Supreme Emergency: How Britain Lives with the Bomb

During a supreme emergency, an ex-Trident submarine captain examines the evolution of UK nuclear deterrence policy and the implications of a previously unacknowledged aversion to military strategies that threaten civilian casualties. The book provides a unique synthesis of the factors affecting British nuclear policy decision-making and draws parallels between government debates about reprisals for First World War zeppelin raids on London, the strategic bombing raids of the Second World War, and the evolution of the UK nuclear deterrent. It concludes that since 1915, aversion to condoning civilian casualties has hindered government engagement with the public on deterrence strategy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2022
Publisher: Manchester University Press

In the face of a supreme emergency, an ex-Trident submarine captain delves into the evolution of UK nuclear deterrence policy and uncovers a previously unacknowledged reluctance to employ military strategies that pose risks to civilian lives. Through extensive archival research, the book offers a distinctive synthesis of the factors influencing British nuclear policy decision-making, drawing parallels between government discussions about retaliating for First World War zeppelin raids on London, the strategic bombing campaigns of the Second World War, and the development of the UK nuclear deterrent. The conclusion reached is that, among all the technical considerations, a deep-seated aversion to being perceived as condoning civilian casualties has hindered government engagement with the public on deterrence strategy since 1915. This insightful exploration sheds light on the complex dynamics shaping UK nuclear policy and its historical context, providing valuable insights into the nation's security posture.

Weight: 464g
Dimension: 151 x 223 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526147363