12 April 2007
The petition on the Number 10 Downing Street website asking the Prime Minister to <a href=’http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/SaveTheReds/’ target=’_blank’>ensure that the Red Arrows continue to be funded</a> appears to have worked.
As of now, 57,222 names have been added to the list, and although the deadline for signing is not until July, the sheer weight of numbers has brought about an early response from Tony Blair. (The peititon is currently at number four on the overall list).
“I am pleased to be able to give you good news,” he says. “There are no plans to change the funding for the Red Arrows, let alone to disband them.”
He points out that the MoD does have to keep an eye on its spending, but also lists reasons why the Reds are a good use of resources.
“So I am pleased to assure you that this government fully intends to keep the Red Arrows flying.”
See <a href=’http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/SaveTheReds/’ target=’_blank’>here</a> for the full message.
