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

I figured as much but my thinking was the results might impact some of the extra flavouring details. Like the planned story might be Hague wins but the winner of the poll would be their coalition partner or leading the criticism against whoever wins
No worries. It could be interesting though to maybe have the poll influence certain details with the minor parties, like seat numbers and potential coalition partners like @Sunstone77 pointed out?
I'll take the poll into account when writing flavour text, leading criticism etc, but it won't have an impact on the overall story - otherwise we'd have eternal rule by Supreme Leader Meacher!
 
2012 Election, Part 2
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The far-right NNP held a rally outside Westminster Abbey - Mountbatten's final resting place

“Everything is as grey as granite. The skies, the clouds and the vast Westminster Abbey, where rests the body of Louis Mountbatten, the last dictator of Britain. Inside is no different. The church is as wide and tall as any cathedral. And all it is filled with the cold, stone grey. There is no denying the sheer, intimidating power of both spectacle and location. Britain's SDP government understands the potency of Westminster Abbey. Indeed, much energy has been devoted to taming it. Since 2008, the site has been closed to general visitors; only those attending service are allowed. The official explanation is restoration work. But most believe the government wants to ward off those who might be drawn by the two words, etched into the church floor, Louis Montbatten.”
- The UK’s Election and the lingering legacy of Mountbatten, Guy Hedgecoe POLITICO (2012)

In the aftermath of the debate where no candidate landed a knockout blow, momentum for the third parties continued to grow. Meacher had decided to put the Outrage protests at the heart of his campaign, and could often be seen at rallies outside tents urging the protesters to use their votes. Meacher was the only candidate to denounce the often harsh tactics of the police; describing Met operations as “violent oppression”. Some polls showed the Alternative’s support as high as 17 or 18%, with one YouGov poll showing the party just four points behind the SDP, within touching distance of becoming the UK’s official opposition party.

Whilst Meacher had won over many of the Outrage protesters, there was a smaller faction within the movement who campaigned for a spoiling of the ballot. They hadn’t forgotten the Alternative’s support for Johnson’s austerity u-turn. This radical faction of the Outrage movement argued they should burn the whole political system down and create a new electoral faction from scratch once the dust settled. The decentralised nature of the Outrage protests meant no formal decision could be made, but polling showed a majority of protesters planning to vote for the Alternative, and they received the endorsement of several Outrage leaders, including Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Ash Sarkar and Laurie Penny. Having these energised young women alongside 70 year old Meacher helped breathe new life into the Alternative.

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The Alternative hoped to emulate Syriza in becoming the official opposition

Compared to Meacher’s dynamic campaign on the streets, and Hague's self-assured stable pitch to voters, the SDP was increasingly in meltdown. Miliband’s interventions became increasingly aggressive; he warned that National planned to cut the state pension and the winter fuel allowance saying in a letter to voters “"if you are a pensioner you could lose your winter fuel allowance, free travel, eye tests, swimming, TV licence and passport and your pension credit". None of which were mentioned in National’s manifesto. Miliband had also struggled to unite his bitterly divided party, with one investigation by the BBC showing Chancellor Alan Sugar had not partaken in a single campaign stop outside his province, refusing to appear in any national literature or political broadcasts.

“SDP prime-ministerial candidate David Miliband tried to resurrect his flagging campaign on Sunday by taking a stand on the issue of education. In a speech delivered in Derbyshire, he proposed introducing an examination period for teachers. Under this system, education graduates opting for a teaching position would have to first sit a national examination. Miliband's proposals are modeled on the Medical Licensing Assessment that puts medical graduates through an examination. Depending on the grade, candidates select a specialization and a center where they will train. Upon successful completion of this internship, the physician obtains a position at a public hospital. The system is praised across Europe. Miliband said he would address poor school results by targeting primary education.” - Miliband focuses on Education in Keynote Speech, BBC News Bulletin (2012)

A National victory was a foregone conclusion in the last few days of the campaign, the main question was the scale of this victory. National led the SDP by as many as 11 points in one poll and as little as four points in another. The Social Democrats knew that National had few friends in Parliament, if National’s leader could be squeezed, they might be in with a chance of cobbling together another rainbow coalition. But if National led by eight, nine, or even ten points then Miliband would lose all legitimacy to try and form a government. Even with a convincing victory National would still struggle to form a Government, Reform would be it’s natural coalition partner but Hague could still need help from the SNP to push him over the line, and after being burned once, John Swinney would demand a steep price for such a deal.

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Miliband's sudden concern for public services rung hollow after years of austerity

Whoever became Prime Minister would also have to deal with mass feelings of apathy among the British people. One poll by Survation showed as little as 49% of the electorate planning to vote, the choice of austerity, or austerity implemented more vigorously was not a decision many were happy making. Among the young, with over 40% unemployment, turnout polling was even lower despite Meacher’s Outrage charm offensive. Even the paramilitary stalwarts of the SNLA and Civil Assistance seemed bored of the whole affair, brawls in the streets were kept to a minimum and there was only the occasional pipe bomb in the train station bin to spice things up. The youth had given up.

As polls opened people trudged to the polls, in mostly empty village halls and leisure centers - it was a far cry for the scenes filmed in 2005, with people queuing round the block to cast their ballot. The high unemployment and crushing austerity had created a political culture of despair, the Troika had broken spirits where even the plotters of 2009 had failed. Whilst the punditry expected blue flags to hang from every town hall, no one was particularly excited for a Hague Government. But the loneliest figure was David Miliband, who was heckled whilst voting in his Northumberland Constituency. Hague at least got to win by default, all Miliband could do was stop his party from collapsing entirely as the sharks circled.

“A deep economic malaise, exacerbated by the euro crisis, dominates all other issues as polls open in the UK. Voters are aware that their fate for the next four years will be decided not in London, but in Berlin and Paris, or by stock markets in Shanghai. There is a debate, of sorts, between the SDP and National Party about how to deal with a crisis that sees one in five Brits jobless and a stagnating economy. The SDP, whom most Brits blame for their dire situation, proposes some stimulus alongside austerity policies. Its leader, David Miliband seized on last week’s cut in ECB interest rates as a sign that his thinking is in line with the European mainstream. National keeps its cards close to its chest, with a programme of mind-boggling vagueness.” - UK’s troubled Social Democrats fast losing support to left and right

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The National Leader was dubbed "William Vague" by the liberal press
 
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I hope you meant "hung parliament".

Because the other option means Super Bad Times(TM).
With a 49% voter turn out and traditional paramilitary failing to do more than the Angry Brigade; in a last generation armed struggle state; well riot dog is going to be coming along with permanently occupied campuses (“it’s their problem the soft wet farts let them evict the students”).

so no I don’t mean hung.
 
I can see a National government being really dysfunctional and unstable.
They'll have to balance the military thinking they're back in power with the austerity policy, since the military has just dealt with reforms and funding cuts they won't want to do so again.
In terms of social policy they'd have to balance their conservatives backed by the church with their moderates and coalition partners (probably Reform). As we saw with the curriculum the church still wields a lot of power in Britain and will want to exercise it, but passing these policies likely wouldn't be possible or would alienate many moderate voters.
Add to this, a pro-austerity National government would basically invite constant strikes and student protests onto itself.
And Scotland seems to have quite a bit of dissatisfaction so that could boil over at any moment.

It might not literally happen but I can see tabloids naming this the Hanged Parliament.
 
Hasn’t the military experienced substantial purging of Mountbattenists since 2009 though?
Yeah, but all that would get is the idiots stupid enough to be open about it. Probably tons others who just kept quiet.

I can see a National government being really dysfunctional and unstable.
They'll have to balance the military thinking they're back in power with the austerity policy, since the military has just dealt with reforms and funding cuts they won't want to do so again.
In terms of social policy they'd have to balance their conservatives backed by the church with their moderates and coalition partners (probably Reform). As we saw with the curriculum the church still wields a lot of power in Britain and will want to exercise it, but passing these policies likely wouldn't be possible or would alienate many moderate voters.
Add to this, a pro-austerity National government would basically invite constant strikes and student protests onto itself.
And Scotland seems to have quite a bit of dissatisfaction so that could boil over at any moment.

It might not literally happen but I can see tabloids naming this the Hanged Parliament.
Exactly. No amtter what, they're gonna be near useless. Makes me wonder why National was pushing so hard for it if they'll be hamstrung like that.
 
Reader's Poll Result
Hi team

Sorry for the gap in updates, this week I got engaged and I've been approved as a candidate for the UK's 2022 local elections - so busy week for me!

Regular updates will be resuming soon, but for now I thought I'd drop the results for the reader's election.
  • Socialist Alternative - 177 (+153)
  • Social Democratic Party - 101 (-102)
  • Reform Party - 82 (+67)
  • National Party - 57 (-154)
  • Plaid Cymru - 19 (+13)
  • Mebyon Kernow - 19 (+18)
  • Sinn Fein - 12 (+8)
  • Ecology Party - 12 (+9)
  • RISE - 6 (+1)
  • Social Democratic and Labour Party - 6 (+3)
  • New Nationalist Party - 6 (+6)
So if this election was up to our readers, the National Party would be absolutely decimated, losing 75% of it's seats. The SDP would also take a kicking, losing half their seats The main beneficiaries from this would be the Alternative and Reform who would both see massive surges in support. The Alternative especially would leapfrog from third place to being by far Britain's largest party.

The most likely result I can see from this is a grand coalition of SDP, National and Reform to lock Michael Meacher out of Downing Street. I guess we'll all have to stay tuned for the real result!
 
Hi team

Sorry for the gap in updates, this week I got engaged and I've been approved as a candidate for the UK's 2022 local elections - so busy week for me!

Regular updates will be resuming soon, but for now I thought I'd drop the results for the reader's election.
  • Socialist Alternative - 177 (+153)
  • Social Democratic Party - 101 (-102)
  • Reform Party - 82 (+67)
  • National Party - 57 (-154)
  • Plaid Cymru - 19 (+13)
  • Mebyon Kernow - 19 (+18)
  • Sinn Fein - 12 (+8)
  • Ecology Party - 12 (+9)
  • RISE - 6 (+1)
  • Social Democratic and Labour Party - 6 (+3)
  • New Nationalist Party - 6 (+6)
So if this election was up to our readers, the National Party would be absolutely decimated, losing 75% of it's seats. The SDP would also take a kicking, losing half their seats The main beneficiaries from this would be the Alternative and Reform who would both see massive surges in support. The Alternative especially would leapfrog from third place to being by far Britain's largest party.

The most likely result I can see from this is a grand coalition of SDP, National and Reform to lock Michael Meacher out of Downing Street. I guess we'll all have to stay tuned for the real result!
Congratulations on both accounts. Looking forward to future updates and that is one hell of a parliament that we just elected.
 
Sorry for the gap in updates, this week I got engaged and I've been approved as a candidate for the UK's 2022 local elections - so busy week for me!
Congratulations on both counts. Hope it all goes well and you have many great years. And just let us know when and where you’ll need those ballot boxes stuffed ;)
But for real, we totally understand big events like that might get in the way of writing.

Looking forward to seeing how Hague will deal with that herding-cats coalition
 
Hi team

Sorry for the gap in updates, this week I got engaged and I've been approved as a candidate for the UK's 2022 local elections - so busy week for me!

Regular updates will be resuming soon, but for now I thought I'd drop the results for the reader's election.
  • Socialist Alternative - 177 (+153)
  • Social Democratic Party - 101 (-102)
  • Reform Party - 82 (+67)
  • National Party - 57 (-154)
  • Plaid Cymru - 19 (+13)
  • Mebyon Kernow - 19 (+18)
  • Sinn Fein - 12 (+8)
  • Ecology Party - 12 (+9)
  • RISE - 6 (+1)
  • Social Democratic and Labour Party - 6 (+3)
  • New Nationalist Party - 6 (+6)
So if this election was up to our readers, the National Party would be absolutely decimated, losing 75% of it's seats. The SDP would also take a kicking, losing half their seats The main beneficiaries from this would be the Alternative and Reform who would both see massive surges in support. The Alternative especially would leapfrog from third place to being by far Britain's largest party.

The most likely result I can see from this is a grand coalition of SDP, National and Reform to lock Michael Meacher out of Downing Street. I guess we'll all have to stay tuned for the real result!
Oh my god, WELL DONE ON THE PROPOSAL BUDDY! So happy for you.

And best of luck for the election. Powerab2022 all the way!
 
Hi team

Sorry for the gap in updates, this week I got engaged and I've been approved as a candidate for the UK's 2022 local elections - so busy week for me!
Congratulations, man, we’re so happy for you!
And of course good luck for the election, next stop Powerab for PM! ;)
 
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