A lot of the lobbying in support of the carriers, esspecially from the Scottish government and Scottish MPs, is based on the negative impact on jobs (and skills?) in Scotland that a cancellation would have - rather than any strategic need for carriers as such.
Once again we return to the basic question - is (part) of the purpose of the defence budget to create/maintain jobs in this country?
Answers on a postcard to Mr D Cameron, 10 Downing Street.......
Oh yes, and what are these shipyards going to build when/if the carriers are finished?