Prince Philip: Dr Sarah Jarvis criticises £200m yacht plans

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People who are opposed to public money being spent on a new Royal Yacht have signed a petition in their thousands. The ship is expected to be called HMS Prince Philip and will replace the decommissioned HMY Britannia. The ship would be used to promote British business overseas by hosting trade negotiations, diplomatic talks, mooring at trade fairs, and sailing across the world.

The yacht could cost up to £200 million and millions more in annual upkeep.

At the time of writing, a petition entitled ‘Cancel plans to commission a new Royal Yacht’ has received more than 7,000 signatures.

If the petition reaches 10,000, the Government must respond and at 100,000 the petition will be considered for debate in Parliament.

Text accompanying the petition reads: “The Government is considering commissioning a new Royal Yacht in the next few weeks. This petition asks that the Yacht not be commissioned.

“Building a new Royal Yacht using any public money is wrong. This is especially true in the current financial climate where spending on humanitarian programs has been cut as we fight to survive this pandemic.

“Money needs to be invested to recover our economy and support the people who need it.”

A recent YouGov poll found that 47 percent of Britons oppose the move to commission a new Royal Yacht versus 29 percent who approve.

People have taken to social media to share their thoughts. One man said: “So wait a second, we can’t give the NHS a pay rise, or fix the potholes that are trashing my car, but we can build a big ol’ super yacht?”

Another said: “They should put the yacht up against alternatives where the money could be spent and let us make the decision. I’d rather give it to medical staff or schools.”

A third fumed: “This is an outrageous use of public money. No money for nurses or the NHS, austerity, food banks, homelessness, global pandemic, large scale unemployment but yes there needs to be a new Royal Yacht.”

The building of the ship is expected to be revealed by Boris Johnson “within weeks”.

A spokesman said: “The Prime Minister has an exciting vision for shipbuilding in this country and is committed to making the UK a shipbuilding superpower.

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“We are always looking for new ways to promote global Britain around the world, driving investment back to the UK and delivering value for money.”

Prince Philip sailed 70,000 miles on last yacht Britannia before it was decommissioned in 1997.

Conservative MP Craig Mckinlay has campaigned for a replacement for Britannia. He said: “A new national flagship proudly bearing the name of Prince Philip can be no better memorial to this much-loved and respected man.

“I am delighted that the years of effort to prove to ministers the value of such a vessel to our country’s global brand is now on the brink of becoming reality.

“My latest joint letter signed by fellow MPs and peers may have helped get this project over the line. I am overjoyed.”

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