Petition against plans for a new Royal Yacht

[Squire Haggard]

I'm going to sign this petition.  They dont need it because they have enough royal residences as it is, and they dont need a floating one. An open topped submarine might be better. 

20,896 so far.

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[sparkus]

It's a ploy from Downing Street to wrongfoot their opponents.

No one is going to support it, even the royals themselves don't, but the minute you speak out about it you're branded a woke warrior traitor and it's job done as far as they're concerned.

[David1970]

I am all for it, Britain lacks hard power but the royal family provides excellent soft power and a royal yacht will improve it. The yacht will also be used to promote UK trade and industry, which will be need post-Brexit.

If any one feels it’s a waste of money let’s just look at the cost of the unelected House of Lords (subsidised gentleman’s club), that does nothing for the UK, unlike the royal family.

[willie loman]

ive already signed it,

[lamboman]

Stupid idea won't get my signature.

[Gordon Bennett]

I think following is true but I'm going off memory...

During the 70s when UK economy was in the toilet the royal yacht Brittania often came in for criticism as being an obscene unaffordable extravagance. One of the reasons for keeping it was that it could be easily reconfigured as a hospital ship if needed.
Fast forward to the Falklands Conflict in 1982 and blow me they did not donate Brittania to the effort. Made a complete mockery of the previous claims about its potential service for the nation's injured service personnel.
From that point on I always took a dim view of the Royal Yacht.

[willie loman]

I think following is true but I'm going off memory...

During the 70s when UK economy was in the toilet the royal yacht Brittania often came in for criticism as being an obscene unaffordable extravagance. One of the reasons for keeping it was that it could be easily reconfigured as a hospital ship if needed.
Fast forward to the Falklands Conflict in 1982 and blow me they did not donate Brittania to the effort. Made a complete mockery of the previous claims about its potential service for the nation's injured service personnel.
From that point on I always took a dim view of the Royal Yacht.

it was though basically used by the queen on official business, and rightly she felt no reason to pay for it, dont see any point in this new boat.

[David1970]

I think following is true but I'm going off memory...

During the 70s when UK economy was in the toilet the royal yacht Brittania often came in for criticism as being an obscene unaffordable extravagance. One of the reasons for keeping it was that it could be easily reconfigured as a hospital ship if needed.
Fast forward to the Falklands Conflict in 1982 and blow me they did not donate Brittania to the effort. Made a complete mockery of the previous claims about its potential service for the nation's injured service personnel.
From that point on I always took a dim view of the Royal Yacht.

The royal yacht was not required in the conflict in the South Atlantic because the larger Uganda was used, the Britannia was used to recuse civilians from war torn Yemen.
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[chrishornx]

The royal yacht was not required in the conflict in the South Atlantic because the larger Uganda was used, the Britannia was used to recuse civilians from war torn Yemen.
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a very good point

[sparkus]

They should call this for what it really is.  The Boris Yacht.

HMS Nut Nut.

Boaty McBoatface.

[Ali Katt]

If it's built in the UK I support. The qe 2 was a huge boon for Scottish boat makers.

[sparkus]

If it's built in the UK I support. The qe 2 was a huge boon for Scottish boat makers.

As I said, it's a ploy.

During a charged Scottish election campaign there's a ton of things you could spend £280m on to alleviate poverty, pay nurses or reboot the economy.

But if you said that then you were accused of taking away work from Clyde ship platers.

As I said, a ploy.  It's not about a boat or honouring a dead royal most of the country have already forgotten about.

[Adoniron]

Its amazing how the magic money tree can suddenly bear fruit when government wants to splash the cash on a pet project.

[willie loman]

If it's built in the UK I support. The qe 2 was a huge boon for Scottish boat makers.

the qe2 arrived at least a year late, and broke down on its maiden voyage, no one ever again made the mistake of having a cruise liner built in Scotland.

[hullad]

They are getting rid of the Royal Squadron 32 its 4 146 aircraft are up for sale. The Royal train has been cut backand not used that much and is expected to be retired as soon as it requires new stock.

The yacht is a non starter and quite frankly stupid. Brittania had to go, her age and she was the only ship left using bunker oil stopped her going to the Falklands and her primary use was to whisk the Royal family away during a nuclear war off the coast of jockland. Everywhere it went it had a frigate as company, we only have 13 now. The Queen is unlikely to use it now and as we progress they will become less relevant.

This is a ploy to get a ship for government and mates for jollies at our expense, could be used as target practice by one of the A class subs they can't get working ....

[mr.bluesky]

I'm going to sign this petition.  They dont need it because they have enough royal residences as it is, and they dont need a floating one. An open topped submarine might be better. 

20,896 so far.

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I'd make them let do with a rowing boat or rubber dinghy 

[chrishornx]

the qe2 arrived at least a year late, and broke down on its maiden voyage, no one ever again made the mistake of having a cruise liner built in Scotland.

to be fair only one liner has been built since QE2

[NelsonH]

Whats the difference between a liner an all those cruise-ships?  What am I not understanding?

[sparkus]

They are getting rid of the Royal Squadron 32 its 4 146 aircraft are up for sale. The Royal train has been cut backand not used that much and is expected to be retired as soon as it requires new stock.

The yacht is a non starter and quite frankly stupid. Brittania had to go, her age and she was the only ship left using bunker oil stopped her going to the Falklands and her primary use was to whisk the Royal family away during a nuclear war off the coast of jockland. Everywhere it went it had a frigate as company, we only have 13 now. The Queen is unlikely to use it now and as we progress they will become less relevant.

This is a ploy to get a ship for government and mates for jollies at our expense, could be used as target practice by one of the A class subs they can't get working ....

Great point.  Can you imagine being among the troops with duff equipment and being told "Sorry lads, but they need a £260m boat to moor off Cannes for a property expo.  Next year maybe."

[chrishornx]

Whats the difference between a liner an all those cruise-ships?  What am I not understanding?

Size speed draft strength

Liners take ocean crossing journeys in a 'line' i.e. Southampton to NY for the purpose of getting from A to B

cruise ships hop from port to port often finishing at their port of departure. Cruise ships are far more adaptable to access shallow water harbours West Indies etc whilst Liners are far more powerful, faster ocean crossing work horses QM2 has about 35 foot below water cruise ships often only 8-10

there is only one Liner in operation at the moment the QM2

[Ali Katt]

As I said, it's a ploy.

During a charged Scottish election campaign there's a ton of things you could spend £280m on to alleviate poverty, pay nurses or reboot the economy.

But if you said that then you were accused of taking away work from Clyde ship platers.

As I said, a ploy.  It's not about a boat or honouring a dead royal most of the country have already forgotten about.

The government don't want to end poverty and it doesn't matter what party. If you have to be on benefits you are a slave to big government it keeps you trapped. It's an elitist system and you can see what are perceived as bad decisions actually being planned well in advance: scrapping of gold standard, Iraq war, emphasis on often useless academic qualifications rather than trades, austerity cuts which raised Vat.

[george r]

i would rather have a petition against the the house of lords !! unelected jobsworths and old boys club 

[David1970]

i would rather have a petition against the the house of lords !! unelected jobsworths and old boys club 

Got to agree, unelected old boys club for ex-politicians and their mates, waste of money and space.

[sparkus]

The government don't want to end poverty and it doesn't matter what party. If you have to be on benefits you are a slave to big government it keeps you trapped. It's an elitist system and you can see what are perceived as bad decisions actually being planned well in advance: scrapping of gold standard, Iraq war, emphasis on often useless academic qualifications rather than trades, austerity cuts which raised Vat.

I appreciate 'poverty' is a bit abstract and open-ended, compared to, say, a pay increase for nurses or better equipment for the troops.

As I said, there is perhaps a business case for such a boat which could be used certain times of the year for the royals and, as others have said, a trade vessel using their soft power for the benefit of UK plc.

But instead Boris is going for the woke dogwhistle approach (he likes to wrap his own pet projects with royals' names in the hope it rubs off on him and future generations look back at the 'Elizabethan Era' with kind eyes...)

I wonder which will launch first, HMS Prince Phillip or the Elizabeth Line?

[sparkus]

Got to agree, unelected old boys club for ex-politicians and their mates, waste of money and space.

Good luck with that: Labour like it because it's unelected and can't challenge the Commons, plus they get to stuff it with ex-MPs or use it as an inducement for MPs to give up their seats.  The Tories like it because it's old and grand, with a whiff of aristocratic grandeur.  Boris especially.

[Ali Katt]

I appreciate 'poverty' is a bit abstract and open-ended, compared to, say, a pay increase for nurses or better equipment for the troops.

As I said, there is perhaps a business case for such a boat which could be used certain times of the year for the royals and, as others have said, a trade vessel using their soft power for the benefit of UK plc.

But instead Boris is going for the woke dogwhistle approach (he likes to wrap his own pet projects with royals' names in the hope it rubs off on him and future generations look back at the 'Elizabethan Era' with kind eyes...)

I wonder which will launch first, HMS Prince Phillip or the Elizabeth Line?

I've said it before but tax cuts are better than pay increases. It doesn't matter what government they give with the little hand, take with the big hand.

[Squire Haggard]

I would sign a petition to scrap the Lords. Its certainly a gravy train with too many snouts in the trough..

A former colleague from long ago is now the Lord Speaker of the Lords. IMO he's trying to make up for the fact that he was never made a Minister when he was an MP. He seems to be the same very driven person that I remember from long ago.

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[David1970]

Good luck with that: Labour like it because it's unelected and can't challenge the Commons, plus they get to stuff it with ex-MPs or use it as an inducement for MPs to give up their seats.  The Tories like it because it's old and grand, with a whiff of aristocratic grandeur.  Boris especially.

Two sets of corrupt wankers liking it does not make it correct

[David1970]

I would sign a petition to scrap the Lords. Its certainly a gravy train with too many snouts in the trough..

A former colleague from long ago is now the Lord Speaker of the Lords. IMO he's trying to make up for the fact that he was never made a Minister when he was an MP. He seems to be the same very driven person that I remember from long ago.

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I remember that waste of time, he was the typical back bencher in the commons, followed the party line, didn’t rock the boat and got a peerage in return.
Remember John Prescott man of the people until he left the commons and he jumped on the gravy train to the Lords.

[Jonestown]

I am all for it, Britain lacks hard power but the royal family provides excellent soft power and a royal yacht will improve it. The yacht will also be used to promote UK trade and industry, which will be need post-Brexit.

The decision to scrap the old Britannia was taken by the same Son of Kircaldy who decided to sell our gold reserves at the bottom of the market, so clearly that decision should be reversed just on principle.

[mr.bluesky]

Good luck with that: Labour like it because it's unelected and can't challenge the Commons, plus they get to stuff it with ex-MPs or use it as an inducement for MPs to give up their seats.  The Tories like it because it's old and grand, with a whiff of aristocratic grandeur.  Boris especially.

I thought politics was not supposed to be mentioned on this thread 

[Squire Haggard]

I remember that waste of time, he was the typical back bencher in the commons, followed the party line, didn’t rock the boat and got a peerage in return.
Remember John Prescott man of the people until he left the commons and he jumped on the gravy train to the Lords.

As you say, the porker that you mentioned just loves his snout in the trough.

IMO, John Mc Fall will bear a grudge about not being made a Minister. Maybe the leaders found him a bit brusque to deal with? He did become chair of the Treasury Select Committee though.  IMO John Mc Fall is doing it for the power and glory rather than the snout in the trough, just for the sake of it.

[lamboman]

Good luck with that: Labour like it because it's unelected and can't challenge the Commons, plus they get to stuff it with ex-MPs or use it as an inducement for MPs to give up their seats.  The Tories like it because it's old and grand, with a whiff of aristocratic grandeur.  Boris especially.

Are politics allowed now then?

[willie loman]

The decision to scrap the old Britannia was taken by the same Son of Kircaldy who decided to sell our gold reserves at the bottom of the market, so clearly that decision should be reversed just on principle.

in both instances he will have been following expert advice.

[webpunter]

the qe2 arrived at least a year late, and broke down on its maiden voyage, no one ever again made the mistake of having a cruise liner built in Scotland.

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[sparkus]

Are politics allowed now then?

I withdraw my remarks.

Don't want to be responsible for opening the floodgates.

[David1970]

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Are politics allowed now then?

Seems so

[bs123456]

HMS Prince Philip really should be a proper warship.  We already have aircraft carriers named after his wife and his son (in fact these are a specific class of aircraft carrier named after his wife).

Surely it would be a more fitting nod to his proud naval heritage.  He loved his time in the Navy, always spoke very fondly of it and his eyes lit up when recounting his war stories.  He was gutted to leave but did so out of a sense of duty to the Queen.

[webpunter]

ooooh, getting stressy ?
nice to see that you have managed to venture south of the ice-wall for three punts 

i was havin a laarf with the pic
proves that the sweaties are lacking a sense of humour

Seems so

[chrishornx]

HMS Prince Philip really should be a proper warship.

 He was gutted to leave but did so out of a sense of duty to the Queen.

and you really should, out of a sense of duty, do some reviews

[mr.bluesky]

and you really should, out of a sense of duty, do some reviews

  . Give him time. After all he's only been a member for nearly four years. Rome wasn't built in a day you know 

[David1970]

ooooh, getting stressy ?
nice to see that you have managed to venture south of the ice-wall for three punts 

i was havin a laarf with the pic
proves that the sweaties are lacking a sense of humour

As an Englishman I can tell you the Scots do have a sense of humour, as for punting I do the majority of my punting in the Northeast of England.
As for you bring up politics and racial comments I will not comment.

[chrishornx]

. Give him time. After all he's only been a member for nearly four years. Rome wasn't built in a day you know 

an ambitious attempt I accept

 Just the eternal optimist

[webpunter]

Politics & racial comments ?
Bless, what a sensitive soul you are
All aboard the woke band wagon

There was reference to Scootland & ship building
To which i replied
Clearly you were offended & for this i must apologise

Are we not allowed to have just a little bit of fun on here ?      Hardly political in the grand scheme of things

My scootish mates rip it out of the sassenachs
Which is a laarf & me & my [other sassenach] mates give it back   
It's called banter, i suggest that you look this up
The scoots do indeed have a GSOH, unlike you

As for most of your punting being in the north-east of england i'm waiting for a tidal wave of reviews
Only three reviews have been reported south of the border
I can't wait & am getting excited at the prospect
If i did have a kilt & went oot & aboot commando i would be sporting a boner just thinking about what you are gonna unleash on UKP  & 

As an Englishman I can tell you the Scots do have a sense of humour, as for punting I do the majority of my punting in the Northeast of England.
As for you bring up politics and racial comments I will not comment.

[webpunter]

Of the dry dock where they built [& fucked up] the QE2 ?

Don't want to be responsible for opening the floodgates.

[David1970]

Politics & racial comments ?
Bless, what a sensitive soul you are
All aboard the woke band wagon

There was reference to Scootland & ship building
To which i replied
Clearly you were offended & for this i must apologise

Are we not allowed to have just a little bit of fun on here ?      Hardly political in the grand scheme of things

My scootish mates rip it out of the sassenachs
Which is a laarf & me & my [other sassenach] mates give it back   
It's called banter, i suggest that you look this up
The scoots do indeed have a GSOH, unlike you

As for most of your punting being in the north-east of england i'm waiting for a tidal wave of reviews
Only three reviews have been reported south of the border
I can't wait & am getting excited at the prospect
If i did have a kilt & went oot & aboot commando i would be sporting a boner just thinking about what you are gonna unleash on UKP  & 

As I said in my post, I won’t comment on your political or racial posts

As for my reviews, I will decide when and who I will do reviews on, not you

[Squire Haggard]

It looks like its going ahead ''to promote British trade.''  The Yanks, the French, and many others, seem to manage to promote trade without royals or a royal yacht. Maybe its because of the divine right of kings. 

I've been on the last royal yacht, the Britannia. Because I'm a peasant, I never sailed on it, but took a tour at the Leith docks, Edinburgh. 

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[berksboy]

Great news 

[chrishornx]

It looks like its going ahead ''to promote British trade.''  The Yanks, the French, and many others, seem to manage to promote trade without royals or a royal yacht. Maybe its because of the divine right of kings. 

I've been on the last royal yacht, the Britannia. Because I'm a peasant, I never sailed on it, but took a tour at the Leith docks, Edinburgh. 

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it is not a royal Yacht, it will not be used by the Royals for Holidays, honeymoons etc. and it will not be named after DoE

[chrishornx]

I'm going to sign this petition.  They dont need it because they have enough royal residences as it is, and they dont need a floating one. An open topped submarine might be better. 

20,896 so far.

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Only 8,000 more in 17 days - folk beginning to realise this is NOT a royal yacht