Lord Owen on the wireless this morning suggested that the very best nuclear deterrent (ICBMs capable of penetrating Moscow’s ABM defences) is no longer necessary but that some kind of nuclear deterrent is until such time as everyone can be persuaded to disarm.

I find it hard to argue with the argument as a whole.

My concerns are with the fiddly technical bits. What if Moscow becomes our foe again? What if Moscow modernises its ABM defences? What if no one else agrees to nuclear disarmament?