It’s not healthy to dwell too long on the actual practicalities of nuclear deterrence, but just imagine the following scenario for a moment: London, Birmingham and Manchester have fallen, the British state reduced to radioactive rubble. There is no more military command; even Radio 4 is silent. Thousands of miles away, somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic, the letters of last resort — sealed instructions from the late British prime minister that until now were locked in a safe — have been opened for the very first time: “Retaliate.”
The commander of HMS Vanguard puts away the letters, and instructs his crew: “Missiles for strategic launch”. Checks are completed, the final order is given, the red trigger is pressed: nuclear missiles are
