Gove: Give The Queen a new Yacht.

[Damien]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/ja...d-jubilee-gove

Originally Posted by Guardian

Michael Gove has brushed aside Britain's economic problems to propose the public donate a new royal yacht to the Queen as a mark of respect during this year's diamond jubilee celebrations, according to a confidential letter to fellow ministers.

Not the smartest of PR moves really, although £60 million isn't much in the grand scheme of things It does seem silly. Personally I would rather the money is spent om the celebration itself or for the opening ceremony of the Olympics. His argument is that it is not 'tangible' but neither is a Yacht for most people. Could we not erect a monument of some sort in honor of the Diamond jubilee?

[Chris]

Not replacing Britannia was one of the most craven and short-sighted decisions Blair took, IMO. it was a potent symbol of our nation in ports around the world and presented many opportunities to make foreign dignitaries and businesspeople feel very special and very warm and fuzzy towards Great Britain, to our national benefit.

£60 million is less than a drop in the ocean for a country like ours, even in hard times, and I think a new yacht would be a great idea. A yacht built by public subscription is also an intriguing idea and clearly of more financial benefit to the UK than another statue.

[martyh]

Originally Posted by Chris

Not replacing Britannia was one of the most craven and short-sighted decisions Blair took, IMO. it was a potent symbol of our nation in ports around the world and presented many opportunities to make foreign dignitaries and businesspeople feel very special and very warm and fuzzy towards Great Britain, to our national benefit.

£60 million is less than a drop in the ocean for a country like ours, even in hard times, and I think a new yacht would be a great idea. A yacht built by public subscription is also an intriguing idea and clearly of more financial benefit to the UK than another statue.

couldn't agree more Chris .The money that Labour wasted on daft schemes and mis-managed projects like this could have easily replaced Britannia and it could now be earning us money

[TheDaddy]

Come on give the old girl a new boat, we're all in this together after all...

[Pierre]

As much as I love the queen, and I do think a new royal yacht is a good idea (as long as it is not for the exclusive use of the royals).

But I don't think now is a good time.

[Chris]

Britannia was never for exclusive Royal use...

[Peter_]

Originally Posted by Chris

Britannia was never for exclusive Royal use...

It was supposed to be a hospital ship but never went to the Falklands as it should have, strange that.

I have seen her up close in Leith but not been aboard and she was easily big enough to be commandeered as a hospital ship as per her original design specification.

[heero_yuy]

Perhaps the MPs and Lords could finance it themselves if they're so for it. £60M splits to about £42k per head. Small change.

With everybody else having to tighten their belts a new Royal yacht has to be a very low priority IMO.

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

Perhaps the MPs and Lords could finance it themselves if they're so for it. £60M splits to about £42k per head. Small change.

They'll probably put it on expenses anyway...

[Julian]

What better use could there be for Lottery millions than this?

When they have finished throwing money at the olympics this would be perfect.

[Damien]

I hadn't thought of the use for promoting trade tc.

[heero_yuy]

Originally Posted by Damien

I hadn't thought of the use for promoting trade tc.

But I wonder how much premium a yacht gives over a Royal tour of the country that would happen, yacht or no yacht.

[Alan Fry]

Maybe they could raise the money from the profits of the Crown Estate, also can they build it in a British Shipyard!

[Peter_]

Government sinks new royal yacht idea

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iXn67pUUkyOIy4fiSkENxD945Hsw?docId=CNG.f4017 fd8fc0fc29b1e449bac606e4e13.111

LONDON — The government on Monday torpedoed suggestions by a minister that taxpayers could pay for a new royal yacht to mark the Queen's diamond jubilee.
Education minister Michael Gove made the proposal in a letter to Culture minister Jeremy Hunt, saying the queen's "highly significant contribution" to Britain and the Commonwealth deserved a "lasting legacy".
But a spokesman for Prime Minister David Cameron ruled out the suggestion.
"On the issue of a royal yacht, clearly when it comes to the issue of public money, I don't think this would be an appropriate use of public money, given the state of the nation's finances," the spokesman told reporters.

[martyh]

shame