we can't afford it and in the grand scheme of things we therefore don't need it.
Squirrel,
Pardon the pun, but you've missed the boat. They are being built and are already mostly paid for. Having spent the last week in Gib (75deg down here), gearing up is already underway. Gib can handle a CVF without dredging and she and her airgroup can be in the middle east in 2 days and ready for action. Far far quicker than any land based assets from the UK in the numbers required ready to go. Once ops in the 'Stan are over, the plan is for carrier strike to take over the bulk of tactical strike tasking USN style. The F35B vs C debate is still ongoing, but the staff I have met with expect it to meet all the KURs and the alleged range/payload issues are not a problem as they significantly exceed the GR9A.
These are purple assets. The Army has recognised this, only one service is clinging on to the past. Adapt.