Why the York class looked like cut-price Counties

Is Exeter the preferred British eight-inch cruiser?

No. Exeter's name and crew are admired, but a reduced County is less attractive unless the saving buys a larger fleet.

Exeter has an admired name and crew, but her design is criticized as a cut-price County. The compromise would be easier to accept if it bought four ships for the resources otherwise needed for three Counties. The preference turns on whether reduced individual capability produces a worthwhile increase in fleet numbers. Without that benefit, the smaller design remains the less attractive choice.