This was the escort of HRH Prince of Wales & HRH Duchess of Cornwall. I'm sure you'll agree that free passage through traffic by way of a motorcade is necessary to protect the principals, the staff that accompany them, their constitutional positions (as the future Head of State) and the public in the event of an attack. Much of the royal calender is public knowledge therefore they are prime targets. I would say this is a legitimate use of money. If you dont - tough!!
@calvinmclean1983 Thanks for pointing this out. It did not occur to me that it was Prince Charles. I thought it was one of the jumped up, self important, too good to mix with ordinary people members of the former Labour government.
@alanheath as human beings we are all born equal but the structure of human civilisations across all Countries means that hierarcys exist be it through political, religous or family means. The cabinet minister (I will not say who) requires legitimate protection and traffic priority due to his responsibilities and authority also the risk of attack of the vehicle could present a public risk should such an event occur.
@moto46 I was not getting at you personally, as my opinion is the minority one! Of course I do accept the argument that people who are targets do need extra protection and kept away from the public.
What gets me is that I remember people in traffic jams next to both Margaret Thatcher and the Queen in the 1980s. I see this as a decline in British values.
@moto46 Maybe I am too socialistically inspired but I tend to think that all people are equal. Evidently you believe, as do many others, that some are more equal than others.
If you were the head of state or the president for a large company and there was a risk for attacks against you or your family you would'nt want to be stuck at a red light either.
@bigbzon The problem is that the government know that they're so hated that if they were to get public transport no doubt they would get abuse everywhere they go. Maybe they wouldn't have to get protected cars if they actually helped the country?
I have first hand experience of communism. If you believe that communism treats everyone equally then I suspect that you have not had the same first hand experience as I have had.
@alanheath Nope, I admit that I haven't had that experience, but is that not related to government corruption that tends to come with communist countries?
Its not Gordon Brown, there is way too little security, plus he does not use bentley's he uses Jaguar's and Land Rovers. Also what would happen if the PM did catch the bus or the tube, he would endanger everyone he was travelling with, the idea of the convoy is to protect the PM and if something were to happen be able to form a defensive blockade around the PM's car, or move at high speed to a designated location. He's the PM who deals with dangerous issues and so needs a decent secuirty detail!
Whoa, major chip on your shoulder! The British really do this very little and handle it much in a much less heavy-handes way than the Yanks. My guess is Prince Charles as he usually has dark green Bentleys.
its not Gordon Brown -too little security and a Bentley at the front, which he does not use - he uses jags. my guess would be a royal. You complain about this but in this modern world of terrorism, it's the sort of protection they need. the queen visited my area a month ago and the security was much higher, 4 marked police BMWs, 4 unmarked range rovers, her Bentley, a jaguar, a VW van and many police motorbikes. And when she got out, there were loads of bodyguards. Now that was over the top
I accept the argument (see below comments). If Gordon Brown got on the bus (for example) he is putting everyone else at risk.
This was a knee jerk reaction remembering former times - if Margaret Thatcher did not need it then why should Gordon Brown but of course things have moved on (or backwards)!
its not Gordon Brown -too little security and a Bentley at the front, which he does not use - he uses jags. my guess would be a royal. You complain about this but in this modern world of terrorism, it's the sort of protection they need. the queen visited my area a month ago and the security was much higher, 4 marked police BMWs, 4 unmarked range rovers, her Bentley, a jaguar, a VW van and many police motorbikes. And when she got out, there were loads of bodyguards. Now that was over the top
I agree that shutting down circulation causes disruption, but I don't see that in your clip. In fact it all looks very clam & discrete; no sirens, no panic, no jams
Prominent people are escorted in this way because when they are stationary they are at greater risk of attack. Even if you don't particularly like the PM, or Queen or whoever - surely you see how it's not a very good idea to let any old looney, extremist, or fanatic take a shot at them?...
...In an ideal world they would ride the bus or sit in jams with the rest of us but then in an ideal world there wouldn't be people trying to blow them up, would there?
London is not what it was. For someone who missed London in the 1990s, to see the security operation around Westminster or the US Embassy is worrying.
But at least today the check on bags outside the museums is much less invasive than it used to be.
Point one is a very good one which I will take on board. It is very discreet and admittedly it was hardly noticeable. Unlike incidents in other countries I have seen but unfortunately not filmed.
Good point also on risk.
I was thinking if it was good enough for Thatcher then it is good enough for Brown.
Maybe I am just too egalitarian and disappointed that in the UK this happens as well!
I was on the train with Gabriel Jankowski - then had to leave him on a train which I thought was potentially dangerous. I offered to take him by car but he refused. I have also been on the bus and train with MPs from PO and Samoobrona. The mayor before Kaczynski used to take the tram. They Kaczynski took over and closed streets with hundreds of police every time he went out. That is what PiS stands for - privelidge and corruption. (should be PiK)!!
Hey, there's no right or wrong - everyone is entitled to their opinion :)
But thanks.
Have you ever seen the Italians driving their High Court Judges from place to place? They are at risk from mafia hits so they race everywhere like complete lunatics, sirens blazing. Now that's excessive!...
In this case that is different as these people must have protection from the fear of criminals. On the other hand racing around like idiots is not a good idea!
The next time I see a street blocked off in Russia or Poland or Italy I will film it!
I will correct you all!
This was the escort of HRH Prince of Wales & HRH Duchess of Cornwall. I'm sure you'll agree that free passage through traffic by way of a motorcade is necessary to protect the principals, the staff that accompany them, their constitutional positions (as the future Head of State) and the public in the event of an attack. Much of the royal calender is public knowledge therefore they are prime targets. I would say this is a legitimate use of money. If you dont - tough!!
calvinmclean1983 9 months ago
@calvinmclean1983 Thanks for pointing this out. It did not occur to me that it was Prince Charles. I thought it was one of the jumped up, self important, too good to mix with ordinary people members of the former Labour government.
alanheath 9 months ago
Our VIP escorts are tiny in comparison to the rest of the world but as much at risk! Bore Off!
britabf 9 months ago
@alanheath as human beings we are all born equal but the structure of human civilisations across all Countries means that hierarcys exist be it through political, religous or family means. The cabinet minister (I will not say who) requires legitimate protection and traffic priority due to his responsibilities and authority also the risk of attack of the vehicle could present a public risk should such an event occur.
moto46 1 year ago
@moto46 I was not getting at you personally, as my opinion is the minority one! Of course I do accept the argument that people who are targets do need extra protection and kept away from the public.
What gets me is that I remember people in traffic jams next to both Margaret Thatcher and the Queen in the 1980s. I see this as a decline in British values.
alanheath 1 year ago
of course they stop traffic for god sakes these are important people what you on about you minion
moto46 1 year ago
@moto46 Maybe I am too socialistically inspired but I tend to think that all people are equal. Evidently you believe, as do many others, that some are more equal than others.
alanheath 1 year ago
Would you rather see them taking the bus???
If you were the head of state or the president for a large company and there was a risk for attacks against you or your family you would'nt want to be stuck at a red light either.
bigbzon 2 years ago 2
Yes I would rather see them taking the bus - so that they know how normal people live.
The very good argument against them taking the bus is that it could put other people at risk.
I sat next to Paul Boateng on the number 24 bus and stood at the bus stop with David Owen but that was in the 1980s.
alanheath 2 years ago
@bigbzon The problem is that the government know that they're so hated that if they were to get public transport no doubt they would get abuse everywhere they go. Maybe they wouldn't have to get protected cars if they actually helped the country?
DoTheShuffaloShake 1 year ago
The reason for the use of the Special Escort Group is to stop The Royal Family, Prime Minister, or other Foreign Dignitaries become sitting ducks.
The possibility is that the become targets for terrorist activity.
macdavies345 2 years ago 5
WEll there are a lot of crazy people out there, remember Anna Lindh? She was the open-minded-type politician. Then she was murdered while shopping.
I would always have security around me if I had a rather dangerous job...
blauewelle814 2 years ago 4
I am not complaining about the security - I am complaining that some people appear to be more equal than others.
alanheath 2 years ago
thats life no one is truely equal
SuperHeroMan411 2 years ago 2
Communist
chadders42 2 years ago 3
Who is a communist?
alanheath 2 years ago
Well in Communism, I think, everyone is treated equally by the government. That sound like your ideal world? There are places like that if you want.
KooKas2oo8 2 years ago
I have first hand experience of communism. If you believe that communism treats everyone equally then I suspect that you have not had the same first hand experience as I have had.
alanheath 2 years ago
@alanheath Nope, I admit that I haven't had that experience, but is that not related to government corruption that tends to come with communist countries?
KooKas2oo8 2 years ago
Corruption is a major issue of course but the main problem is that of inequality of opportunity in my opinion.
alanheath 2 years ago
Its not Gordon Brown, there is way too little security, plus he does not use bentley's he uses Jaguar's and Land Rovers. Also what would happen if the PM did catch the bus or the tube, he would endanger everyone he was travelling with, the idea of the convoy is to protect the PM and if something were to happen be able to form a defensive blockade around the PM's car, or move at high speed to a designated location. He's the PM who deals with dangerous issues and so needs a decent secuirty detail!
cgbc1 2 years ago 3
does the guy expect vip's to ride the tube lol
whys he so bothered
smithylvs 3 years ago
yes I do.
alanheath 3 years ago
Its a dangerous world, get over it!
britabf 3 years ago 5
Well I suspect whoever it is is slightly more important than the guy who filmed it! ;)
coppersparkfilm 3 years ago 18
Good one!
alanheath 3 years ago
Whoa, major chip on your shoulder! The British really do this very little and handle it much in a much less heavy-handes way than the Yanks. My guess is Prince Charles as he usually has dark green Bentleys.
lawsonrob 3 years ago 5
its not Gordon Brown -too little security and a Bentley at the front, which he does not use - he uses jags. my guess would be a royal. You complain about this but in this modern world of terrorism, it's the sort of protection they need. the queen visited my area a month ago and the security was much higher, 4 marked police BMWs, 4 unmarked range rovers, her Bentley, a jaguar, a VW van and many police motorbikes. And when she got out, there were loads of bodyguards. Now that was over the top
Powell999 4 years ago 13
I accept the argument (see below comments). If Gordon Brown got on the bus (for example) he is putting everyone else at risk.
This was a knee jerk reaction remembering former times - if Margaret Thatcher did not need it then why should Gordon Brown but of course things have moved on (or backwards)!
alanheath 4 years ago
its not Gordon Brown -too little security and a Bentley at the front, which he does not use - he uses jags. my guess would be a royal. You complain about this but in this modern world of terrorism, it's the sort of protection they need. the queen visited my area a month ago and the security was much higher, 4 marked police BMWs, 4 unmarked range rovers, her Bentley, a jaguar, a VW van and many police motorbikes. And when she got out, there were loads of bodyguards. Now that was over the top
Powell999 4 years ago
Different country. Poland.
The former mayor Wojciech Kozak used to take the tram like everyone else.
He was followed by Lech Kaczynski - now President (unfortunately).
Kaczynski would have the police everywhere, stopping the traffic etc. Part of his megalomania and ambition.
One example of many I could give.
alanheath 4 years ago
I do not know if this is Gordon Brown, it needs to be pointed out. It may be someone else.
alanheath 4 years ago
How long was anyone delayed for? 20 seconds? 30 seconds? Big deal. Me thinks someone has an inferiority complex.
Do you honestly think it's realistic to expect the PM to get on a bus? The rest of us will still be here in the real world when you get back...
pastaman69 4 years ago
Yes I do think it is realistic for the PM to get on a bus. If everyone else can we can't he?
However I am not suggesting that. Obeying normal traffic procedures - equality for all is all I am asking.
I have witnessed scenes in other countries where for some minor official they stop the circulation in a major city. Is that what you want?
alanheath 4 years ago
I agree that shutting down circulation causes disruption, but I don't see that in your clip. In fact it all looks very clam & discrete; no sirens, no panic, no jams
Prominent people are escorted in this way because when they are stationary they are at greater risk of attack. Even if you don't particularly like the PM, or Queen or whoever - surely you see how it's not a very good idea to let any old looney, extremist, or fanatic take a shot at them?...
pastaman69 4 years ago
...In an ideal world they would ride the bus or sit in jams with the rest of us but then in an ideal world there wouldn't be people trying to blow them up, would there?
pastaman69 4 years ago
London is not what it was. For someone who missed London in the 1990s, to see the security operation around Westminster or the US Embassy is worrying.
But at least today the check on bags outside the museums is much less invasive than it used to be.
alanheath 4 years ago
Point one is a very good one which I will take on board. It is very discreet and admittedly it was hardly noticeable. Unlike incidents in other countries I have seen but unfortunately not filmed.
Good point also on risk.
I was thinking if it was good enough for Thatcher then it is good enough for Brown.
Maybe I am just too egalitarian and disappointed that in the UK this happens as well!
alanheath 4 years ago
I saw Polish MPs on the buses (not live, but on TV) :)
Barciur 3 years ago 3
I was on the train with Gabriel Jankowski - then had to leave him on a train which I thought was potentially dangerous. I offered to take him by car but he refused. I have also been on the bus and train with MPs from PO and Samoobrona. The mayor before Kaczynski used to take the tram. They Kaczynski took over and closed streets with hundreds of police every time he went out. That is what PiS stands for - privelidge and corruption. (should be PiK)!!
alanheath 3 years ago
Or Piwo i Sex (Beer and Sex) ;)
Barciur 3 years ago 2
I do not think I have an inferiority complex but that is really for others to judge not me!
However judging by some of the abuse I have taken on other videos, I get the impression that some others think I have a superiority complex!
I have rethought this and on security grounds accept that you are right and I was wrong!
alanheath 4 years ago
Hey, there's no right or wrong - everyone is entitled to their opinion :)
But thanks.
Have you ever seen the Italians driving their High Court Judges from place to place? They are at risk from mafia hits so they race everywhere like complete lunatics, sirens blazing. Now that's excessive!...
pastaman69 4 years ago
In this case that is different as these people must have protection from the fear of criminals. On the other hand racing around like idiots is not a good idea!
The next time I see a street blocked off in Russia or Poland or Italy I will film it!
alanheath 4 years ago