For my 2 peneth worth:
We need MRA4, we need it now. The full list of its missions and tasks is not for publishing on this forum, but believe me it is very extensive! Someone in government/MOD/Defense is missing the point in a pretty huge way. Simply put we now have NOTHING to plug the gaps left by the demise of the MR2 and the cancellation of the MRA4; from ASW to long range SAR to SF Special Mission requirements and everything inbetween, the MRA4 would have been a mega capable platform and with a bit of tweaking and a (relatively) small amount of extra funding, who knows what capability it might have brought to the party!
How can they (those in power) make such stupid decisions?
Its not just about money.........