Isn't Stanhope already over 60? Also I would have thought his inability to get on with the other Services would be a black mark against him, just as it is for CAS. OTOH I have heard he is best mates with Cameron (which doesn't fit in with all the stories told by the RN but heyho!)
Bismark your view of defence's priorities could be seen as slightly service oriented! The Army probably see reconfiguring to a viable 82k man Army as quite important. Also going by General Whatever's speech in the Lords, Vanguard might not get replaced - there are far cheaper ways of still being able to say we have nukes when you know you will never use them than purpose built SSBNs (can't honestly see that happening though).
Agree on Wall or Houghton.
The great thing about this thread, unlike many others, is that we will see who is right in a few months - someone bookmark it up and resurrect it.