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Now we have fully left the orbit of the European Union, we have the opportunity to consider the possibilities of ‘Global Britain’. We have long punched above our weight internationally. Whilst our Empire and role as a Global superpower are long gone, the UK can still be (and should be) a force for good around the world.
Our permanent place on the UN security council (whatever you think of that body), leading role in NATO (but beware of the upcoming Defence review), central role in the Commonwealth (see UN comment), proximity to Europe (see UN comment again!), getting our seat at the WTO back, having a leading global Financial centre- and many other factors- all place the UK at the worlds crossroads. One of our problems with EU membership was it gave us a regional mindset, not a global one. We were like a ‘pot-bound’ plant, unable to fully flourish.
Our commitment to free and open markets, the rule of law, individual rights and democracy are needed now as much as ever. And as we leave the EUs single market and customs union, being able to set our own tariffs and Trade deals, there’s a potential role for us as global free-trade champions.
All of which leads us to consider how British expertise, experience and influence can best be used?
We are a maritime and sea-faring nation, that has travelled, traded, lived and worked around the world for centuries (and will long after BrExit). What has worked in the past, that might also work today? The old Royal Yacht Britannia- launched in 1954, scrapped in 1997- is an inspiring example and pointer for the future. However any future version would, in my opinion, need some changes as we shall see.
The first of the super-yachts, she became one of the most famous ships in the world, covering over a 1 million miles during her 970 voyage, 44 year career. She visited 600 ports and cities in 135 countries. She was able to reach places where there was no nearby airport. Many Heads of State came on board, including in its later years US Presidents Reagan and Clinton. Business leaders were frequently invited too, and as an example, the heads of Boeing and Rolls-Royce signed a $200m trade contract after meeting onboard in Los Angeles.
(Some of this information is from the Channel 5 TV programme Secrets of the Royal Yachts, which you may be able to view again via your TV or online. In that programme it was revealed that Britannia had a reserved role as an evacuation ship for the Royal family in the event of nuclear war).
She could seat up to 60 for a State dinner and did so nearly 1000 times. 300 guests could be entertained for a reception. The ship was a global Ambassador for Britain, especially to the Commonwealth, with or without Her Majesty on board. On the longer journeys, she would sometimes fly to meet the ship and it would be used as a floating Embassy. Trade deals were signed and it is reckoned the ship more than paid for itself. Her last Official duty was the 1997 Hong Kong handover.
She is now moored in Leith harbour near Edinburgh and is the most popular visitor attraction in Scotland. William Hague remembers how, as the Welsh Secretary and with no Royals on board, he travelled in Britannia to Boston. Senior US business leaders flocked on board, some travelling long distances, to hear about investing in Wales. As he says, they would not have come to hear him speak in a hotel conference room! The article is here:
As Hague recounts, the Yacht was scrapped without replacement by New Labour. It didn’t fit their ‘New Labour- New Britain- Cool Britannia not Rule Britannia’ narrative. It was the only time the Queen shed a tear in public.
Now, with BrExit, we have the opportunity to re-new, re-position and re-purpose our country. We need to be more globally facing to take full advantage. Europe is in decline and 90% of future global economic growth will come from outside the EU. Most of us have heard of the BRICs- Brazil, Russia, India, China. There’s now talk of the MINTs- Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, Turkey. These 4 countries have growing economies and burgeoning populations already totalling 600m plus. They will want all the ‘stuff’ we already have (but I do worry that unless we’re careful they’ll end up buying most of it from China).
So the case for a new ‘Royal Yacht’ hoves into view. But, in my view, with a few significant tweaks.
I forsee it being a multi-purpose National ship. Part floating Embassy, part Trade mission, part Disaster relief and Humanitarian aid, part Hospital ship, part Government use and Royal use too of course. There is for example a Christian ministry that operates ‘mercy ships’ (www.mercyships.org.uk) visiting mainly sub-Saharan Africa with medical facilities, including an operating theatre. So it can be done, and there is a need for it. What better use of our ever-increasing Foreign Aid budget?
Being able to mis-represent the Ship as something for a few Royals to ‘swan around’ in on holiday will give nay-saying critics an early win. It will not win public support on that basis. It very much needs to be seen as a working ship (as Britannia was). The word Yacht is perhaps unfortunate, as it conjures up images in the public mind of private leisure. So it should be framed as a working Ship, as the public perception will be vital.
How to fund it though? I suggest a shared budget between Foreign office, International aid budget, Business dept and ministry of Defence. Someone will have to knock inter-departmental heads together, I suspect it will need Boris to get behind it. The Telegraph has been campaigning for a replacement, as have some Conservative MPs for example Andrea Jenkyns.
An article from 2016 from the Telegraph that includes a 1997 replacement design can be found here:
I suggest it is operated and crewed by the Royal Navy (as Britannia was). And keep the name. It should be possible to have a helicopter and hanger on board (Britannia didn’t). That would substantially increase the Ships capability and reach. It would have to be built in the UK of course, perhaps at a Scottish yard. I'm sure Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP would be most grateful!
Let the Ship be an advert for Britain and leverage our ‘soft power’. With its Royal connections, let it have a pulling power that money can’t buy for overseas Politicians and business Leaders. Let it fly the flag around the world, promoting trade and the Commonwealth.Of course there will be those who will say ‘it can’t be done’. What about the cost, the security concerns? I can already hear the chorus of negative gloom-mongers who are desperate for post-BrExit Britain to be a failure.
But post-BrExit the case is a strong one, and (if used properly) the Ship would more than pay for itself in Trade promotion and deals. It can be done, and it should be done.
So let’s keep the pressure up, perhaps write to your MP on it?
Copyright Tim Scott 23/7/20
