I WAS sad when the Labour government, in what I thought was a show of ‘class envy’, made the decision to decommission the Royal Yacht Britannia.

It was such an ambassador, showing prestige to the world and allowing overseas heads of state and other important people on board, who were influential to our export industry.

This Olympics and Queen’s Jubilee Year could be just the right time for a rethink and to reinstate a portion of our country’s pride with a new Britannia.

If done well, it could be such a great showcase that could be sailed into every major port.

Now, at last, it seems we have a government that is to tackle ‘the elephant in the room’ — that ‘something for nothing’ attitude that has become a comfortable and acceptable way of life for many.

I also like the fact that marriage is to be recognised as one of the best ways in which to bring up children.

Oh yes, I know that single mothers do a great job, but so many children grow up without ever having a strong relationship with, or knowledge of, a male role model, which is not a good thing.

I read about one unemployed young man who was drawing benefits say when asked to do voluntary work, while he didn’t have a job, ‘no blooming fear, why should I work for nothing?’ He was quite ignoring the fact that the country, via his benefits, was already paying him.

A friend asked the other day about the best advice I had received from my mum and I remembered the night before my wedding cringing, fearing an embarrassing lecture on the birds and bees as she sat me down for a few words on keeping marriage happy.

But the serious words were much more as she held my hands and said ‘Margaret, always make your bed, then they’ll think you have done the bedroom, always clean the fireplace, then they’ll think you have cleaned up and always lay the table, then they’ll think the tea’s ready.’ Not what I was expecting, but useful nevertheless.