Daily Lessons from Life 16 January 2012 - British government sinks royal jubilee yacht suggestion

"British government sinks royal jubilee yacht suggestion - AFP 16 January 2012

LONDON - Britain's government on Monday torpedoed suggestions by a minister that taxpayers could pay for a new royal yacht to mark the diamond jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

Education minister Michael Gove made the proposal in a letter to Culture minister Jeremy Hunt, saying the queen's "highly significant contribution" to Britain and the Commonwealth deserved a "lasting legacy".

But a spokesman for Prime Minister David Cameron ruled out the suggestion, saying it was not in keeping with the tough austerity measures brought in by his Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition.

"On the issue of a royal yacht, clearly when it comes to the issue of public money, I don't think this would be an appropriate use of public money, given the state of the nation's finances," the spokesman told reporters.

"In the first instance, the entire question of whether or not there should be a new royal yacht is a question for the palace not the government."

The main opposition Labour party said Gove was "out of touch" to think such expenditure was appropriate when school budgets were being cut as part of the austerity measures."

I never thought I would ever say this about the British government: Well done! You have proven me wrong that you can actually make sense!!

Lessons for me are:

1. what lies or muddled-headed arguments one can come up with to spend 60m pounds on showing appreciation for the Queen's 'great' contribution to UK and the Commonwealth when school budgets were cut and the economy in dire straits! This from a Minister!! He is totally a sick sentimental person with no sense of responsibility as he probably CAN afford the cut school budget!!;

2. there is NO place for sentimentality. Muddled-heading thinking has NO place in the cabinet!! He should be roundly reprimanded by the PM and send for corrective training to get his bearing right. That he is to serve the people and NOT suck up to Royalty!! LOL!!;

3. honestly, WHAT contributions has the Queen done for UK and the Commonwealth except to spend the money that the royal household still gets from the public? It is not for me to fight this battle as I am NOT a royalty friendly person. The British public has to decide if they still want to keep this out-dated anarchy thingy.

One up for the British government. :-)