RAF Jet Resprayed by Boris Johnson Sidelined by Sir Keir Starmer

Strategic Insights -

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has ditched the RAF jet resprayed in Union Jack colours by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, opting instead for a smaller plane for VIP flights. The Vespina Voyager, which was given a patriotic upgrade in 2020, has been used solely for refuelling military aircraft over the North Sea since Labour took office. Sir Keir has used a leased Airbus A321-2NX, painted in red, white, and blue, for trips to visit world leaders, including the King and Queen's trip to Canada earlier this year.

Key Takeaways:

  • The RAF jet, Vespina Voyager, was resprayed in Union Jack colours by Boris Johnson at a cost of £800,000 in 2020, but has not been used for VIP flights for two years.
  • The jet has been used solely for air-to-air refuelling of military planes over the North Sea since Labour took office.
  • Sir Keir Starmer has opted for a smaller leased Airbus A321-2NX, painted in red, white, and blue, for VIP flights, including the King and Queen's trip to Canada.
  • The smaller plane has been rented by the Cabinet Office since 2021 and is leased from Titan Airways.
  • Other RAF Voyagers are painted grey, and the jet used by Mr Johnson was nicknamed the 'Brexit Plane' due to its patriotic livery.
  • The Vespina Voyager has no need to be painted in national colours when performing its primary role of air-to-air refuelling.
  • Palestine Action protesters attacked planes at RAF Brize Norton with red paint last month, but the 'Brexit Plane' was not affected.
  • Sir Keir Starmer described the protest as 'disgraceful', but the stunt appears to have increased the group's popularity, with over 70 people arrested at protests since the decision to proscribe Palestine Action.

Statistics:

  • £800,000: the cost of respraying the RAF jet in Union Jack colours
  • £900,000: the total cost of the patriotic upgrade, including the design and painting
  • £42,000: the number of people arrested in London on Saturday for protesting against the proscription of Palestine Action
  • 70: the number of people arrested at protests against the decision to proscribe Palestine Action
  • 42: the number of people arrested in London on Saturday for protesting against the proscription of Palestine Action
  • 2020: the year the RAF jet was resprayed in Union Jack colours by Boris Johnson
  • 2021: the year the Cabinet Office started renting the smaller Airbus A321-2NX for VIP flights

Sources:

  • The Telegraph
  • The Sunday Mirror
  • Home Office
  • The RAF
  • Titan Airways
  • Cabinet Office
  • BBC News
  • The Guardian