I suspect that the reason was to avoid the slightest risk of irritating the Argentines. After all, if the government is slightly concerned that celebrating Christmas in the UK could upset people...
The controversy over the SHAR wouldn't actually have featured that much, surely? As the title of this thread suggests, Joe Public is likely to believe the line that the fleet doesn't require an AD aircraft but needs more ground attack potential, particularly if someone (like the then-AOC 3 Group) says that the move is a good idea (as he did in at least one publication).
I fear that you assume too much public concern with defence cutbacks as well. Defence was an important issue for the grand total of 2% of the electorate in the 2001 (or was it '97?) election. It's always two or three days of fuss, then the story is overtaken by something more important. Like a footballer forgetting to take a drugs test and getting upset when he's told off
