As we know, when asked to name a successor as Lord Protector in 1657 Oliver Cromwell opened the choice to parliament and consulted others on the matter. At the time it was seen as a controversial move and it would lead to a lot of major changes in the fledgling protectorate.
However, many people at the time suspected Cromwell was preparing his son Richard for the position and would from '57 onwards train him in the role. Given this perhaps nepotistic choice and Richard's lack of experience both politically and militarily. What do people think might have happened?