Build the Queen a new yacht using oversea aid budget !!

The idea was to entertain foreign investors/business people wasn't it? Seems like a rather antiquated idea and makes you just a bit concerned about the government's plan if this was floated as an idea. It's not as if the UK is lacking in historical and grandiose venues for entertaining visitors. we don't need anything as tacky as a yacht when we have places which were literally made for Kings.

[heero_yuy]

Originally Posted by mrmistoffelees

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

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

The combined cost of replacing the Trident nuclear missile system and building, equipping and running two large aircraft carriers will be as much as £130bn, far more than the government has admitted, an in-depth study of the huge defence projects reveals today.

Ministers have said replacing Trident would cost up to £20bn, but key factors the government has left out of the calculation will push the final cost up to £97bn over the system's 30-year life, according to Greenpeace, the environment group.

Source

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

[Osem]

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

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.

There's nowt like facts is there...

Some folks just can't help comparing apples with pallets...

[Mr K]

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

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.

There's MOD costs, and the real costs.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/...ar-disarmament

It might be nice to have a new boat, but there are much higher priorities both within our own country and elsewhere. It's how out of touch these Tory MPs are that's worrying, and their dogmatic little Englander xenophobic mentality. I don't think it's not a matter of they don't care about poverty in this country or abroad, they've just never come face to face with it and only mix in their own very privileged small cliques.

[Osem]

Originally Posted by rhyds

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

It's a pity the EU doesn't seem to wholly agree, what with shipping vast amounts of people and paperwork back and forth between Brussels and Strasbourg in this instant digital age eh? Maybe they're Brexiteers too...

In all, the EU admits that the monthly Strasbourg sitting, which lasts just four days, costs an additional £93 million a year. The Conservative Party in Europe, which is leading a campaign to abandon it, estimates the cost a little higher at £130 million, or about £928 million in the seven-year cycle of an EU budget.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...ng-circus.html

---------- Post added at 11:28 ---------- Previous post was at 11:19 ----------

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

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

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

[denphone]

Originally Posted by mrmistoffelees

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

In these days where money is extremely tight £12 billion would go quite a long way and £200 billion well that would go even further although if it is needed to keep this country secure then it is probably money well spent..

£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 economy 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.

[ianch99]

Originally Posted by Damien

£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.

This is so well said

Taking the long view and helping these countries to help themselves is not in fashion at the moment though. The dominant right wing media would have us just watch the world's troubles from a safe, cheap, distance.

Sad times ...

[heero_yuy]

Originally Posted by Osem

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

After I posted I knew somebody would say that.

[Hom3r]

Originally Posted by Maggy J

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

IIRC it was getting old and costing to much to keep in service.

TBH we should have another Royal Yacht , it wasn't just for the queen, didn't companies tag along to tout business for the country.

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 RizzyKing

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.

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

[Osem]

Originally Posted by Damien

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

How many of them can float though?

Or can go to the country of the people concerned and maintain levels required.

[Kursk]

A royal boat. What a waste of money. It would spend most of its time moored in Australia, New Zealand or the Carribean.

Now royal pushbikes, that's a better idea