'Is this the beginning of the end for Britain as a nuclear power?' asks the Sunday Express, worried about the appointment of new Defence Secretary Philip Hammond - a man who, heavens above, has never voted in favour of Trident replacement in Parliament.
The answer to the Express's question is no, as Hammond has made it clear that, as a loyal Conservative, he is "absolutely committed" to replacing Trident. However, unlike his predecessor Liam Fox, who made no secret of his enthusiasm for the UK's nuclear weapons, Hammond will probably take a much more objective and rational view of the subject.
According to the Express, Mr Hammond "is viewed with trepidation by senior military and defence experts, who rate him a 'budget man', not a 'deep defence thinker' ... His record is causing concern among military figures".
Given the Ministry of Defence's dreadful record for spending over budget and wasting money, that's probably a good thing. In the current economic climate we need someone at the helm who can match security priorities to the cash available. The reason that the pro-Trident brigade at the Ministry of Defence are worried about Mr Hammond is that they know perfectly well that the economic and military case for replacing Trident is thin, and they can't expect such an easy ride from him as from his predecessor.
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