What is Wrong with Britain’s Existing Defence Policy?

Abstract

In the opinion of its supporters, Britain’s nuclear deterrent has been a success. They argue that it has helped to keep the peace in Europe for a record period of time, that it has given Britain status in the world and that it has been relatively cheap. In short, they assert that it has worked at an acceptable cost: so why change a winner? On first sight these sound plausible arguments: but they are too simple. As will be seen below, the criticisms which can be levelled against the ‘independent nuclear deterrent’ are numerous. Some of them will be quite familiar, and need not be rehearsed at length. Others, made against the particular policy of the present government by pro-nuclear strategists, will be addressed by John Baylis in Part II.