The problem is that the Saudi royals had made deals with the Wahhabi clergy that enabled them to unify what is now Saudi Arabia, and had continued the subsidies to provide a religious backing to their government. The problem was, and is, that they have created a monster that if they stop feeding it will turn on them. Possibly if shortly after the House of Saud more or less unifying the country they then turn on the Wahhabi and manage to get British support (some troops and money) they might be able to do this. I am not well enough informed to say whether or not had the House of Saud had not made this devil's bargain would they have been able to achieve political primacy.