BORIS Johnson’s government will build a new flagship to replace the Royal Yacht Britannia at a reported cost of £200 million.
It will be the UK’s first flagship since the luxury yacht, which was decommissioned in 1997.
The Tory government intends to use the ship for trade fairs, ministerial summits and diplomatic talks.
Johnson said the ship will show off the “best of British”. No name has been announced for the vessel though there has been pressure from Tory MPs to name it after the Duke of Edinburgh, who was involved in designing the Britannia.
READ MORE: BBC Leaders' Debate: 'Ludicrous' new royal yacht plan slammed
Announcing the plans, the Prime Minister said: “This new national flagship will be the first vessel of its kind in the world, reflecting the UK’s burgeoning status as a great, independent maritime trading nation.
“Every aspect of the ship, from its build to the businesses it showcases on board, will represent and promote the best of British – a clear and powerful symbol of our commitment to be an active player on the world stage.”
Earlier this month when plans were floated, Scotland’s political leaders did not welcome the proposals.
Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie called the idea an “absurdity” while Nicola Sturgeon, Anas Sarwar and Willie Rennie dismissed it during an election debate.
Douglas Ross said he would only support the proposals if they were funded by private finance.
The announcement of the vessel comes at the end of a difficult week for the Prime Minister, which has seen him savaged by former aide Dominic Cummings, who claimed the Government was responsible for tens of thousands of needless deaths during the coronavirus pandemic.
He has also faced claims that his past comments about burka-wearing women had contributed to an impression that the Conservative Party is “insensitive to Muslim communities”.
And the ministerial sleaze watchdog said he was “unwise” to allow the refurbishment of his Downing Street flat to go ahead without “more rigorous regard for how this would be funded”.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel