Flagship shows the nation’s lust for adventure
Ministers salute plan for iconic vessel, and declare...
PLANS for a national flagship were hailed yesterday as a demonstration that Britain still has a ‘lust for adventure’, as they gathered growing support from senior ministers.
The proposal for a privatelyfunded vessel to represent the nation around the world won the backing of Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Education Secretary Michael Gove and Business Secretary Vince Cable.
The Daily Mail revealed yesterday that David Cameron and Ed Miliband were supporting a fundraising campaign for a ship that will act as both an ambassador for UK trade and a ‘university of the seas’, providing maritime education opportunities for young people.
Crucially, the 650ft, four-masted UK Flagship will not be funded by taxpayers’ money, instead drawing on donations from businesses, philanthropists and the public.
Mr Clegg said: ‘This is directly in line with Britain’s proud naval tradition which stretches back hundreds of years.
‘Our country has always been at the forefront of trade, exploration and scientific research and the UK Flagship can help us to continue to be so.
‘I am particularly pleased that the vessel will provide such brilliant opportunities for our young people. Lots of youngsters will be given a unique chance to learn first-hand about both the marine world and life on the ocean waves. The UK Flagship will also be riding the waves for British business, travelling the globe promoting the best of UK PLC and creating jobs back here.
‘The UK Flagship is not going to be paid for by the taxpayer but by the generosity of those contributing to a charitable trust, which will also operate it. It is fantastic that the country will be able to enjoy such a magnificent ship without spending public money.’
Education Secretary Mr Gove said: ‘The idea of a national flagship, designed to showcase the best of British innovation, support scientific exploration and give young people a wonderful training opportunity is more than inspired – it’s inspirational.
‘Instead of national hand-wringing and negativity, we need to remind ourselves that our nation, our engineers, our scientists and above all our young people are worth boasting about.
‘This ship will embody the spirit of unapologetic national pride which characterised our Jubilee celebrations and demonstrate that Britons still have hearts of oak and a lust for adventure.’
Mr Cable said the UK Flagship would help fly the flag for British business around the world. The Royal Yacht Britannia, decommissioned in 1997, was used for many trade deals. For example contracts worth in excess of £1billion were signed on board during a visit to India in 1993.
‘This builds on our country’s great maritime tradition and will be a fantastic way for young people to develop skills at sea,’ the Business Secretary said.
‘It’s also a great platform for export promotion which is so vital in continuing to lift the UK out of the deep economic troubles it has suffered.
‘Great credit is due to the Daily Mail for supporting this campaign, as well as those who have so generously donated to make this fantastic project possible.’
Organisers hope the vessel, to be constructed in Britain, will take to the seas in 2016. It will accommodate up to 200 youngsters engaged in maritime training and science projects, and will also have apartments for use by VIPs on official occasions.
Despite comparisons with Britannia, the new vessel will have no royal designation and will not be crewed by the armed forces or draw on taxpayers’ money for its running costs.
Conservative peer Lord Ashcroft, who has pledged up to £5million to the charitable trust behind the project, said: ‘ The possibilities open to us are hugely exciting and they can prepare people – particularly the young – for the future challenges they will face in society.’