This book from Timmon Milne Wallis provides a comprehensive demolition of the arguments for the UK to continue to hold Trident nuclear weapons
Wallis argues in a methodical style,
dismantling the claims of those who favour renewal, whilst providing in a comprehensive
case for the UK to give up its nuclear weapons arsenal and set an example to
the rest of the world.
Much of the detail provided by Wallis
will surprise and alarm many readers. He looks at the limited nature of the
Trident system as a weapon of defence, pointing out that it is mainly aimed at
Russia. Meanwhile, there are many other more pressing threats to UK security
via terrorism, which could include cyber-attacks. There could have been more
here from military experts backing up the argument that funds would be better
used on other forms of defence.
Wallis also dismantles arguments put
forward regarding the possible deterrent value of Trident, mutually assured
destruction theories and the jobs value of the technology to the UK economy. On
the latter point, he argues that cancellation of Trident would cost around
40,000 jobs - which could be replaced in areas such as combatting climate
change.
Two of the most interesting parts of
the book focus on the cost of the weapons system and how independent it is from
US control. Cost estimations seem to vary between around £11 billion up to £167
billion over the whole 30 year period. The larger numbers come by taking in all
of the different aspects of replacing and servicing the systems. Interestingly,
Wallis asserts that if the nuclear weapons system was cancelled today it would
still cost £40 billion to run down up to 2030. Refreshingly Wallis does not go
into the line of rhetoric that equates savings on Trident with the number of
hospitals or schools that could be built with the money.
Wallis leaves the reader in no doubt
that the Trident system is effectively controlled by the US, whilst being paid
for at least in part by the UK taxpayer. “In theory, a British Prime Minister
has the final say on whether to fire Trident and where to fire them. In
practice, the US owns the missiles and produces many of the warhead components.
It controls the software for firing the missiles, targeting them and detonating
them. And except in an undefined emergency situation, Trident is assigned to
NATO and under the command of a US general,” writes Wallis.
There are some sobering recollections
of near misses with nuclear weapons. The chronicling of 14 accidents between
1988 and 2008, involving British nuclear powered submarines. This section is
ended, recalling that the “doomsday clock” on the cover of the Bulletin of Atomic
Scientists, indicating how close editors believe the world is to nuclear war.
It now stands at three minutes to midnight. The clock has moved forward from
five minutes in January 2015. It now stands at the closest point to midnight
since 1983.
This book represents a valuable
addition to the resources available for those seeking to contribute c
to the ongoing debate about whether Britain should retain its Trident nuclear
weapons arsenal. Wallis covers many aspects of the debate from the past history
of nuclear weapons use through deterrent arguments, just war, cost and war and
peace questions. The tone is balanced underlining the dangers but never getting
hysterical. A must read for those who want to know more about the nuclear debate in all its many and often horrific aspects.
Published by Luath Press Ltd Price - £12.99 - reviews published Independent Catholic News - 27/6/2016
Morning Star - 4/7/2016