Empty words

Liberal Democrat MP for Orkney and Shetland, Alistair Carmichael, has criticised British Airways for failing to serve the whole of the UK and is demanding they restore the level of service in Scotland "as a matter of urgency". He says the problems began in March when BA sold off its Scottish routes to Flybe - except for Shuttle flights to London airports - and made almost all of its 430 ground staff in Scotland redundant. Ticketing, check-in, dispatch and baggage are now dealt with by contract firm Aviance.

Now, regardless of whether the idea of a third party doing BA’s handling is a good idea or not, Mr Carmichael needs a reality check. British Airways are a public company, not a state owned airline, and have been for years. He can demand all he likes it will not make a jot of difference. He goes onto say "Scottish customers have been left paying British Airways prices for an easyJet service. They seem increasingly to care only about long-haul business out of Heathrow. To call themselves British Airways is increasingly seen as a joke in Scotland."

Now if I were easyJet I'd be ticked at him making such an insulting remark. Did he do it under Parliamentary privilege? If not I'd go after him. Apart from that don't you just get tired of politicians making cheap capital out of a public attack on something or someone where there’s no earthly point? His remarks are designed to do one thing - give him kudos in the eyes of his electorate. The former hotel manager and solicitor really ought to know better.