Cooper wrote:The vote can't be delayed, the time frame is set for the introduction of the first boat in 2028.
I'm not sure that there's such a thing as "can't be delayed" in British military procurement.
It has already been delayed once, there can't be another one for military and industrial reasons, it has to be 2016.
It's already been delayed once to politically benefit the Conservative government. While I don't think it's likely they'll delay it again, I'm not ruling it out because it does present some political advantages for the government.
jonas wrote:Why would they delay it when they have been going full steam ahead for the last couple of years, in the face of much criticism even from their coalition partners. They have already committed hundreds of millions to the project, BAE are also committing heavily so it would be in no ones interests to delay.
I explained the possible motivation for delay in the post you're replying to. I don't think it's likely which is why I used words like "possibly" and "might", but I wouldn't rule out the possibility entirely. Though in reality they'd probably only be able to delay it for a few months at most before the Conservative backbenchers got restless.
If Corbyn gets the leadership, labour will split and the whole socialiast movement will be left in shreds.It would take them years in that case to once again form any credible opposition. The SNP are an irritant at most, only the Greens and whats left of the Liberals would vote with them, so no contest
I think that I explained many months ago during the general election campaign that no matter what happened there'd be more than enough support between the Conservative MP's and Labour MP's to pass the Successor Programme bill. As for what will happen to Labour under Corbyn, well there are a few possibilities, none of them particularly great.
No, I am sure the Tory's are fully committed to the timescale for successor.
I'm sure that they are, but since they've not been shy about backing off or delaying other things that they've been fully committed to for political expediency or advantage it's worth pointing out the potential political reasons why they might look to delay a vote.