a new royal yacht

[Zhukov]

In a confidential letter to fellow Ministers,obtained by The Guardian,Michael Gove has floated the proposal of presenting the Queen,on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee,with a brand new Royal Yacht.Is this a "Grand gesture"too far,or a fitting gift from a grateful nation?

[DrFilth]

will she be happy with one that costs a mere 60 million

[Mosaic]

makes me go all Victor Meldrew.

[Zhukov]

I believe that was the estimated cost in 1997,when it was looked into,DrFilth.Best to round it up to a nice £100m,at todays Royal Yacht prices.

[Gromit]

Can it have an Italian Captain and Navigator

[seadogg]

If it was built in a British shipyard and was designed to be multi purpose there might just be some point in it. As it has been suggested by Michael Gove it may be a gesture on his behalf for some royally bestowed honour for creepiness.

[rowanwitch]

If it were used maybe for training purposes when she wasn't using it... or maybe even leased out to millionaires who either haven't got round to getting their own or like the cachet ... Why not better still build her a perfect replica replacement for her beloved Brittania

[pilotlight]

Can't wait for Mr. ' we're all in this together ' Camerons reply.

[venator]

The old yacht was a valuable asset for international trade, flying the flag in foreign ports.

Now that every sheikh and oligarch has something bigger & flashier than we would be able to afford, why not put big guns on it and shell Brussels?

[jno]

I don't see it happening; it costs too much.

On the other hand, knighting a sycophantic minister costs nothing. Arise, Sir Michael.

[seadogg]

Perish the thought Venator. Where would we get those lovely sprouts from.

[weecalf]

With approx 60 million people in uk thats just £1.50 each damn it all lets get two £3 would not buy you a packet of fags

[Ric.ror]

Why not wait and give her a barely used olympic sized ........
Fit it your own

[rowanwitch]

Exactly if they want us to spend millions on baling out the Euro why can we not spend a small percentage on a little something for our head of state... its not like we are building a huge new mega palace... has any one seen the pics of Mugabes little house in Africa... I'd gladly chip in a tenner

[andy-hughes]

I think this would send out a seriously bad message to the nation which is currently suffering from the ecconomic downturn.

To publicly fund a 'gift' for one of the richest women in the world is simply not appropriate, and i would be surprised if the Queen would go for it - she does seem to have some awareness of the sensibilities of 'ordinary people' - unlike her profligate offspring.

[McMouse]

I understand there's an Italian Captain looking for a new job.......He should be quite cheap.

[anneasquith]

when i read this article i thought it was April 1st.

[rov1100]

Its amazing! The richer you are the more others of a lower position are willing to give you gifts. Sycophants, the lot of them

[jomifl]

One bankers bonus would pay for it.. !

[emmie]

don't know why they got rid of Britannia, seems a pointless empty gesture,
a sop to the brigade who think all Royals are a waste of time, space and money, they could have done a refit on the old ship.