Just wondering regarding the 12:08 TL, is that and this TL both in the same universe or being different? Interesting to see how different the British rail network will be ITTL.
Different universe. As you say, sometimes I ponder how the rail/tube will evolve here, and inevitably there'll probably end up being a chapter, but I'll try and mostly keep trains out of this TL
I am hoping, though I doubt it will happen is that the incoming Tory government can solve the Rhodesia problem with a transition to democratic, majority party state over a sensible time-frame. It seems less likely a Tory govt would roll the tanks in (though not impossible), and I doubt they will leave things be simply cos they won't want a revolution.
Can't see Rhodesia being massively different, UDI or not. The white minority does not want to hand over power, the black majority demands it. There's no getting round that simple fact, there's going to be a showdown, somehow, at some point.
A different PM than Gaitskell might have pulled off a 'Commonwealth EU', but I suspect it was never a goer with him.
Yep; he's given enough anti-EU comments, I just can't see him wanting to move towards Europe at all.
"Nigeria finally officially became a Dominion" - nice. Wonder if there is a move towards a formal Commonwealth Parliament?
Sadly not. Well, I guess you might have a Commonwealth "consultative assembly" - some members from each Parliament to discuss matters, but nothing approaching a legislative body. There are opportunities for a closer Commonwealth, but by the mid 1950s PoD here, I think those are largely gone.
"the UK-French relationship continued to evolve" - space projects will be fun. With this level of cooperation Britain does not need to be in the EEC.
Yep, the UK and France are rapidly growing closer. At the moment I see it kinda analogous to UK-USA in OTL - but that doesn't replace the need for new economic relationships in the long term. Economic necessity is going to bring the UK to Europe, it'll just be on a different timetable to OTL, and with a closer relationship to France - and without being spurned away twice before getting in (and also without the UK-USA baggage).
"the widespread introduction of the metric system to the United Kingdom." - much earlier, though I expected more pushback, esp on the road sign change. Hopefully companies won't use it as an excuse to rack up the prices.
"decimalised penny coins or 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 25p (*5) and 50p" - the 25p coin makes a lot of sense frankly.
Decimalisation is roughly on par with OTL. Metrication is kind of earlier, but the 1966 saw Commonwealth agreement (including the UK) in OTL to switch to the metric system. There's also been dozens of studies done in to it already by this time, basically all advocating it. The note about the British chamber of commerce advocating for it is OTL. The only difference here, is that Gaitskell in power has jumped at it, instead of holding off; the advantage in doing so is being able to have the motorways signed for metric from the start (no conversion costs), and introducing metric driving to people early on - and means that as new roads are built, and speed limits introduced, they will all be in metric as well.
For the 25p, I'll be quite honest I prefer 20p coins, having grown up with them, but equally 25p seems far simpler to switch to given the pre-decimal crown coins (also it doesn't stop the Treasury from introducing 20p later). Doesn't hamper the Canadians either, who are metric and have a 25c coin instead of 20c.
With more money from not doing Concord and BR not doing their 50's modernisation plan, does that mean BR is electrifying, introducing diesel, and phasing out steam in a more sensible way?
Maybe, trying to stay away from trains a bit more in this TL!
The military and space policy etc is more than enough to fill the lines with text.
"integration with Britain option won the referendum" - now that is a sensible idea for Gibraltar, esp in the face of Spanish aggression.
Linky - enjoy
The only difference here, is that following the example of Malta and that the UK is clearly open for integration if really desired, that the referendum had the option on the ballot slip.
Wonder if Sri Lankan history might go differently in this world? Are they a Dominion or a dependency? If Bandaranaike does not come to power then a lot of trouble will be avoided.
Probably not; already an independent Dominion before the PoD (Dominionhood: 1948), just going republican later, so can't see much changing there really.
Do BOAC and British airways Merge ? or Does BOAC last longer ? Hawker Siddley and British areospace ?
The BA merger is probably commercially likely, and to be honest I can't see BCal managing to stay independent at the moment, but I'm not completely sure yet. HS/BAe has some implications, but I've sketched out a civil aviation chapter later, so I won't commit myself just yet!
