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Blair initiated it, but Brown was the driving force behind it seeing as how it so positively impacted on the voters in his constituency.
The coalition government had to re-negotiate the contract when they came into power to stop the costs spiralling out of control, which they managed to do. However, the F35 suite of aircraft have been another matter over which the governments since 2010 have had no control over. Way over budget, and still suffering from teething problems.
The coalition government had to weigh up whether it was better value for money to go for a conventional catapult take-off with a larger carrier to cater for that type of aircraft, or choose the smaller carrier with STOL aircraft. The latter is claimed to be better value to the taxpayer, although the F35B aircraft is more expensive than the A or C variants. It is also way behind schedule.
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