Squirrel,
Sadly, the future of the RN is CVF and its strike capability. Without a central core of capability the requirement for frigates, destroyers, subs etc pales into insignificance and such ships will be decimated to but a very few. The amphib force does not provide such a capability even though it does fulfil the politicians requirement for "expeditionary". If ever a conflict (over resources) against a major state (India, China, Japan) occurs he without a CV capability may find himself in a difficult position - the Army and wider Air Force will not be much use in the early days of diplomacy and fevered politicking - and the US may not be overly keen to provide us with the support we need.
I am all for strong forces of all colours, but when there is no major conflict occurring to keep the Army busy (and Afghanistan will not last for too many more years) it has always been the RN that has provided the Government with the tools to achieve their wider aims.
Finningley,
I can think of no-one in the RN who gives any credence to words uttered by Lewis Page or his book. Sadly the media still turn to him for comment.