‘The Tories can pay for it’: Reactions to Johnson’s new flagship

Hundreds of people have expressed their views virtually after Boris Johnson announced a new flagship which he insisted will promote the “best of British”.

Johnson said the new vessel, worth up to £200 million, will reflect the UK’s “burgeoning status as a great, independent maritime trading nation”.

Some users have pointed out the news about the ‘Royal yacht’ and Johnson’s secret wedding are distracting public debates over recent revelations made by Dominic Cummings.

Journalist Otto English said the Royal Family are “very sensibly” distancing themselves from the proposed Royal yacht.

A senior royal told The Sunday Times it is “too grand” a symbol for use by the monarchy in the modern age, adding: “It is not something we have asked for.”

Top 10 reactions

Shadow Treasury chief secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “Right now our country faces huge challenges, and there’s no sign the government has a plan for the recovery.

“We want to see public money used for targeted investment in a green economic recovery, resources for our NHS, and supporting families to succeed.

“If this ship is going to be part of a genuine plan for Britain’s future, the government must set out clearly how it will boost trade, jobs and growth in every corner of our country.

“We’d want to see it built in Britain, supporting jobs and skills in shipyards here, and with a real focus on value for money at every stage.”

Johnson

Johnson said: “This new national flagship will be the first vessel of its kind in the world, reflecting the UK’s burgeoning status as a great, independent maritime trading nation.

“Every aspect of the ship, from its build to the businesses it showcases on board, will represent and promote the best of British – a clear and powerful symbol of our commitment to be an active player on the world stage.”

The announcement of the vessel comes at the end of a difficult week for the Prime Minister, which has seen him savaged by former aide Dominic Cummings, who claimed the Government was responsible for tens of thousands of needless deaths during the coronavirus pandemic.

Boris Johnson marries Carrie Symonds in secret ceremony

The pandemic response was ‘lions led by donkeys’ – Cummings

Andra Maciuca

Andra is a multilingual, award-winning NQJ senior journalist and the UK’s first Romanian representing co-nationals in Britain and reporting on EU citizens for national news. She is interested in UK, EU and Eastern European affairs, EU citizens in the UK, British citizens in the EU, environmental reporting, ethical consumerism and corporate social responsibility. She has contributed articles to VICE, Ethical Consumer and The New European and likes writing poetry, singing, songwriting and playing instruments. She studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield and has a Masters in International Business and Management from the University of Manchester. Follow her on: