Originally Posted by mrmistoffelees (Post 35863139)

12bn IS peanuts, compared to the 200bn that trident will cost...

Originally Posted by heero_yuy (Post 35863144)

Even that most anti nuke party the greens only put it at £97bn



Source

whereas £12bn ANNUALLY sums up to £360bn over thirty years. Three times as much.

Originally Posted by heero_yuy (Post 35863144)

Even that most anti nuke party the greens only put it at £97bn



Source

whereas £12bn ANNUALLY sums up to £360bn over thirty years. Three times as much.

Originally Posted by rhyds (Post 35863124)

Typical brexiteer thinking. In an age of instant digital communications and fast, reliable air travel...

Originally Posted by heero_yuy (Post 35863135)

Wasn't the old tub well past her best and costing an ever incrasing amount to maintain?

Originally Posted by mrmistoffelees (Post 35863139)

12bn IS peanuts, compared to the 200bn that trident will cost.

Originally Posted by Damien (Post 35863161)

£12 billion isn't budget-breaking in the scheme of things. The pension bill alone is going to push over £100bn IIRC.

The UK foreign aid bill isn't entirely without self-interest either. It's one tool at the disposal of the government to influence foreign affairs. There are also cases where it's obvious why it should be needed. If you look at the Ebola issue from last year then poor healthcare and poverty can very quickly become our issue even if you ignore any moral responsibility that a rich nation should have over issues such as that.

Likewise if you're worried about mass migrations then one solution is to reduce the number of failed states. It's undoubtedly in our interests to increase the stability of nations around the world either by helping to stem starvation and disease or helping them to build the infrastructure and economies needed to build stable nations. It's not a magic bullet but they've got no chance if they don't have any economic to speak of or they're all dying.

It doesn't matter how much you attempt to isolate the UK off from the world, the world will come to us either way. When you look at the EU migration crisis then the solution is going to have to be some degree of engagement rather than sitting backing and hoping it solves itself. £12 billion doesn't seem like enough to me considering the power it could have.

Originally Posted by Osem (Post 35863151)

There's really no need to refer to Her Majesty in that tone!!!
:D

Originally Posted by Maggy J (Post 35863131)

So someone remind me why we got rid of the original Royal Yacht?

Originally Posted by RizzyKing (Post 35863275)

The former royal yacht was a great diplomatic asset less so in the last ten years of it's life because as has been said the costs were too high but a lot of good came out of it for the UK. While most utilise and are happy with digital communication there is still a place for the personal touch and advantages gained by being in the same room as the other person. While it's not the best idea given current circumstances it's far from being the worst and likely would do more for the UK then other things.

Originally Posted by Damien (Post 35863277)

We've got no shortage of great places to host visiting diplomats/businessmen.