Blair on Trident: how nuclear doctrine is decided

As 2010 sees the exit of the Labour government, the public can turn to the autobiographies of Blair and Mandelson for a reminder of the past thirteen years. Blair, characteristically, proves the more revealing read on defence matters.

In discussing the 2007 decision to renew Trident, Blair admits he 'hesitated over it', acknowledging 'clearly the force of the common sense and practical argument against Trident'. But he offers no counter-argument in favour — only his reasoning for siding against renewal on grounds of cost, pragmatism, and international military strategy.

So what ultimately decided the matter? In Blair's own words: 'In the end, we both agreed, as I said to him: imagine standing up in the House of Commons and saying I've decided to scrap it. We're not going to say that, are we? In this instance caution, costly as it was, won the day.'

And that, apparently, is that.