In June 2021 Payne announced his support for the construction of a new National Flagship. Writing for an industry publication, Payne argued that with the retirement of Britannia, "the UK lost a highly effective ambassador for trade promotion and State diplomacy." A new yacht with British design, equipment and innovation "would be an international showcase for all things British Maritime." Payne however criticized the design released by Prime Minister Boris Johnson's office as "...akin to a 1950s Hull trawler" and "...not such a good idea for a global voyager crossing the Atlantic, Pacific, or even rounding the tip of Africa."
