The UK is unique among major powers for being dependent on another nation for the long-term viability of its nuclear forces. Even though the use of the deterrent remains under the sole control of its own politicians and naval officers, because we use shared missile and reactor technology with the US, the UK ultimately relies on America for equipment and know-how.
This is one of the facts of our current nuclear position – a political reality that is neither perfect nor pretty. It is something Andy Burnham will have to wrestle with if he is as serious as he claims to be about rearmament. The most glaring issue is the question of budget. So far, the Burnham administration has enjoyed a summer fortnight of handing out relatively small amounts of money. The nuclear question is far more existential, involving choice and sacrifice not only about budgets, but also about what sort of power Britain wants to be.