In the 1912 naval-estimates debate, Beresford challenged the government's handling of competition with Germany. He argued that reaching a two-to-one dreadnought ratio in the earlier years would have required an impractical programme, costing another £20 million for that class alone without supporting vessels, personnel, or coal. His preferred alternative was a large defence programme launched earlier, when money was cheaper and trade was booming. He claimed it could have prepared industry and discouraged competition. Churchill objected when Beresford characterized government policy as a direct threat to Germany. These were competing arguments about the scale, timing, and diplomatic presentation of naval construction.
Notable Point · 2:32:02-2:37:04
Beresford's alternative to two keels for one
Beresford argued that a large earlier building programme would have secured imperial defence without a public ship-for-ship threat to Germany.