's in a desperate state. It's him, who managed to lose the cash his PA put in his pocket.

Anyone else would have been fined and had to pay the fare. The sponger should have been made to pay. He's already earned over 500,000 from one part-time job since he retired as PM, so he's certainly not short of funds, just readies.
 

HamYai

Experimental Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2008
Posts
730
Media
0
Likes
7
Points
103
Location
UK
Sexuality
80% Straight, 20% Gay
Gender
Male
The law is the law.

He's an ex lawyer and his wife still practices, so few know that better.

It's outrageous that he wasn't only made to pay the fair but charged with breaking the law, also.

Did his security people pay their way? If so, how could he have not done likewise? if not, they should all have been charged with breaking the law.

This is the sort of stuff that sticks in the craw of us "ordinary's".
 

kalipygian

Expert Member
Joined
Dec 3, 2005
Posts
1,948
Media
31
Likes
139
Points
193
Age
68
Location
alaska
Sexuality
100% Gay, 0% Straight
Gender
Male
I'm not sure about 'Earldoms' I think they quit doing that in the 60s and/or 'Baronetcies' which are hereditary (while a life peer holds the 'rank' of 'Baron' it's not hereditary), but yes they were usually honoured automatically. John Major ended the cycle of 'automatic' honours for certain posts. He was awarded the Order of the Garter only in 2005.

That particular honour is awarded solely at the personal prerogative of the Monarch. Clearly she liked him. :biggrin1:

One day, he will be entitled to a free travel pass.


I think from Wilson on, Labour governments only gave out life peerages.

Macmillan was made Earl of Stockton and Viscount Macmillan of Ovendon in 1984.

I am not sure if a retired PM being made a KG is an indication of of HM's personal liking, as it was also given to Baroness Thatcher.:eek::eek::eek:
 

dong20

Sexy Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2006
Posts
6,058
Media
0
Likes
28
Points
183
Location
The grey country
Sexuality
No Response
I think from Wilson on, Labour governments only gave out life peerages.

Macmillan was made Earl of Stockton and Viscount Macmillan of Ovendon in 1984.

I didn't think they'd do that so recently, shame he didn't get to enjoy the title very long.

I am not sure if a retired PM being made a KG is an indication of of HM's personal liking, as it was also given to Baroness Thatcher.:eek::eek::eek:

Perhaps, who knows it was really a joke comment. :biggrin1:

Perhaps she secretly liked Margaret more than was supposed? - I read she found her 'a bit of a frost'. HM awarded the same honour to the Late Sir Edmund Hillary that same year. Interestingly, Late Sir Dennis received a Baronetcy in 1991, the first for almost 30 years to my knowledge not since repeated. Sadly this means his son inherited his title.

Not that this has anything to do with TB's fare dodging.
 

Mr. Snakey

Expert Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2006
Posts
21,752
Media
0
Likes
123
Points
193
Sexuality
No Response
LONDON (AFP) - Former prime minister Tony Blair was caught travelling on a train without a ticket and any cash to pay the fare, his spokesman said on Wednesday.

Blair was confronted by a ticket inspector as he travelled to London's Heathrow airport to catch a flight to the United States on Monday, spokesman Matthew Doyle said.

"Mr Blair just didn't have any cash on him," Doyle said. "One of the policemen travelling with him offered to pay for the ticket, but the ticket inspector said it wasn't necessary."

A ticket should on the train should cost 24.50 pounds (49 dollars, 30 euros).

I mean, it makes you wonder ... :cool:

Former British PM caught riding without a ticket
I dont think he should have to pay at all.