Does Boris Johnson’s plans for a flagship really signal a new dawn?

Boris Johnson has announced a new national flagship or, as he says, the “first vessel of its kind in the world, reflecting the UK’s burgeoning status as a great, independent maritime trading nation”.

Although the ship may not be ready for another three to four years, it would be expected to be in service for around 30 years. It would be crewed by the royal navy.

Labour has been swift to point out that the cost of the project – which the prime minister has repeatedly thrown his support behind in recent years – would be better spent on other elements of the economy. The shadow treasury chief secretary, Bridget Phillipson, has said that the government needs to layout exactly how the ship will help boost trade. Some estimates have put the cost at up to £200m.

One reader has labelled it a “vanity project” for the prime minister. Given the picture painted by Dominic Cummings of the way Downing Street was being run during the pandemic (although he is obviously not the most reliable of narrators) then you can hardly blame some for thinking that such announcements are more folly.

Others will be craving some positive news – and this announcement certainly fits into that category, if you are in the camp that the new ship will be part of building for a brighter future.

Personally, I feel the statement – which was light on information – is not enough, but perhaps the government will enlighten us all in due course. At the moment, I’d be of the opinion there are better ways to use those funds – particularly as we move towards the end of the Covid-19 lockdown.

Yours,

Chris Stevenson

Voices editor