Why keep comparing the procurement to the US VIP fleet? Nations similar in size and smaller already operate their own fleets.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_transports_of_Heads_of_State

H Tran, Fairfield, AU

I could live with the decision if the troops Tony has sent round the world had access to modern transport aircraft to lif them into and out of theatre instead of the VC10's and second hand Tristars they rely on now. And given the mess of the PFI for the future tanker/transport aircraft and the serious reduction in capability some the time taken sorting out "Blairforce 1" would have been better used sorting out a straight purchase of aircraft for the RAF

Darren, Beverley, east yorks

The UK is the only country in the world that has a head-of-state who can make foreign citizens stampede to see her when she visits. For God's sake, give the lady an airplane! She pays for heself in tourism.

Jeff McQuary, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

100 million would pay for a lot of heart and cancer care
I know where I,d spend the money but nevermind I know
who to vote in at the next election.

george william taylor, hull, uk

The UK currently has a rather meagre provision for our head of state & senior officials, even in comparison to most African states. Last year Blair was delayed a day in Johannesburg after their leased old DC-8 blew an engine on takeoff. These sorts of issues actually cost our gov't and us taxpayers, so I'm all for investing in a modern and reliable fleet. Alternatively we could take inspiration from aerophobic Kim Jong-Il and have our heads of state not visit other nations.

Tom Collins, Bristol, UK

Britain's prime minister and head of state should not be flying commercial. For one thing, it is a security hazard. The criticism sparks of a knee jerk reaction by jealous folks who won't get to fly on the plane.

DR Gooch, Montreal, Quebec

No wonder people (the Americans most of all) around the world snigger at what our country has become. For our leaders to represent and present our country as a world leader and at the same time hire a poor mans version of Air Force One or buy second hand planes is just embarrassing and humiliating for a country that once had an empire that the sun never set on!

Alex, London,

Parasites..........all of them

Hobbler, Watchet, Somerset

"The £100 million cost is similar to the price for leasing British Airways Boeing 777s over the decade, as Mr Blair has done for years. "
If it's cheaper or similar cost then leasing, what's the problem?
And we all save money if the Queen gets to use it too!

Rob, Birmingham, UK

If the Royal family want another aircraft let them pay for it.

If Tony Blair wants to sign for it, let him use his own cheque book to pay for it..
( We do not need a Phd to predict which fomer P.M.'s wife at the time of delivery, will have arranged for former P.M.'s to make use of it via an exceptional clause in the contract. )

From gravy train to private plane, how very, very UK socialist.

If the tax payer has to pay for it, let them be able to hire it.

That will cover the annual costs and maintenace, in this so called equal society? No chance!

Ken.H, Harrow.,