The HMS Vengeance is shown returning to Naval Base Clyde. The Vengeance carries the Trident ballistic missile, Britain's nuclear deterrent. (Tam McDonald/Royal Navy)
Posted on 07/14/2016 5:18:40 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
After a tumultuous few weeks in British politics, Theresa May officially became Britain's prime minister on Wednesday.
The day was full of tradition and pomp. Her predecessor, David Cameron, traveled to Buckingham Palace to formally tender his resignation to Queen Elizabeth II and announce May as his successor. The queen then met May at the palace, asked her if she can form a government and then formally asked her to do so. May became the 13th prime minister to air-kiss the hand of the queen, who is 90 years old.
But aside from all the pageantry, there's some serious weight to the day. Not only will May have to form a functioning government and deal with Britain's eventual exit from the European Union — she will also soon have to write a "letter of last resort" for use in the event of a devastating nuclear attack on Britain.
This letter is a handwritten note to the commanders of Trident missile submarines on patrol. These four submarines carry nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missiles that could cause a devastating atomic explosion halfway across the world: Since 1998, they have been Britain's sole operating nuclear weapons system. At least one of these submarines is always on patrol in a secret location, ready to fire its weapons should something calamitous happen.
In theory, only Britain's prime minister or a second designated person (chosen by the prime minister but not publicly identified) can give the launch order. The letter of last resort is designed to give instructions if both are no longer alive or are completely out of contact. It is placed in a safe in each submarine, only to be opened if Britain's government is wiped out.
The letter details a number of different options for reactions in different scenarios.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
The HMS Vengeance is shown returning to Naval Base Clyde. The Vengeance carries the Trident ballistic missile, Britain's nuclear deterrent. (Tam McDonald/Royal Navy)
“May became the 13th prime minister to air-kiss the hand of the queen, who is 90 years old.”
What is an ‘air-kiss’?
You gotta love a boat named “Vengeance.”
I wish we were as straightforward in our sub and ship naming.
I can’t wait for the uss obozo: a garbage scow that runs on hot air.
Kissing the hand of the Sovereign is the traditional way a British Prime Minister accepts their commission from the King or Queen. In actual fact, they rarely actually make real lip to hand contact, so it’s an air-kiss. That’s all it means.
This reminds of the TV series “The Game.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Game_(UK_TV_series)#Plot
>>I wish we were as straightforward in our sub and ship naming.
When I served, SSBNs were named after great Americans, even if they weren’t technically American. Mine was Lafayette. So much better than naming them after states to suck up to politicians.
Of course if we named the after “great Americans” now, some poor submariners would be out sailing around in the Malcolm X or the USS The Kardashians.
If the British government has been wiped out, it’s long past time to release the hounds of hell on it’s enemies.
>>the USS The Kardashians.<<
Put her in the water on her back and she would NEVER sink!
The new leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May (L) kneels as she is greeted by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (R)
at the start of an audience in Buckingham Palace in central London on July 13, 2016
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