As I recall, our then PM, Mr Brown signed the contract with BAE Systems for the carriers.
The deal was that BAE Sys got paid the same amount whether they built them, or the ships got cancelled.
QED, may as well build them.....
In Rosyth, which is in Browns constituency...
I mean, what chance have we with cnuts like Brown running things?
Edit to add: I seem to recall a spokesman for BAE Sys' commenting:
'it is a contract struck between consenting adults', or some similar wording.
ie, a bargain that was unjustifiable by him- but legal.