` May 2006 (UTC)  :: Ah, now this is a very interesting question, especially having in mind a curious concept in the 'unwritten' constitution of the UK, that of the Crown and royal prerogative - through which ministers including the Prime Minister derive their executive authority. The Prime Minister, acting in his capacity as a crown officer, can ask for a nuclear strike. However the Prime Minister, unlike the President of the US, is not a commissioned officer in HM Forces and therefore cannot order any serving member of the armed forces to do anything and require them to obey. Instead, s\he will ask the Chief of the Defence Staff (who is a commisioned officer) to order the launch. This, in theory, provides a safeguard against a particularly despotic Prime Minister ``going rogue`` and ordering a nuclear strike on their own. In practice, however, it is unlikely this distinction would be observed - especially in a crisis situation likely to require nuclear retaliation. Further complications arise due to submarine based Trident weapons and the envelopes on-board. This whole topic is explored in much more detail in the book ``The Secret State - Britain and the Cold War`` by Professor Peter Watkins. -  16:07, 19`