If Great Britain sees its future as fighting more overseas, pre emptive strike etc, this is obviously best from an aircraft carrier as it has less restrictions.
And I'm sure, being the level-headed, non-partisan person you are you pointed out the flaws in such logic to your 'friend'?
Less restrictions? Yeah none of the 'dodgy' nations of the world have SSKs and anti-ship missiles. Filling holes in runways is slightly easier than raising previously floating runways off the sea bed.
Simplistic? Indeed, but no less so than blanket statements of aircraft carriers having less restrictions.