I don’t think it’s as black and white as people are suggesting.
Having maaam go all around the world in a Royal Yacht probably does generate income for this country. Very hard to quantify, but I’d imagine it gives a many countries confidence in us and makes them feel all warm and fuzzy.
The jubilee celebrations will also bring a return in tourist income.
The timing of the Olympics couldn’t come at a better time for Britain, and I think there’s something to be said for celebrating some of the things that put us in the minds of people worldwide.
On the other hand – Gove should have made all this stuff clear in the letter and not made it sound like it was robbing everyone to pay for a fancy gift!