Rishi Sunak claims voters don't mind him splashing cash on private flights

07 June 2023 , 17:06

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The PM has developed a taste for jetting around the UK on helicopters and planes (Image: Getty Images)

Rishi Sunak has suggested voters won’t mind him splashing taxpayers’ cash on private flights if he fixes the country’s problems.

The PM has developed a taste for jetting around the UK on helicopters and planes, even when travelling short distances.

Earlier this week, he flew 74 miles from London to Dover on a chopper despite it being just over an hour away by train.

Labour has accused the PM of being “desperately out-of-touch” with his “expensive habit of swanning around on helicopters instead of getting a grip on the crisis the Tories have caused”.

Mr Sunak was asked if he might better understand problems such as the trains if he actually used them.

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But he told ITV News: “I think what's important is that I deliver for the entire country against the priorities that matter to them and to me.

Rishi Sunak defended his use of helicopters and private planes (Getty Images)

“That's to halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce their waiting lists, and to stop the boats.

"I've set five very clear priorities. Because I believe that those are the country’s priorities.”

Pushed again, he said: “The country will judge how I’m doing as we deliver against those things.

“I think what the country wants is for me to deliver on the five things I set out because if we can halve inflation, grow the economy, cut waiting lists, and stop the boats, people will feel that we've delivered on what we said, that we made a difference to their lives.

"That’s what Government’s should be doing.”

Last week, Mr Sunak admitted he'd racked up a £38,500 bill jetting between Tory party events in Wales and Scotland.

The latest register of member's interest showed the Prime Minister and his eight-strong entourage were flown to the Scottish and Welsh Conservative conferences by private plane on April 28.

The luxury air travel was funded by Tory donor Akhil Triapathi, according to Mr Sunak's declaration in the register.

A spokeswoman for the PM said the details were all declared in the normal way.

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Political Editor in Washington DC