A Far Eastern war could favor the Lion class over Vanguard

With the war confined to the Far East, British shipyards could continue capital-ship and carrier construction without bombing or the same material shortages. Greater urgency could accelerate the King George V class and armored carriers, followed by further construction. The Lion-class battleships might then be completed, reducing the need for Vanguard as a way to replace losses quickly. Heavy wartime losses could still create a requirement for such a replacement. British awareness that Japan was building large battleships would also sustain pressure for powerful new capital ships.