Book read: The Secret State by Peter Hennessy

An interesting account of how the government prepared itself in the cold war for the possible nuclear attack. The book is based on now declassified documents from the 50s and 60s, although it seems much is still restricted.

It makes a good case for Britain even having a nuclear deterrent during this time. The thinking was that Russia would look to knock out the US forward base of Britain, and we might not be able to count on their assistance in the event of a wider war between the two superpowers.

The difficulty of having such a deterrent is interesting, the sheer financial cost - the move from air power (V bombers) to submarine based launching meant in reality we were always dependent on American know how and programmes to provide our own weapons.

Other interesting aspects are the now decommissioned underground bunkers outside of Bath. This is where government would have fled to in the event of war. The question of if they could have even got there is also raised. This reminds me of the Yes Minister sketch "in the event of complete destruction of the UK, of course government must go on!"

It also covers current day the nuclear deterrent. Each Prime Minister has to have his sealed wishes carried on the Trident boats in the event that there is no time to give a direct command from the UK.

If the on duty commander believes the UK has suffered a nuclear attack (one of the tests for this is not being able to receive Radio 4 for a few days running!) then he is to act on the sealed instructions. Apparently the options the PM has to choose from on taking office are:

1. Head for America and put yourself under US command.
2. Head for Austrailia.
3. Retaliate against the nation who attacked.
4. Use your own judgment.

It seems that much is still secret, strange really but much of this book makes chilling reading and a timely reminder of the world we used to live in.