Paxman's question on Newsnight: Do we need a submarine-based nuclear missile system which will cost at least £20bn (and perhaps £65bn over its lifespan) for something we will probably never use? Invited along for the Tories, Penny Mordaunt said "Oh, but we do use it, every day." Naturally we aren't firing it, but apparently, it is a deterrent that comes in handy on a daily basis. Significantly, she didn't say who we were deterring on a daily basis, and no one asked who we were deterring that Germany and Japan, to name but two global powers, were not. So how about it? White elephant in these straightened times or an essential bit of Britain?
Unless you actually have to prove you have it, why not bluff your way around the subject and save the cash. Ain't gonna be masses of anything left if they start being fired, so personally I can't see as it would matter either way.
Short answer - no we don't need it. For an explanation of why I think this look on the "nuclear disarmament" thread...
