Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Michael Gove is a former journalist and keen monarchist. David Jones/PA Archive/Press Association Images
One's boat

Fit for a Queen: British minister suggests a yacht for diamond jubilee

Michael Gove believes that Her Majesty deserves “a gift from the nation” to mark the diamond jubilee.

WHAT DO YOU get the Queen who most likely has everything?

Well the answer is of course a yacht which has been helpfully suggested by one UK government minister as a present for Her Majesty’s diamond jubilee. The celebrations to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s 60th year as, eh, Queen will take place in June and Education Secretary Michael Gove has suggested that it should be marked with a gift “from the nation”, the Guardian reports exclusively today.

Even though that nation is currently experiencing tough spending cuts and heightened austerity, Gove suggests the “excellent suggestion” of his colleague Universities Minister David Willetts for a royal yacht at a cost of £60 million would be a good one.

“In spite, and perhaps because of the austere times, the celebration should go beyond those of previous jubilees and mark the greater achievement that the diamond anniversary represents,” Gove writes in a letter to Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt who is overseeing the celebrations. His suggestion has been criticised by the opposition.

For more, read the full story on Guardian.co.uk >

Your Voice
Readers Comments
27
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.