"A Very British Transition" - A Post-Junta Britain TL

- which is going to have massive repercussions in the other Commonwealth realms. In particular, due to its unique Constitutional issues, this might force the debate in Canada, although IMO that would definitely necessitate a separate TL thread that is still in-universe.
Come to think of it, remind me, did any countries go republican after the first coup? It seems like the Queen remianing mum on a coup in the UK would be the last nail in the coffin for the monarchy in Australia, given how popular republicanism was in the '70s. This coup attempt could be the same for Canada.
 
Come to think of it, remind me, did any countries go republican after the first coup? It seems like the Queen remianing mum on a coup in the UK would be the last nail in the coffin for the monarchy in Australia, given how popular republicanism was in the '70s. This coup attempt could be the same for Canada.
I would think Canada would be a bit tricky, considering the Quiet Revolution is still more or less ongoing in Quebec - which soon enough threw wide open Constitutional issues, considering support for independence. Yes, there was that whole thing in 1964 (so pre-POD) with her visit to Quebec - although, in her bilingual speech to the Assemblée législative du Québec, she did mention how she was "pleased to think that there exists in our Commonwealth a country where I can express myself officially in French". Despite her tendency to keep her mouth silent on politics, I am sure that even she would find a way to express disapproval for the coup. She and/or her speechwriters would have to choose their words carefully, though, and most likely switch to French when she decides to get too close to that topic.

Alternatively, to express disapproval without vocalizing it would be if she decided to give the junta the "silent treatment" - deciding to do more Royal tours of Canada than she would being around in the UK (ostensibly under the guise of meeting the British exile communities there), for example, and (through her own backchannels) prefer to become more interested in Canada's Constitutional issues. In that case, depending on how delicate things are moving, it could be possible for to deliberately speak more French (especially if she decides to do more stopovers in Quebec and then some, such as trying to engage more with Québécois/es) and try to act as a moderator alongside the GG. It would be something interesting that could be dealt with as a separate thread, but it would be fascinating to see it all work together. Regardless, something has to be in place before the (OTL) 1971 Royal tour of British Columbia, to celebrate their centennial celebration for entering Confederation. What helps the Queen and the Royal Family, IMO, with regards to Canada is that it's pretty well known they love the place, so if there is one place where reputation management would be especially important (particularly as it's canon that relations are "[w]orse than OTL as Canada was horrified by Britain's fall to authoritarianism, but these have improved as Britain democratised"), Canada is it.
 
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Is Vince gonna survive?

As for Skinner, goddamn I wish I was watching that to see what he said
Depends where in the chest he was shot, how fast EMS arrives, and with what.

9mm round to the chest at point blank might not be good, but a lot more survivable then a 5.56 burst.
Cable was shot by a low caliber pistol but no major organs or arteries were hit. He was tended to by Philip Lee and Sarah Wollaston, two National MPs who were also trained physicians, they managed to stabilise Cable. Cable was then handed over to riot police in return for the police backing up around Parliament square and giving the coupists more space. He was transferred to St Thomas' where he remains unconscious but stable.
 
This coup attempt makes me wonder how the US and Europe is taking this, and what they plan to do about it. Especially as this isn't the Cold War anymore, and the US isn't going to prop up a dictatorship (again).
 
If this is going the way I think it's going, then probably Cable might survive but will be very much shaken by everything. But yeah, I agree with other posters here that it will definitely increase calls for a republic -

- which is going to have massive repercussions in the other Commonwealth realms. In particular, due to its unique Constitutional issues, this might force the debate in Canada, although IMO that would definitely necessitate a separate TL thread that is still in-universe.
Come to think of it, remind me, did any countries go republican after the first coup? It seems like the Queen remianing mum on a coup in the UK would be the last nail in the coffin for the monarchy in Australia, given how popular republicanism was in the '70s. This coup attempt could be the same for Canada.
I would think Canada would be a bit tricky, considering the Quiet Revolution is still more or less ongoing in Quebec - which soon enough threw wide open Constitutional issues, considering support for independence. Yes, there was that whole thing in 1964 (so pre-POD) with her visit to Quebec - although, in her bilingual speech to the Assemblée législative du Québec, she did mention how she was "pleased to think that there exists in our Commonwealth a country where I can express myself officially in French". Despite her tendency to keep her mouth silent on politics, I am sure that even she would find a way to express disapproval for the coup. She and/or her speechwriters would have to choose their words carefully, though, and most likely switch to French when she decides to get too close to that topic.

Alternatively, to express disapproval without vocalizing it would be if she decided to give the junta the "silent treatment" - deciding to do more Royal tours of Canada than she would being around in the UK (ostensibly under the guise of meeting the British exile communities there), for example, and (through her own backchannels) prefer to become more interested in Canada's Constitutional issues. In that case, depending on how delicate things are moving, it could be possible for to deliberately speak more French (especially if she decides to do more stopovers in Quebec and then some, such as trying to engage more with Québécois/es) and try to act as a moderator alongside the GG. It would be something interesting that could be dealt with as a separate thread, but it would be fascinating to see it all work together. Regardless, something has to be in place before the (OTL) 1971 Royal tour of British Columbia, to celebrate their centennial celebration for entering Confederation. What helps the Queen and the Royal Family, IMO, with regards to Canada is that it's pretty well known they love the place, so if there is one place where reputation management would be especially important (particularly as it's canon that relations are "[w]orse than OTL as Canada was horrified by Britain's fall to authoritarianism, but these have improved as Britain democratised"), Canada is it.
Australia went Republican in the 70s as did several of the West Indian and African states, Canada did keep the monarchy but was very critical of the Junta and competed for leadership of the Commonwealth. I've purposefully not written much on Australia and Canada because my knowledge of their politics is fairly woeful but if anyone else with more knowledge wants to write something I'd love to see it.
 
This coup attempt makes me wonder how the US and Europe is taking this, and what they plan to do about it. Especially as this isn't the Cold War anymore, and the US isn't going to prop up a dictatorship (again).
The Obama administration and the EU have both condemned the coup but they're current in "wait and see" mode as it's still early days. They don't want to put in place sanctions if the coup collapses after a few days. The loudest voice is the Republic of Ireland who have to deal with thousands of refugees streaming across the border.
 
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Chapter 46: Where is the Love?
1633427537184.png

Locked in the Commons' cloakroom, Johnson stalled for time

“The iconic image of the 2009 coup is the refusal of Britain’s beleaguered prime minister, Alan Johnson, to obey Riley's order to sit down. Johnson stands while Defence Secretary, Charles Guthtrie, challenges Riley's men to put down their weapons. Out of camera shot, the leader of the Socialist Alternative, Michael Meacher, also stays put, impassively reading a book. These three gestures of resistance tell a lot about the three men who put their lives on the line that day. Johnson had won the first democratic elections in the UK since 1966. But by 2009 Johnson seemed impotent in the face of enormous economic challenges and increased saber rattling by the army. As the coup erupted Johnson was being voted back into office on a reduced majority.”
- Alan Johnson and the 2009 coup, Joe Brennan, The Irish Times (2019)

The Rt Hon Sadiq Khan MP was one of the few members of Parliament not currently locked in the Commons. As Attorney General, part of Khan’s role was to represent the government’s interests in legal cases and he was currently at the Supreme Court observing a case on EU human rights legislation. This was until a group of gentlemen from the Palace came to whisk him away. As it happened Khan was the highest ranking Government official without a gun to his head, and with Mr Johnson indisposed, her majesty was intending to swear him in as acting Prime Minister. With a rather rushed kiss of the hands Khan was now Britain's first ethnic minority Prime Minister, alongside the half-dozen junior ministers also not in the Chamber the Palace had been able to round up, Khan was now the head of Britain’s Provisional Government.

As Khan was confirmed as acting Prime Minister, the international community was reeling, both the US and EU condemned the coup, EU President Margot Wallstrom declared the coup to be an act of terrorism. In Dublin the Irish Government was reeling, as Salvation forces secured control of Northern Ireland thousands of refugees were streaming over the border and troops loyal to Riley and Hamilton had begun setting up checkpoints along the Irish border to stem the tide. The Irish border had been open since the Cardiff Accords were signed, meaning there was no Garda or Irish Army presence able to stop the Mountbattenite forces. Taoiseach Brian Cowen now had the choice of sending Irish forces to open the border, or allowing Salvation forces to shut the border. With all the chaos engulfing the island, Cowen dared not risk further escalation with the British and opted to do nothing. Whilst several thousand had managed to flee overnight, by sunrise on the 11th the Irish Border was shut.

1633427381886.png

Former IRA members were really regretting giving their guns up

There was some good news for those loyal to the democratic government, an attempted Mountbattenite mutiny in Berkshire had been crushed as a group of young loyalist squaddies refused to support their Mountbattenite officers. The failure in Berkshire had prevented a further fire to be put out, and most importantly, Mountbattenite forces had failed to secure RAF Greenham and the decommissioned nuclear materials within. The air force in particular had been almost entirely loyal to the democratic administration, as the ground forces dissolved into infighting. At around 7am riot police were able to recapture Broadcasting House after Salvation forces surrendered. Kilroy-Silk and his compatriots were arrested and the provisional government regained control of national communications.

“The pro-coup forces have seized control of Northern Ireland, under the command of General James Hamilton. A supporter of the late dictator Peter Hill Norton, the former Lord Lieutenant was recently discharged from the army. The general has declared a state of emergency and ordered tanks onto the streets of Belfast. In London the rebel army took over radio and TV stations for 14 hours. They dispersed when riot police arrived on the scene. The Queen has called Attorney General Sadiq Khan to lead a Provisional Government based at Buckingham Palace. The Provisional Government has issued a communiqué saying all measures will be taken to put down the rebellion. Despite these reassurances Brits are now wondering how long their four-year democracy can last.” - Rebel army seizes control in UK, Fox News Bulletin (2009)

1633427654264.png

After losing control of Broadcasting House and failed uprisings across England, the men in Belfast and Westminster were on their own

Losing control of the BBC was the least of Riley’s worries as inside the Commons all seven of the senior figures he had dragged into a separate cloakroom were refusing to sign their support for the Salvation Government. Things would get even more complicated as Field Marshall Richard Dannatt, a former Chief of the Army staff arrived on scene and demanded to speak with Riley. Dannatt lied and claimed he had been to see the Queen and she had appointed him as First Lord, ordering Riley to recognise his command. Dannatt had been involved in the coups’ planning but had been supportive of a “soft coup” creating a civilian-military authority including both main parties. Riley on the other hand supported a return to full military rule and refused to recognise Dannatt’s authority. Dannatt was allowed to come and go as he pleased but with most of the men in Parliament loyal to Riley, Dannatt was decidedly not in control.

The Palace was silent, the Provisional Government was floundering and the politicians were hostages, but up and down the country thousands were taking to the streets, these were not union barons or NGO directors but mostly students and young people. Dubbed the “freedom generation” of those born in the 90s and late 80s, who had come of age as the Junta fell. Organised over up-and-coming social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, these young people organised protests armed only with their phones in unprecedented displays of bottom-up solitary and organisation. Protesters would go door to door handing out food and flowers and even broke into impromptu street parties. In probably the most bizarre event of the whole uprising were songs by the Black Eyed-Peas - an a-political hip-hop group from the states - became defining tunes of resistance. International correspondents traveling around London filming resistance to the coup instead came across students loudly singing “I Gotta Feeling” and “Where is the Love” out of tune.

“The Black Eyed Peas' "Where is the Love” has emerged as the unlikely anthem of UK protests against an attempted coup. Protests around the world often develop their own soundtrack, usually songs with lyrics of defiance. But the hip-hop anthem taken up in London and Belfast hardly ticks those boxes. For the past few hours, the song has been heard almost non-stop at the main protest site, behind riot police lines at Westminster Square and at marches. It started with a group of students who sang several hit songs at the main protest site, with “Where is the Love'' catching on among the crowd. “This was the one people picked up, as it is easy for people to follow, with a simple message and easy melody,” said Bell Ribeiro, 23, president of the National Students Union. "It also shows that it is a peaceful protest,” Riberio added.” - Black Eyed Peas become unlikely faces of British student protests, Reuters (2009)

1633427432794.png

Bizarre as it was the song represented everything the ultra-conservative military despised, degenerate hip-hop and pacifist politics
 
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View attachment 685066
Locked in the Commons' cloakroom, Johnson stalled for time

“The iconic image of the 2009 coup is the refusal of Britain’s beleaguered prime minister, Alan Johnson, to obey Riley's order to sit down. Johnson stands while Defence Secretary, Charles Guthtrie, challenges Riley's men to put down their weapons. Out of camera shot, the leader of the Socialist Alternative, Michael Meacher, also stays put, impassively reading a book. These three gestures of resistance tell a lot about the three men who put their lives on the line that day. Johnson had won the first democratic elections in the UK since 1966. But by 2009 Johnson seemed impotent in the face of enormous economic challenges and increased saber rattling by the army. As the coup erupted Johnson was being voted back into office on a reduced majority.”
- Alan Johnson and the 2009 coup, Joe Brennan, The Irish Times (2019)

The Rt Hon Sadiq Khan MP was one of the few members of Parliament not currently locked in the Commons. As Attorney General, part of Khan’s role was to represent the government’s interests in legal cases and he was currently at the Supreme Court observing a case on EU human rights legislation. This was until a group of gentlemen from the Palace came to whisk him away. As it happened Khan was the highest ranking Government official without a gun to his head, and with Mr Johnson indisposed, her majesty was intending to swear him in as acting Prime Minister. With a rather rushed kiss of the hands Khan was now Britain's first ethnic minority Prime Minister, alongside the half-dozen junior ministers also not in the Chamber the Palace had been able to round up, Khan was now the head of Britain’s Provisional Government.

As Khan was confirmed as acting Prime Minister, the international community was reeling, both the US and EU condemned the coup, EU President Margot Wallstrom declared the coup to be an act of terrorism. In Dublin the Irish Government was reeling, as Salvation forces secured control of Northern Ireland thousands of refugees were streaming over the border and troops loyal to Riley and Hamilton had begun setting up checkpoints along the Irish border to stem the tide. The Irish border had been open since the Cardiff Accords were signed, meaning there was no Garda or Irish Army presence able to stop the Mountbattenite forces. Taoiseach Brian Cowen now had the choice of sending Irish forces to open the border, or allowing Salvation forces to shut the border. With all the chaos engulfing the island, Cowen dared not risk further escalation with the British and opted to do nothing. Whilst several thousand had managed to flee overnight, by sunrise on the 11th the Irish Border was shut.

View attachment 685064
Former IRA members were really regretting giving their guns up

There was some good news for those loyal to the democratic government, an attempted Mountbattenite mutiny in Berkshire had been crushed as a group of young loyalist squaddies refused to support their Mountbattenite officers. The failure in Berkshire had prevented a further fire to be put out, and most importantly, Mountbattenite forces had failed to secure RAF Greenham and the nuclear stockpile within. The air force in particular had been almost entirely loyal to the democratic administration, as the ground forces dissolved into infighting. At around 7am riot police were able to recapture Broadcasting House after Salvation forces surrendered. Kilroy-Silk and his compatriots were arrested and the provisional government regained control of national communications.

“The pro-coup forces have seized control of Northern Ireland, under the command of General James Hamilton. A supporter of the late dictator Peter Hill Norton, the former Lord Lieutenant was recently discharged from the army. The general has declared a state of emergency and ordered tanks onto the streets of Belfast. In London the rebel army took over radio and TV stations for 14 hours. They dispersed when riot police arrived on the scene. The Queen has called Attorney General Sadiq Khan to lead a Provisional Government based at Buckingham Palace. The Provisional Government has issued a communiqué saying all measures will be taken to put down the rebellion. Despite these reassurances Brits are now wondering how long their four-year democracy can last.” - Rebel army seizes control in UK, Fox News Bulletin (2009)

View attachment 685067
After losing control of Broadcasting House and failed uprisings across England, the men in Belfast and Westminster were on their own

Losing control of the BBC was the least of Riley’s worries as inside the Commons all seven of the senior figures he had dragged into a separate cloakroom were refusing to sign their support for the Salvation Government. Things would get even more complicated as Field Marshall Richard Dannatt, a former Chief of the Army staff arrived on scene and demanded to speak with Riley. Dannatt lied and claimed he had been to see the Queen and she had appointed him as First Lord, ordering Riley to recognise his command. Dannatt had been involved in the coups’ planning but had been supportive of a “soft coup” creating a civilian-military authority including both main parties. Riley on the other hand supported a return to full military rule and refused to recognise Dannatt’s authority. Dannatt was allowed to come and go as he pleased but with most of the men in Parliament loyal to Riley, Dannatt was decidedly not in control.

The Palace was silent, the Provisional Government was floundering and the politicians were hostages, but up and down the country thousands were taking to the streets, these were not union barons or NGO directors but mostly students and young people. Dubbed the “freedom generation” of those born in the 90s and late 80s, who had come of age as the Junta fell. Organised over up-and-coming social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, these young people organised protests armed only with their phones in unprecedented displays of bottom-up solitary and organisation. Protesters would go door to door handing out food and flowers and even broke into impromptu street parties. In probably the most bizarre event of the whole uprising were songs by the Black Eyed-Peas - an a-political hip-hop group from the states - became defining tunes of resistance. International correspondents traveling around London filming resistance to the coup instead came across students loudly singing “I Gotta Feeling” and “Where is the Love” out of tune.

“The Black Eyed Peas' "Where is the Love” has emerged as the unlikely anthem of UK protests against an attempted coup. Protests around the world often develop their own soundtrack, usually songs with lyrics of defiance. But the hip-hop anthem taken up in London and Belfast hardly ticks those boxes. For the past few hours, the song has been heard almost non-stop at the main protest site, behind riot police lines at Westminster Square and at marches. It started with a group of students who sang several hit songs at the main protest site, with “Where is the Love'' catching on among the crowd. “This was the one people picked up, as it is easy for people to follow, with a simple message and easy melody,” said Bell Ribeiro, 23, president of the National Students Union. "It also shows that it is a peaceful protest,” Riberio added.” - Black Eyed Peas become unlikely faces of British student protests, Reuters (2009)

View attachment 685065
Bizarre as it was the song represented everything the ultra-conservative military despised, degenerate hip-hop and pacifist politics
It should be chapters 45 and 46, not 55 and 56, no?
 
I mean, given the language of the previous post it indicates that the coup will fail. But that does leave us with the interesting question of what the fuck the UK does when some semblance of democracy gets back under control. Do you forgive the people who did this? How can you forgive them? While there are many soldiers who are resisting these orders there are considerably more who are not and have not, do you purge them from the system and risk another massive riot? The questions need an answer, and I can't wait to see how Johnson, if he survives, handles this.
 
Australia went Republican in the 70s as did several of the West Indian and African states, Canada did keep the monarchy but was very critical of the Junta and competed for leadership of the Commonwealth. I've purposefully not written much on Australia and Canada because my knowledge of their politics is fairly woeful but if anyone else with more knowledge wants to write something I'd love to see it.
What about NZ?
 
I know I said Northern Ireland needed a miracle, but I didn't expect it to be, 'the IRA's compliance with the Cardiff accords was so thorough that they were not in a position to put up a fight.'
 
I know I said Northern Ireland needed a miracle, but I didn't expect it to be, 'the IRA's compliance with the Cardiff accords was so thorough that they were not in a position to put up a fight.'
There were of course armed dissidents but the vast majority of IRA fighters decommissioned their arms in a similar fashion to the Good Friday Agreement, the dissidents that remained were in no position to fight tanks. If the coup continues though I expect they'll find a way,
 
There were of course armed dissidents but the vast majority of IRA fighters decommissioned their arms in a similar fashion to the Good Friday Agreement, the dissidents that remained were in no position to fight tanks. If the coup continues though I expect they'll find a way,
Also it takes time to dig up guns once you've buried them, and then getting them back into fighting shape, especially if the intel services went after any known IRA operatives up there at the same time as the coup....

I mean, given the language of the previous post it indicates that the coup will fail. But that does leave us with the interesting question of what the fuck the UK does when some semblance of democracy gets back under control. Do you forgive the people who did this? How can you forgive them? While there are many soldiers who are resisting these orders there are considerably more who are not and have not, do you purge them from the system and risk another massive riot? The questions need an answer, and I can't wait to see how Johnson, if he survives, handles this.
I don't see people willing to offer forgiveness this time. They tried letting the Nationalists and other Regime personal off after they lost power, and look how that wound up backfiring.

Especially since afterwards, they've been doing their damndest to undo it all..... People are gonna want heads on spikes this time around. No more mercy, no more threats, just get them in jail or with a blindfold and cigarrette.
 
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