Critics of Sky News's decision follow Andy Burnham's so-called "coronation procession" from Manchester to London on the West Coast Main Line with a helicopter have backed down after the channel pointed out that chartering the rotor-craft cost less than buying two walk-up singles for the 10.55 departure from Manchester Piccadilly.
"Of course we wanted to be on the train," said correspondent Bea Ching. "We felt the public needed to know important things: is he a latte or cappuccino PM in waiting, can he do the Sudoku before the inevitable wait at Crewe? Problem was, we got to the Avanti Desk and they wanted so much for an on-the-day first class ticket that we just thought 'sod it' and dangled the camera out a helicopter window instead. It felt a bit like Treasure Hunt, with Beth Rigby as Wincey Willis back in the studio."
The channel has promised that further coverage of the change in Labour Leader will be more cost-effective, telling us, "We've contacted Martin Lewis, and he's said if we buy the tickets on a full moon in a month with five Saturdays, promise to spin round three times at Watford Junction, and only have the Rich Tea biscuits, we can save over three quid on the return journey when Andy goes back to Manchester on Friday to resign as Mayor."
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