England's always punched above its weight in international affairs - delusions of empire - or just the consequences of an economy that has to keep expanding to keep pace with an expanding population.

Whatever the reason, a natural consequence of that, is that we have rolling programme of getting involved with adventures like The Falklands, and Iraq. And if we don't have a nuclear deterrent, then it gives the Galtieris and and Saddam Husseins an incentive to get hold of a nuclear device to get them out of a tight spot.

I don't see either of the major political parties planning a major politcal rethink on this point. Why should they, when Neil Kinnock got a very bloody nose, for trying to imagine an England without a nuclear deterrent.

Basically the Murdoch empire will line up behind the armaments industry and blow any major politician's head off - anyone who dares to put their head above the parapet on that one.