David Cameron and Ed Miliband show rare unity over UK flagship Second, it's going to give once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to young people: to sail; to research; to learn about marine life. Third - and crucially - all this is going to be achieved without a penny of taxpayer's money, giving us a great new national asset at absolutely no cost to the public purse. For all these reasons I am right behind this project. I wish the good flagship every success - and look forward to seeing her hit the high seas in the years to come. The Royal Yacht Britannia was decommissioned 15 years ago, and Education Secretary Michael Gove's proposal to give the Queen a taxpayer-funded yacht for her Diamond Jubilee was criticised by Labour earlier this year. But Mr Miliband also expressed his backing for the project and its trustees, who have launched an appeal for donations. "The Diamond Jubilee showed everything that is best about our country - in communities across our country the young and old came together in celebration and national pride," he said. I applaud the campaign to privately fund a new charity-owned UK Flagship, seeking to build on that spirit. The cause of youth opportunity, to which this project is partly dedicated, is absolutely essential at a time when we need to give young people hope for the future.