British Prime Minister Boris Johnson offered to build a flagship vessel, which should enter the ports around the world and promote the interests of the British business abroad, but faced criticism of his plan, reports Associated Press (AP).
The project causes associations with the left era, when the royal yacht demonstrated the world the greatness of the British Empire – “Master of the Seas”, and just in this is the problem, said Peter Ricketts, a resignant diplomat and an independent member of the House of Lords.
“The fact that no one else has such a ship, in my opinion, is associated with the fact that the idea has long been outdated. There are more modern ways to show the world of Technology of Britain,” said Ricketts.
In the opposition Labor Party, in turn, advised Johnson to find the best use for taxpayers money – send them to investments in the Green Economy and Health.
The new flagship, according to Johnson, should reflect the status of Britain as a great and independent country leading maritime trade. The cost of the ship, according to the media, can reach about 200 million pounds.
It is assumed that the vessel should be ready for four years: it should go to the ports around the world during the prime minister visits, becoming a platform for international summits and fairs.