The Hero
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- Jun 29, 2008
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[h=2]Britannia CAN rule the waves! Cameron and senior royals back the Mail's campaign to replace Queen's yacht in honour of Diamond Jubilee - at no cost to taxpayersThe Mails campaign for a new privately funded royal yacht to mark the Queens Diamond Jubilee won the backing of David Cameron yesterday.
The plan is also being privately supported by Prince Charles and Princess Anne.
Mr Cameron and senior Conservatives have swung behind the idea of a replacement for Britannia scrapped as Labour came to power in 1997 as a fitting way to mark the Queens six decades of service to her country. The Prime Minister has pledged his full support for the truly inspiring and splendid initiative.
An artist's impression of how 'FSP21' - the proposed replacement for the Royal Yacht Britannia - will look
Docked: The yacht pictured in Edinburgh this month, when it was moved to a dry dock across the harbour in Leith to have its hull repainted
Monarch's transportation: The yacht will be a fitting tribute for the Queen on her Diamond Jubilee this year
The backing from Mr Cameron and senior royals represents a major boost for the Mails campaign for the national flagship, which started last October.
The £80million, 600ft royal yacht, funded by private donors and individual donations, would be among the largest sailing ships in the world.
The four-masted vessel would have state apartments for use by the monarch, but there would also be an exhibition hall and room for 220 youngsters because the vessel would also be used for trade and business events and by disadvantaged young people for science education and training.
Last nights rousing words of support from Downing Street represent a major step forward for the trustees of the plan who have been quietly developing the idea of a UK flagship for several years.
Then, last year the Daily Mail gave its full support to the project and announced a campaign to bring the idea to life. Many readers responded with letters of support and even donations, although no fundraising scheme has even been formalised.
Last nights dramatic developments followed a day in which it first appeared that Education Secretary Michael Gove had advocated public funding for a new royal yacht. The story was based on a leaked letter to The Guardian.
This soon backfired after it emerged that Mr Gove had said no such thing, a point he underlined in the Commons yesterday afternoon.
The ship has been designed by the internationally renowned British naval architect Colin Mudie, whose designs have included sail-training ships for several navies. It has been codenamed FSP21 (Future Ship Project for the 21st Century) or University of the Oceans, underlining its educational role.
It is also understood that cross-party support will be forthcoming for any project which does not involve public funds. As a carbon-neutral project which would be built in modular form all over the United Kingdom, there is little scope for controversy provided that the taxpayer is not involved.
Mr Cameron has ruled out using taxpayers money for the new yacht, saying it would be inappropriate in the current economic climate.
But he has written privately to the charitable trust behind the national flagship scheme: This is a truly inspiring initiative. I am always keen on projects that look to inspire people from all backgrounds, tapping the skills and energies that Britain needs for future growth and prosperity.
Regal waves: The Queen and Prince Philip meet the crew on the Royal Britannia in Palermo, before it was decommissioned in 1997
Enlarge
The Mail reveals its campaign on October 29
In particular, I note that you propose to use the latest environmental technology in construction and operation of the vessel, whilst retaining much of the grandeur of the great sailing ships of Britains past.
I know you intend the project to be privately funded, and that theres a long way to go. You will understand that the Government will not be able to offer funding, but I would like to give you my best wishes for the successful outcome of this venture. I think its a splendid initiative and you have my full support.
Mr Gove and business minister David Willetts have written to Mr Cameron to express their backing for the idea, arguing it would mark the momentous significance of the Queens 60 years on the throne.
Mr Willetts, in a letter to the Prime Minister seen by the Mail, says impressive supporters for the enterprise include the Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal.
The Queen famously wept as Britannia was decommissioned. The ship had a considerable economic benefit, with £1.1billion in contracts signed on board during a trip to Bombay in 1993.
Mr Gove, telling MPs he was supporting the idea of a new yacht, said: Of course, the project for a royal yacht the Future Ship Project 21st Century [is] one where no public funding should be provided.
I support that project because it would provide opportunities for disadvantaged youth from across the country to learn new skills and to take part in exciting new adventures.
Grand history: The original Royal Yacht Britannia sails under Tower Bridge in London in its full glory
Family day out: The Queen is joined on Britannia in 1983 by Prince Edward, Prince Philip, Princess Anne and Prince Andrew, holding hands with his nephew and niece Peter and Zara Phillips
In a letter to the Prime Minister, sent in September, he wrote: This looks to be a highly commendable project, both for its contribution to our scientific knowledge and for the opportunities it offers to young people.
I believe that approving this ship to become a royal yacht would be an excellent way to mark the Queens Diamond Jubilee, and to thank her, as a nation, for her long and untiring service to this country
I agree, of course, that we should be clear that no public funding is available for this project, as this would not be appropriate in the current financial climate.
I do feel, however, that as a country with a long tradition of monarchy, we should be proud to honour our Queen in this way.
Supporters of the scheme suspect the Lib Dems of trying to scupper it by leaking the partial account of Mr Goves support yesterday, failing to make it clear that he did not back taxpayers money being used.
Stately voyage: The Queen and Prince Edward depart from Portsmouth on the Royal tour of the Western Isles in 1981
Seafarers: The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh on the Royal Yacht in 1979 in Kuwait
[/h]
The plan is also being privately supported by Prince Charles and Princess Anne.
Mr Cameron and senior Conservatives have swung behind the idea of a replacement for Britannia scrapped as Labour came to power in 1997 as a fitting way to mark the Queens six decades of service to her country. The Prime Minister has pledged his full support for the truly inspiring and splendid initiative.
The backing from Mr Cameron and senior royals represents a major boost for the Mails campaign for the national flagship, which started last October.
The £80million, 600ft royal yacht, funded by private donors and individual donations, would be among the largest sailing ships in the world.
The four-masted vessel would have state apartments for use by the monarch, but there would also be an exhibition hall and room for 220 youngsters because the vessel would also be used for trade and business events and by disadvantaged young people for science education and training.
Last nights rousing words of support from Downing Street represent a major step forward for the trustees of the plan who have been quietly developing the idea of a UK flagship for several years.
Then, last year the Daily Mail gave its full support to the project and announced a campaign to bring the idea to life. Many readers responded with letters of support and even donations, although no fundraising scheme has even been formalised.
Last nights dramatic developments followed a day in which it first appeared that Education Secretary Michael Gove had advocated public funding for a new royal yacht. The story was based on a leaked letter to The Guardian.
This soon backfired after it emerged that Mr Gove had said no such thing, a point he underlined in the Commons yesterday afternoon.
The ship has been designed by the internationally renowned British naval architect Colin Mudie, whose designs have included sail-training ships for several navies. It has been codenamed FSP21 (Future Ship Project for the 21st Century) or University of the Oceans, underlining its educational role.
It is also understood that cross-party support will be forthcoming for any project which does not involve public funds. As a carbon-neutral project which would be built in modular form all over the United Kingdom, there is little scope for controversy provided that the taxpayer is not involved.
Mr Cameron has ruled out using taxpayers money for the new yacht, saying it would be inappropriate in the current economic climate.
But he has written privately to the charitable trust behind the national flagship scheme: This is a truly inspiring initiative. I am always keen on projects that look to inspire people from all backgrounds, tapping the skills and energies that Britain needs for future growth and prosperity.
Enlarge
The Mail reveals its campaign on October 29In particular, I note that you propose to use the latest environmental technology in construction and operation of the vessel, whilst retaining much of the grandeur of the great sailing ships of Britains past.
I know you intend the project to be privately funded, and that theres a long way to go. You will understand that the Government will not be able to offer funding, but I would like to give you my best wishes for the successful outcome of this venture. I think its a splendid initiative and you have my full support.
Mr Gove and business minister David Willetts have written to Mr Cameron to express their backing for the idea, arguing it would mark the momentous significance of the Queens 60 years on the throne.
Mr Willetts, in a letter to the Prime Minister seen by the Mail, says impressive supporters for the enterprise include the Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal.
The Queen famously wept as Britannia was decommissioned. The ship had a considerable economic benefit, with £1.1billion in contracts signed on board during a trip to Bombay in 1993.
Mr Gove, telling MPs he was supporting the idea of a new yacht, said: Of course, the project for a royal yacht the Future Ship Project 21st Century [is] one where no public funding should be provided.
I support that project because it would provide opportunities for disadvantaged youth from across the country to learn new skills and to take part in exciting new adventures.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, sent in September, he wrote: This looks to be a highly commendable project, both for its contribution to our scientific knowledge and for the opportunities it offers to young people.
I believe that approving this ship to become a royal yacht would be an excellent way to mark the Queens Diamond Jubilee, and to thank her, as a nation, for her long and untiring service to this country
I agree, of course, that we should be clear that no public funding is available for this project, as this would not be appropriate in the current financial climate.
I do feel, however, that as a country with a long tradition of monarchy, we should be proud to honour our Queen in this way.
Supporters of the scheme suspect the Lib Dems of trying to scupper it by leaking the partial account of Mr Goves support yesterday, failing to make it clear that he did not back taxpayers money being used.
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