The Second Wilson Government and the Maintenance of Polaris, 1966–1970

Abstract

Military force is to protect the territory of the state, or to conquer that of an enemy; the territory on the other hand, constantly nourishes and renovates the military force.

Carl von Clausewitz, On War

Whether to improve Polaris became a substantial issue following Labour’s re-election in 1966, and the issue was principally driven by the rapid advances of both defensive anti-ballistic missile and offensive MIRV technology. These developments led many senior officials to question whether the country could afford to stay the technological course and counter these advances.¹ At this time British defence policy was undergoing a radical change, following the abandonment of most of its extra-European commitments as a consequence of the defence review conducted between 1966 and 1968.²