"It [the carrier] also has the ability to pre-emptively deploy to an area without any negotiations. No political deals with other countries required. No expensive hotels. No security risks to personnel. The ability to launch and recover without the ever present risk of dickers passing that info on."
As a lifetime civilian I hesitate to express a view in such experienced (though mainly polarised) company. But in this totally unpredictable world we need both capabilities, IMO, and we need them now.
The (2010 SDSR?) decision to revert to a unique, STOVL mode came strangely from a coalition government and PM advocating increased military cooperation with the EU, and fully committed to NATO. Now Dave promises us jam in a mere 8 years from now (don't hold your breath), by which time the world is likely to be a different place. The F-35B relies on an outdated and flawed concept over half a century after Hawkers rejected it in favour of the inspired P1127. It may well be a lemon. Sharkey's utterances may be ill-advised, partial and OTT but - if you guys are honest - much of his frustration is shared by all of us.
As someone suggested yesterday, the costs of hitting Daesh should be paid for out of our ring-fenced budget for foreign-aid - because that's precisely what it represents.