And the band played on.

Here it is, my latest attempt at a timeline. I have finished the first year, but depending on comments I may amend. It will include the respnse to the terror, the next decade of British political life and the revival of the Tories in Scotland(I thought about doing a new version of my Scots Tory revival timeline but this seems more interesting)..

Hope you enjoy.
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The worst part of it was the terrible stillness. The silence which momentarily hit the room after the explosion. The scene was one to behold. The rising smoke betraying the torment, the blood, the carnage within the cabinet room. The cabinet table, splintered into a thousand pieces exaggerated the evil work of the mortar. The dead lay, still, prostrate, silent, the still warm blood, escaping them being the only movement in their lifeless corpses.
 
The terrorist attack of 7th February claimed eleven lives. A further fifteen were so badly injured that they would either be permanently disabled, disfigured and in many cases both. Amongst the dead lay the Prime Minister John Major, the Chancellor Norman Lamont, the Home Secretary Ken Baker and the Defence Secretary Tom King. The Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd, survived, despite losing the sight in one eye and his right leg, which had to be amputated. The corpse of Michael Howard, which took the impact of the blast was incinerated beyond recognition. He was identified by what remains there were left.
 
Other cabinet members killed included William Waldegrave, Michael Heseltine, John Gummer, David Hunt, Tony Newton and Malcolm Rifkind. The only cabinet member in the room who seemingly emerged unscathed was Ian Lang, who had the fortune as it turned out to be late for the cabinet meeting. The government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland had been massacred in one foul swoop.
 
The morning continued in a frenzied manner, with little known as to the best way forward under the circumstances. Trading was cancelled for the day on the London Stock Exchange and following an emergency meeting of the 1922 committee, as the most senior surviving member of the government the Palace sent word that Ian Lang be sent to accept the post of Prime Minister. It was agreed that he would form an interim government until the crisis passed. His first act as Prime Minister, suffering only mild bruising around the face, was to call for a state of emergency.
 
From Buckingham Palace, as Downing Street was at this point impassable, the new Prime Minister gave his first words on the matter.

“Today, a terrible event has passed which has shaken the nation. It has shaken us, but it will not defeat us. We must not let it defeat us. Many colleagues(pause), many friends have(pause), have died today. I, we must not let this shake our resolve. Peace in Northern Ireland must be the objective. The terrorists must not be allowed to win, it is with this objective in mind rather than a hope for vengeance I have accepted the invitation by Her Majesty to form a new government. They will be caught. They will be brought to justice.”

Ian Lang, 7th February 1991.
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The Downing Street Mortar blast was clearly the most audacious act of terrorism inflicted on the British mainland by the IRA. Sickeningly for many in Westminster, the Falls Road in Belfast was a scene for impromptu celebrations. That the killers had escaped the scene was cause in certain circles for further rejoicing. Such scenes were broadcast to the international media causing outrage amongst many. As the day went on, riots began and the Army, in line with the state of emergency had to be called in to keep the peace. The atmosphere could be cut with a blade of grass.
 
That Gerry Adams, despite international condemnation, refused to condemn the attacks outright made the tension rise further. Fears began to emerge that the situation was starting to spiral beyond the control of the authorities.
 
Intriguing. Keep going. Your other ones were good (wasn't Halifax among them?), so no pressure...
It was indeed, and thanks for the compliment.

I've only ever finished three timelines though, but as I said I have the idea sketched out over the next year, but will amend depending on suggestion/comments(I'll follow the same method as with the Halifax timeline in this regard) so suggestion welcome.
 
Very interesting. I wonder if Margaret Thatcher will make a comeback here, as by far the most experienced Conservative still standing? Maybe even Ted Heath too?
 
Very interesting. I wonder if Margaret Thatcher will make a comeback here, as by far the most experienced Conservative still standing? Maybe even Ted Heath too?
I've gone by cabinet members initially, but as you'd expect there will be much debate over Langs future, past the first few days. Both Thatcher and Heath are options, and may well need to come back.

The Tory Party has in effect been decapitated. The next update is on the permenant leadership and also bear in mind this is in the middle of the Gulf War, so that will come into it.
 
Lawson, Tebbit and Howe are still about too. Lawson, Howe, Heath, Tebbit and Thatcher all in Cabinet together could be excruciatingly awkward- and a lot of fun to write :D
 
There's also a general election coming up in 1992. How will this atrocity affect the results of what was a very narrow Tory voctory (IIRC)?

I'm looking forward to the next installment, Fletcher!
 
Well the IRA are screwed.

They've now got the British public crying for blood, no state that wants to get foreign aid from any Western nation will help the IRA and the groups in America that helped the IRA will be quickly crushed by the Americans who want to make sure no one gets any funny ideas about the USA. Added with any peace deal that doesn't include most of the IRA in prison is going to fail, I can see Gerry Adams get couped by someone who quickly condemns the IRA so that Sinn Fein can retain some form of good publicity with what little they can scrap.

I can imagine a larger Tory majority but more fractious as the economy will be worse since the government was decapitated and the Tory spilt will either cause a right anti-Europe who is acceptable to the base but not to some of the MP's or maybe Ken Clarke who will be in a lot more trouble with the backbenchers on Europe.

Maybe someone like Michael Portillo could try and build something out of the destroyed front bench or is he also dead?
 
Questions...

Well, it's an intriguing start. I thought Ken Clarke was in the Cabinet at that point as Health Secretary or similar.

I just question whether Lang (even if the only survivor) would have been anointed as Leader so quickly. If Clarke is alive, I'm sure he would have challenged as might others (Peter Lilley, Michael Forsyth).

Of course, we're in unknown territory and there would be a degree of rallying round in a moment of crisis - there would also be a sympathy boost for the Conservatives.

The other point to bear in mind is that Britain is involved in a war at this time - the Gulf War is well under way and ground operations are a couple of weeks away so Lang and his new Foreign Secretary will need to reassure President Bush and others that there is continuity of policy in that area.

On a wider level, and not knowing Lang that well, one of the reasons Major did so well was that he wasn't Margaret Thatcher in terms of tone and style. Ian Lang won't do well if he simply tries to be a masculine Thatcher.
 
Was it War Cabinet or Full Cabinet?

This is the full cabinet
  • John Major: Prime Minister
  • Norman Lamont: Chancellor of the Exchequer
  • Douglas Hurd: Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
  • Kenneth Baker: Secretary of State for the Home Department
  • John Gummer: Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
  • Tom King: Secretary of State for Defence
  • Kenneth Clarke: Secretary of State for Education & Science
  • Michael Howard: Secretary of State for Employment
  • John Wakeham: Secretary of State for Energy
  • Michael Heseltine: Secretary of State for the Environment
  • William Waldegrave: Secretary of State for Health
  • Peter Brooke: Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
  • John MacGregor: Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
  • Lord Waddington: Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Lords
  • Chris Patten: Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Conservative Party Chairman
  • Tony Newton: Secretary of State for Social Security
  • Ian Lang: Secretary of State for Scotland
  • Peter Lilley: Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
  • Malcolm Rifkind: Secretary of State for Transport
  • David Mellor: Chief Secretary to the Treasury
  • Lord Mackay: Lord Chancellor
  • David Hunt: Secretary of State for Wales
  • Patrick Mayhew: Attorney General (Attending Cabinet)
  • Richard Ryder: Chief Whip (Attending Cabinet)
If only Lang is dead and not serious injured, then the Conservative party is truly rudderless. Lang is a good man, but I suspect the calls would indeed come for the reinstatement of the Margaret Hilda. The government should be able to coast the by-elections with the possible exception of Bath (shades of Ian Gow and Eastbourne).
 
Was it War Cabinet or Full Cabinet?

If only Lang is dead and not serious injured, then the Conservative party is truly rudderless. Lang is a good man, but I suspect the calls would indeed come for the reinstatement of the Margaret Hilda. The government should be able to coast the by-elections with the possible exception of Bath (shades of Ian Gow and Eastbourne).

It was in otl a war cabinet meeting, something I have admittedly hand-waved to change to a meeting of the full cabinet, but the prospect of a cabinet meeting inside Downing Street is hardly asb, so I don't think that affects the plot too much. The party is clearly in a terrible state with most of its leadership dead or in hospital.

As to the leadership, next part coming up..
stodge said:
Well, it's an intriguing start. I thought Ken Clarke was in the Cabinet at that point as Health Secretary or similar.

I just question whether Lang (even if the only survivor) would have been anointed as Leader so quickly. If Clarke is alive, I'm sure he would have challenged as might others (Peter Lilley, Michael Forsyth).

Of course, we're in unknown territory and there would be a degree of rallying round in a moment of crisis - there would also be a sympathy boost for the Conservatives.

The other point to bear in mind is that Britain is involved in a war at this time - the Gulf War is well under way and ground operations are a couple of weeks away so Lang and his new Foreign Secretary will need to reassure President Bush and others that there is continuity of policy in that area.

On a wider level, and not knowing Lang that well, one of the reasons Major did so well was that he wasn't Margaret Thatcher in terms of tone and style. Ian Lang won't do well if he simply tries to be a masculine Thatcher.
As you say, we are in unknown territory. Questions over Langs leadership will be answered in my next post, but as you say this would be an extrqa-ordinary event, and as such as a surviving cabinet minister, he will have been shoved in the post as a stop-gap.

As you say, the Gulf War is raging so this is hardly an ideal time for this to happen...
 
Fletcher

Interesting idea and cat very much amongst the pigeons. A lot of things being in turmoil with the Tories decapitated, the war on in the Gulf and the IRA making impossible for the foreseeable future any peaceful settlement of the Ulster problem.

I can't see Thatcher making a come-back, much as some might call for it. She had become highly discredited by the poll-tax and also the divisive party election that deposed her. A lot of the party and especially many of the hard line supporters might call for it but others would be prompted by despair at the idea. If she did, or the party is split over a bid by her then it could probably counter [and more than] the sympathy they will get over the massacre. Difficult to see Labour winning in 92 with Kinnock in charge, although given the plight the country was in at the time I was tempted to think the Tories were trying to throw the election to avoid having to clear up the mess.

It probably won't make too much different to the Gulf War as Britain is already committed and also it would be strange to have a Britain reeling from such an atrocity suddenly going soft on a matter of chucking out a military invader in an economically important state.

In Ulster this would as you say harden feeling although I fear Blackadder mk 2 is wrong in thinking it would greatly weaken IRA support amongst the core of hard liners or their fans in the US. They have committed many other massacres, often with far more deaths without significant impact on their support. It's only the higher profile of their latest victims that differs here.

On the other hand it makes it virtually impossible for any British government to consider a mediated settlement with them. Between public opinion and their opponents they would get torn to pieces. It might have some affect on the government in Dublin however which could result in a stronger line against IRA support south of the border.

With an election due within a year but the government party, as well as being deeply unpopular beforehand, now being thrown into such disorder there's a hell of a lot of options and interested to see where you go with this. Subscribing.

Steve
 
First off really interesting idea for a TL-I've come across a few discussion topics on this Pod, but no actual timelines. Fletcher-I can't say I know much about Lang either, but didn't you make him PM during your New Britain TL at some point?
In any case-it'll be interesting to see what happens, both in the long term and the more immediate reactions from both politicians and the public in general, baring in mind Britain hasn't had a successful assasination attempt on a PM's life since 1812.
Really enjoyed the New Britain and the Halifax TL's, so looking forward to seeing where this goes.
 
First off really interesting idea for a TL-I've come across a few discussion topics on this Pod, but no actual timelines. Fletcher-I can't say I know much about Lang either, but didn't you make him PM during your New Britain TL at some point?
In any case-it'll be interesting to see what happens, both in the long term and the more immediate reactions from both politicians and the public in general, baring in mind Britain hasn't had a successful assasination attempt on a PM's life since 1812.
Really enjoyed the New Britain and the Halifax TL's, so looking forward to seeing where this goes.
Can't remember, I may have done. Lang seems to me like an old fashioned-Tory who had the ability but lacked the ambition. He was in my opinion one of the best Tory cabinet ministers of the nineties, albiet not one of the better known.

Also, thanks, ditto steve.
 
The opening hours of the premiership of Ian Lang were a few of the most chaotic in modern British political history. As the senior cabinet member not incapacitated, he had been chosen as an interim leader through the chaos, a position he held no personal ambition for. As it was, three hours after being involved in the single biggest cull of the British government in memory, he was invited to the Palace to accept the position of Prime Minister to ride the storm. When the Queen asked if he was able to form a government, his response, allegedly was “I believe so”. It very much summed up the mood of the moment.
 
Following his appointment his first duty as Prime Minister was to declare a state of emergency, whilst at the same time attempting to build out a new cabinet, which as far as almost all were concerned would probably not be in place within a fortnight. At the same time, a call was made to Washington, where President Bush was assured that Britain would remain a strong partner in the ongoing war in the Persian Gulf.
 
Following his return to Admiralty House, Lang set about naming his cabinet. It was a difficult thing to do, given the front bench had been wiped out, but one he did relatively quickly.
 
The United Kingdom Cabinet. 08/02/1991
Prime Minister : Ian Lang
Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State : The Viscount, Lord Whitelaw.
Chancellor of the Exchequer : Geoffrey Howe
Home Secretary : Gillian Shepherd
Foreign & Commonwealth Secretary : Cecil Parkinson
Defence Secretary : Francis Maude
Health Secretary : Edwina Currie
Education Secretary : Michael Portillo
Employment Secretary : Peter Walker
President of the Board of Trade & Industry Secretary : Nigel Lawson
Scottish Secretary : Alick Buchanan Smith
Welsh Secretary : Wyn Roberts
Northern Irish Secretary : Sir George Young
Leader of the House of Commons : James Douglas-Hamilton
Aggriculture Secretary : David Heathcoat-Amery
Social Security Secretary: Norman Fowler
Energy Secretary : Virginia Bottomley
Chief Whip : John Cope
Lord Chancellor : Baron Waddington​

The fact that the cabinet had been announced during a state of emergency meant the expected media reaction was, initially at least, muted. There was fury within many Conservatives who saw Margaret Thatcher not named in the cabinet. Her reaction was not known for certain, but it was known that she believed she should be back in Downing Street very shortly. There were a few other eyebrow raisers, such as the return of Lawson, albiet only for a limited time and of Willie Whitelaw and Cecil Parkinson. In addition to this, members such as Francis Maude recieve rapid early promotions.

As it was though, the divisions were papered over for the time being.


*******************************************************
09/02/1991 05:40am London.
Sean O’Gerrarty, Sean O’Callaghan and Gerard Docherty were awoken in the dark of the winter morning by the sound of armed police breaking down the door of their central London flat. They had been found out. How they had been found out was a matter which was up for debate until the present day, but they were captured and arrested without a fight.
 

At 07:00 am, the Prime Minister announced that the terrorists had been captured. In his clipped broadcast from Admiralty House, he announced that “the police have arrested the perpetrators, they will be brought to justice.” Privately, it was said in the lead up to the broadcast he had alluded to the gunpowder plot, stating “remember, remember the fifth of November..”
 
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