I’ve just watched ‘The Grand Design’, the first episode of ‘Yes, Prime Minister’, in honour of the dual topical subjects of a new prime minister and trident.  In the best traditions of the series it is both thought provoking and very funny.  Although times have changed since 1986, many of the issues have not.  It must be really strange to suddenly finding yourself running a country and writing sealed instructions to the military indicating whether they should retaliate in the event of the whole government being taken out in a nuclear strike.

I’m always reluctant when it comes to pride, especially when applied to national identity.  Saying “I’m proud to be British” has always felt like saying “It is intrinsically better to be British than non-British”, which sounds racist.  In that sense, saying “I’m proud to be European” is no better, as it still implies that being non-European makes you somehow of less value.  However, I do tell my children that I am proud of them.  Although I love them because they are mine, I know they are not intrinsically better than other children just because they are mine.  I can’t help feeling proud of them though, when they do something which I think is a good example to other children.  It doesn’t have to be something perfect, just something that helps, in a small way, to make the world a better place.

If I think about pride in that way, then when my country does something which I think is a good example to other countries I do feel a sense of pride.  London 2012 did give me a sense of pride, as despite all the prior cynicism, I think we did put on a good show for the world.  Our government’s commitment to maintaining our level of overseas aid at a time of austerity at home also gives me a little sense of pride.  It may not be perfect, but it sets an example to others and helps, in a small way, to make the world a better place.

One thing that I noticed was common to the EU referendum campaign and the debate on trident was reflection on the UK’s standing in the world / place in the world order / seat at the top table, however the question of status relative to other countries was being phrased at the time.  My Christian identity makes me uncomfortable thinking about worldly status as an end worthy in itself.  My depression counselling taught me the importance of being comfortable with who I am and of not constantly comparing myself to others.  (My Christian identity would translate this as “the importance of being the person that God has called me to be”.)  I would love my country to be able to find a way to be comfortable with who we all are, and let the rest take care of itself.

As a child growing up under the shadow of the nuclear arms race, I was comforted by the thought in Sting’s 1985 song ‘Russians’ that these obscene weapons wouldn’t be used “If the Russians love their children too.”  Now I look forward to a time when we can look our enemies (by which I mean those that wish to cause us harm) in the face and say “Even if you don’t love your own children enough to keep the peace, we love your children enough to never contemplate the use of such obscene weapons.”  I might not be rivalling Sting as a lyricist, but what if we, as a country, did something really big like being the first country to voluntarily move from possessing some nuclear weapons to possessing none?  Wouldn’t that set an example to the rest of the world and help make the world a better place?  Whilst it wouldn’t immediately result in other nuclear countries rushing to join us, it would show that it is possible to take such a leap of faith.  In an uncertain world, it would be a leap of faith.  For a prime minister and government charged with the responsibility of maintaining our security it would be, as Sir Humphrey would no doubt say, a courageous decision.  But it would give the UK a standing in the world of which I could be truly proud.

Is now the time?  Although I realise that Monday’s vote in the House of Commons was more about political theatre than real decision making, now (in a broader sense of the next few years) is certainly an opportunity.  Once trident is renewed there won’t be a better opportunity until it starts nearing the end of its life again.  I’d like to say “Yes, now is the time”.  But perhaps this is an occasion where my ideals need to be tempered with a bit more realism?