CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!
"When were prime ministers banned from driving?"
(9 posts)-
Posted 10 years ago #
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I saw that - interesting article. Especially Mrs T in a tank (of course). And someone being driven by his wife (I wondered if he got some stick for that). And Gordon Brown saying that he chose to stop driving once he started having problems with his eyesight.
Posted 10 years ago # -
And wasn't Dave banned from cycling as PM? Or is it just his red box that was banned?
Posted 10 years ago # -
'From Chris Mullins’ diary for 29 July 1999, just the beginning of the hilarious saga of his attempt to dispense with his chauffeur-driven car:
"I am entitled to a car and a driver. Entirely pointless since the 159 and 3 buses will continue to run past my door, even though I am a minister. Jessica [his private secretary], who cycles in from Brixton, was sympathetic but explained that the situation is a little more complicated than I might suppose. For a start, red boxes cannot be transported by public transport."'
http://www.leftfutures.org/2010/05/three-cheers-for-a-con-dem-cut/And slightly OT, Bishop of Ramsbury has given up use of a car for Lent. CTC reports.
Posted 10 years ago # -
"Since the 1950s, prime ministers have effectively been banned from driving while in office - for security reasons that have never been made entirely clear. For security reasons."
Not quite sure what I'm to make of that last sentence. An editorial mishap or repetition for some kind of emphasis? It seems slightly mocking in tone.
Posted 10 years ago # -
I think it means that the security reasons for which PMs don't drive have not been made clear for security reasons. Slightly clumsy wording.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Is it security that stops me seeing my post from 19 hours ago (between Kaputnik's and Dougal's), when I am not logged in? Is there a secret members only version of CCE? Or are the links I put in to Chris Mullins and / or Bishop of Ramsbury secretly banned?
ADMIN EDIT
Apologies.
It was stopped by the notorious 'random spamtrap'.
Didn't notice as quickly as I usually do.
Posted 10 years ago # -
It is disheartening to learn that we are governed by people whose response to a junior employee telling them not to drive isn't 'Thank you for your kind suggestion, but I'll take to the wheel of my automobile as and when I feel like it.'
Doubtless the driving ban is just part of a carefully crafted psychological conditioning process.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Anyone with a knowledge of aberdonian football will know about the commentator David Francey. His catchphrase which was over used for the merest tap was IT'S A DRIVE.
When he lost his licence the Pand J headline was Francey banned from DRIVE-ing.
Politicians have always had chauffeurs helps them get work done when stuck in traffic?
Margaret who was Lord james Douglas hamilton's chauffeur had a great story about Jimmy coming out of the commons in great distress. Margaret he said I have made a terrible gaffe in my speech to the house. I meant to say merchant bankers.......
Posted 10 years ago #
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