Train or Chinook?
Home Secretary Suella Braverman was transported 19 miles from Dover to Manston on Thursday 5th November by a military Chinook helicopter when visiting the overcrowded Manston migrant centre.
Suella Braverman being transported via Chinook. Photograph: Henry Nicholls/Reuters
A Chinook helicopter is capable of holding 55 people and has a top speed of around 188mph – according to the Boeing manufacturer – that have seen action in conflicts such as Afghanistan and the Gulf War.
They cost around £30,000 per aircraft. It has been reported by the UK Defence Journal that a Chinook helicopter costs £3,500 per hour to fly, which at the time of a financial crisis, the message Suella Braverman is sending to the general public is not a good one. What was the need to use such an expensive and intense mode of transport?
There has been major backlash on social media platforms towards the current Home Secretary, including George Monbiot (@GeorgeMonbiot) stating her actions were to “create a sense of ‘threat’ and ‘invasion’”.
Other twitter users have condemned Ms. Braverman’s actions, pointing out the fact the journey is “a £7 train or 30 minute drive” and calling for her to “be sacked for bring the government into disrepute during a cost of living crisis… We have no confidence in this government and and want change”.
Downing Street has defended the Home Secretary’s use of the helicopter, stating that the rest of the day’s journeys were made by car, and the department stressed that the helicopter would have been used for a higher priority task if one materialised.
A government spokeswoman said: “The Home Secretary was in Dover to receive an update on operations on the ground.That obviously involved operations in the Channel. She travelled on a military aircraft to see the area of operations at sea.”
Ms. Braverman avoided questions from the press and there has been no official reason given as to why she decided to make this journey using the Chinook.
She said: “I have met with our expert teams who work tirelessly to save lives and protect the UK’s borders.
“I wanted to see first hand how we’re working to reduce the number of people in Manston, support people there, and thank staff for all their efforts.
“I am incredibly proud of the skill and dedication shown to tackle this challenging situation here on a daily basis.
“This is a complex and difficult situation, which we need to tackle on all fronts and look at innovative solutions.
“To break the business model of the people smugglers, we need to ensure that the illegal migration route across the Channel is ultimately rendered unviable.”
It is thought that the Home Secretary decided on this method of transport to get a full outlook on the migrant situation, and it is common for those involved in resolving the migrant issue to use transport such as helicopters to view the situation.
Perhaps Ms. Braverman wanted to create a sense of urgency towards the issue, but instead created a sense of “invasion”.
Pair this with how shockingly the Home Secretary has handled the migrant situation overall – sending them to Rwanda, a country with a shocking human rights record – Suella Braverman is making herself majorly unpopular.
The overwhelming public dissatisfaction alone shows that this has been yet another mistake from Suella Braverman.
Isobella-Skye Taylor