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"No Comment"

A Cold War Timeline (Draft)



Hugh Dalton, Chancellor of the Exchequer
November 12th 1947


Dalton made his way through the bustling gothic corridors of Parliament, on his way to make his Autumn Budget Speech before the House. Carrying the tattered red suitcase of the Exchequer, the lank Chancellor and his swift stride caught the attention of many as he passed by. As he reached the Commons portal however he was stopped by a young man, reaking of Brylcreem, and holding a notepad.

"Chancellor"! Greeted the journalist eagerly.

"Adam... isn't it"? Asked Dalton forgetting the man's name, "Evening Standard"?

"Yes, well Andrew - can you give us any hints for the speech? Apparently the Express say you will be putting a tax on the dog races".

"Dog Races"! Exclaimed Dalton in a theatrical manner, "Now there is a thought"!

"Is that an admission Chancellor"?

Dalton smiled and as he began to speak he caught Herbert Morrison's eye, the Home Secretary gesturing for them to enter the House. The Chancellor pursed his lips and after a moment of thought answered the journalist, "No Comment
[1]. Now if you will excuse me".

"Of course Chancellor".

With that Dalton and Morrison made their way inside to take their seats on the Government front bench.
..

[1] This is the POD - IOTL Dalton, ever a gossiper, let slip some details of his speech to a journalist from the Evening Standard - including a tax on the Dog Races. Before his speech was finished, the Standard already had the whispered details in print - forcing Dalton's resignation within days for leaking Treasury secrets.

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This TL will be my first such serious undertaking and as a draft I hope you shall be courtious in your comment and critique :rolleyes: - I will be reading up as I go on so those better aquainted with the post-war period by all means point out missed areas or divergences you disagree with. As the title suggests, despite a British focus I shall be globe-trotting all over the place. Plans include a long-lived United Arab Republic, nuclear proliferation, a Mafioso Havana and a VERY different Vietnam War.
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