"So a country that doesn't buy F-35 (or F-22 I suppose) might not even make the ATO. "
Orca, why is this a necessarily a bad thing?
Speciifically what do GB lose from not taking part in one of the US's little foreign policy adventures?
Would having the funds to truly be able to defend and protect our own interests and borders not be a preferable situation than being able to say we can play with the big boys (when they need a political cloak) yet can only field a military that is essentially a very small component part of the US forces and cannot defend Britain in a meaningful way at all.
If that is what you are advocating GB should simply apply to be the 50whatever it is state or dis-arm!