New Weapon Technology and the Defence Policy of the British Labour Party

The primary aim of this chapter is to outline the contribution of new weapon technology and in particular of second and third generation precision guided munitions to the defence policy of the British Labour Party. The first section will elucidate Labour's principal objections to nuclear weapons and to NATO's strategy. This leads on to a description of the key assumptions underlying the Party's defence policy and to an analysis of its main aims and priorities. Thus the specific role of new weapon technology in Labour's defence policy can be assessed.