The Alliance Wins in 1983

I had originally thought perhaps it had run its course sooner than expected, but I've gotten the urge to go back to it.
 
article-1270551615967-09056ADE000005DC-642566_568x390.jpg



Natural For Opposition?


Michael Heseltine had been written off by political prognosticators as a dead duck as early as the 1991 campaign's beginning. Now as 1992 rolled in, he was in government. The Democrats in opposition had been stunned by their electoral defeat, but were by no means feeling disconcerted. David Owen's match ups with the Prime Minister were exciting affairs and Robin Cook, pugnacious as ever provided a strong voice for the near-collapsed Labour Party. The Heseltine Ministry was desirous of getting the ball rolling on the tax cuts they had promised and campaigned on. Ken Clarke's budget projections called for early 6% reductions in the overall tax rate, which would start at the top down, irritating both Democrats and Labour. The Democrats were not wholly opposed to the tax cuts but were irked by where they were going. Labour disliked the plan altogether. It was during this time that Deputy Leader Charles Kennedy and the former Prime Minister Lord Steel had a conversation involving opposition to the Tory bill. Kennedy thought it would be difficult to sell to the public, but Steel was quoted as saying to him,

"Charlie, we're natural for opposition."


heseltine500pa.jpg



MB: Strange times these are. Who would have thought that loony bastard would have won the election, eh?

DJ: Oh come now, chap. It's not like Michael was ever that bad... Give you a terrifying thought to ponder... David Owen; Prime Minister.

MB: That can give one chills. Poor Dr. Death. They told the man he'd be Prime Minister in 1976 and look at him now. Still trying. Still failing. What a play his career would make, eh dear boy? Labour was finished the moment Benn died. He was mad, but he did well for them. Skinner is just a foul old miner. It'll be too late for Cook to do anything with them.

DJ: Cook is always tough in the debates when he gets the chance. He's got Peter Mandelson planning strategy now and something about that man is frightening. He certainly comes across like the Emperor from those Star Wars movies.

MB: Don't worry. That Mandelson fellow can't possibly be as frightening as you and John Major think he is... Certainly less frightening than evil Dr. Death?

DJ: Possibly? Come! Join me for a drink. Pink gin?
 
"Yesterday, I went to a long lunch with David...."


Reflections...

Senior backbench MP Dickson Mabon had kept an intricate journal of his reflections since the SDP had first been formed back in 1981. He had stood for cabinet selection but had not been selected to the front bench. Instead, he remained a senior backbencher who acted as a sort of mentor to younger MP's who were just coming to the House. Mabon had been close to Bill Rodgers and was sorely disappointed by the latter's loss of his seat. Mabon himself was contemplating retirement after the next term. Even still, he kept up his journal. Every day another entry. One in particular dealt with a luncheon meeting with David Owen. Owen had invited Mabon to take a drive with him through a sparsely populated stretch of the countryside.

"As we spoke of the future of the Democratic Party, I began to notice David getting further and further agitated with my assessments. He had seemed ill-tempered at lunch, which was nothing out of the ordinary for him. But I think he could tell that he had been rude to me, for he apologized quickly. It was when I had noticed that the car was speeding hard down the dirt road and I pleaded with him to slow down a bit. He ignored me. I protested again and he ignored me still. He was hell-bent on taking that car to its limit. He had it over 160kmh before he was finally forced to slow down... I worry sometimes about his propensity for risking his life in macho stunts. He takes his boat out in terrible squalls and everyone knows he speeds..."


3291634.jpg

Dr. Dickson Mabon


Inside the Mind of Heseltine

Michael Heseltine's earliest cabinet meetings were plagued with arguments over Hong Kong. Heseltine wanted to appoint Edward Heath and Lord Jenkins to head up a commission to finalize the negotiations. Bitterly opposed to his plan though was Michael Portillo and other assorted right-wingers who felt that Britain should remain in control of Hong Kong and Heseltine faced the earliest revolt to his Ministry. Heath and Jenkins, who were close social acquaintances, had developed a plan for the return of Hong Kong to China. Something that most Democrats especially, strongly supported. Although Heseltine faced a revolt, he pushed his idea through and Heath and Jenkins were on their way to meet with Chinese officials about the return of Hong Kong.


37ffe1caffe27e07ee29c0000fde_grande.jpg

Ted Heath and Lord Jenkins photographed in the Independent before leaving for China to negotiate the return of Hong Kong.



 
Last edited:
And What of Labour?

The Labour Party looked severely weakened after the humiliating loss under leader Dennis Skinner. They had chosen Robin Cook to replace him and Cook, a moderate left winger, sought to revamp Labour's image. Working closely with his Deputy, John Prescott, the two came up with a novel solution to make war on the Tories and the Democrats. Labour would become a somewhat more socially moderate party while dumping the hard leftist elements like Scargill. Formulating the new strategy would be left to Peter Mandelson. Mandelson frequently went to Cook with ideas for leaflets and releases that would be designed to agitate the volatile leaders Heseltine and Owen into making foolish proclamations. Indeed, Labour picked up an additional two members thanks to resignations and by-election victories. The two new talents in the House were Steve Billcliffe and Nigel Lickley.



The Hardliners, Compromisers and Moderators

Prime Minister Heseltine soon found himself having to balance out the loggerheads of three different camps. One camp found Thatcherite-style "Hardliners" being led by Michael Portillo, who found himself increasingly at odds with the Prime Minister over trade. Portillo gathered some ambitious people around him such as Liam Fox and Norman Fowler. George Gardiner was also supportive of the hardline movement. The "Compromisers" were the rapidly forming second faction within the Tories. They were strong supporters of Heseltine and his policies, especially with regards to Hong Kong independence, Europe, and the strong pro-environment plank. The Chancellor Ken Clarke and Alan Haselhurst were the most prominent Compromisers. The "Moderators" attempted to be conciliatory to both factions. John Major was considered their nominal leader. Some, like Leon Brittan and Edwina Currie would not identify with any of them, although Brittan publicly supported Heseltine and Currie was having a secret extramarital affair with Major. Things went badly at first for the Compromisers as the Hardliners were able to convince many Moderators to support them in removing Heseltine's environmental reforms and especially his pro-Europeanism. Ken Clarke, feeling embarrassed and harassed threatened to resign as Chancellor and leave the party all together. Haselhurst and Heseltine talked the angry Clarke down over drinks.



_50008447_jex_870337_de08-1.jpg

Clarke speaking in the House...



The Death of a Democrat


article-0-00EE686A00000190-599_468x301.jpg

Shadow Chancellor John Smith with his family


After a series of heart attacks forced a period of absence from the House, John Smith, the former Chancellor, passed away in early May of 1993. Smith's death was not regarded as a shock, indeed, he'd been beset by health issues, but most of his colleagues had expected him to pull through and at worst, retire from active politics. The blow hit his close friends such as Roy Hattersley the hardest. David Owen, who had been present when Smith suffered the first of multiple heart attacks while in the Commons bar. Owen himself began administering CPR to Smith who responded at first and was taken to St. Bartholomew Hospital and appeared to be recovering at first. However, with his wife and daughters all with him, Smith suffered a fourth (the third in three weeks) heart attack. This one proved fatal to him.


british_soldier_funeral_4b7eae7b28c7d.jpeg

Smith's funeral procession was attended by more than 3,000 people


"It is among the saddest days I have ever spent upon this earth. John Smith was more than just a politician of extreme kindness, generosity and foresight. He was also a great friend, and a friend that I will miss very much." - MP who wished to remain Anonymous after Smith's funeral.



 
Just to inject something here, but by the mid 80s it was impossible for the Hong Kong issue not to be resolved. If this was not resolved by 1985, mortgages could not be issued and Hong Kong's property and finance sectors would collapse. So whether or not the Alliance wanted to face the issue, it had to then anyways. And I suspect their final result would not be much different from OTL's result, except with democratisation occurring in the late 1980s with mutual agreement with Deng.
 
Party Positions on the Issues from 1991-1995

Taken from "A Study of British Electoral Politics"


Conservative Party



1. Constitution - House of Lords is fine as it is. Return to FPTP. - (centre-right)
2. Council Tax - Introduce Council Tax to take place of Progressive tax - (centre-right)
3. Defense - Fund as priority. Complete Trident program - (centre-right)
4. Devolution - Continue to support some powers to regional assemblies - (centrist)
5. Economy - Reduce regulation and promote capital economy - (centre-right)
6. Energy - Fully privatize coal industry. Focus on renewable energy - (centrist)
7. Environment - Protect environment through govt. initiative - (centre-left)
8. Equality - Promote equal opportunities for women and minorities - (centrist)
9. Europe - Strengthen the Community, but oppose Social Chapter - (centrist)
10. Immigration - Root out fraudulent asylum seekers. Maintain quotas - (centre-right)
11. Income Tax - Reduce rates of tax. Abolish capital gains tax - (right)
12. Industry - Knowledge economy is our future. Boost financial services - (centre-right)
13. NHS - Private sector partnership with NHS to improve facilities - (centre-right)
14. N.Ireland - Negotiate to keep NI in UK. Support RUC and police - (centre-right)
15. Privatization - Privatize British Rail. Tendering for public services - (centre-right)
16. Education - Education is best provided by the private sector - (right)
17. Trade Unions - Further curb union power to strike, but keep minimum wage. - (centre-right)
18. Welfare - Stamp out abuse. Promote Welfare-to-Work - (centre-right)



Democratic Party

1. Constitution - Support PR. Fully elected House of Lords. - (left)
2. Council Tax - Dump it and support progressive income tax - (centre-left)
3. Defense - Cancel Trident and prioritize UN peacekeeping - (centre-left)
4. Devolution - Support Scottish, Welsh, NI home rule. Create Cornish assembly - (centre-left)
5. Economy - Invest in public works. Modest tax cuts for middle class - (centre-left)
6. Energy - Focus on renewable energy. Phase out nuclear power by 2020 - (centre-left)
7. Environment - Support govt. initiatives and further animal rights - (centre-left)
8. Equality - Support full rights for all, including gay marriage - (left)
9. Europe - Support Maastricht Treaty. Opt into Social Chapter. - (centre-left)
10. Immigration - Citizenship for all children born in Britain. Justice for refugees - (centre-left)
11. Income Tax - Small increase of 1p per pound in progressive rates - (centrist)
12. Industry - Balanced approach with targeted regulation and privatization - (centrist)
13. NHS - Protect the NHS. Free eye and dental care for all - (left)
14. N. Ireland - Anglo-Irish talks will unite us against terrorism - (centrist)
15. Privatization - Privatization should be complemented by extensive regulation - (centrist)
16. Education - Invest in schools. Smaller class sizes. Higher teacher pay - (centrist)
17. Trade Unions - Stick with reforms. Support modest raise in minimum wage - (centre-left)
18. Welfare - Increase welfare for pensions and family benefits - (centrist)



Labour Party

1. Constitution - Support Alternative Vote. Reform House of Lords - (centre-left)
2. Council Tax - Replace Progressive tax with Land Value Tax - (left)
3. Defense - Exit NATO. Begin nuclear disarmament - (left)
4. Devolution - Support current devolution. No English or Cornish assemblies - (centrist)
5. Economy - Increase taxes to pay for a nationalization program - (left)
6. Energy - Focus on renewable energy. Phase out nuclear power - (centre-left)
7. Environment - Establish EU Pollution Force. Promote animal rights - (centre-left)
8. Equality - Equal opportunities for women and minorities - (centrist)
9. Europe - Skeptical about Europe. Oppose Social Chapter - (centre-right)
10. Immigration - End all racist restrictions on free movement - (left)
11. Income Tax - 25% basic rate and 50% top rate for high earners - (centre-left)
12. Industry - Protect manufacturing and industrial sectors through state policy - (centre-left)
13. NHS - Increased NHS investment. Train more doctors and nurses - (centre-left)
14. N. Ireland - Support Irish unity through popular consent. Oppose IRA - (left)
15. Privatization - Renationalize industries that Tories and Democrats sold off - (left)
16. Education - Increased funding for state schools. End Assisted Places - (centre-left)
17. Trade Unions - Defend right to strike and increase in minimum wage - (left)
18. Welfare - Create Citizen's Income. Boost welfare and pensions for all - (centre-left)




 
Just to inject something here, but by the mid 80s it was impossible for the Hong Kong issue not to be resolved. If this was not resolved by 1985, mortgages could not be issued and Hong Kong's property and finance sectors would collapse. So whether or not the Alliance wanted to face the issue, it had to then anyways. And I suspect their final result would not be much different from OTL's result, except with democratisation occurring in the late 1980s with mutual agreement with Deng.

Possible. The result is going to eventually be the same as it was, however it not occurring in the 80s has already been touched on in this timeline and it would be useless to go back to it now, but rather just to focus on moving it forward with the Heseltine Ministry.
 
Been thinking of reviving this one... Any interest left to see where it goes?

drcynic

Would definitely like to see more, if you haven't decided already. [Bad timing as been away for a fortnight so couldn't respond earlier.]

Steve
 
I often wonder about how Americans would reshape the destiny of the Alliance and Democrats. Excellent broad-brush story so far: I have subscribed and look forward to further updates.

With Labour continuing to disappoint, and no significant strikes in the 1980s, Heseltine is heading for a long-overdue clash with Scargill and the mining and transport unions. Admittedly Labour will not be stoking the fires to cause tensions but many Conservative activists and right-wingers will be aching to finish Thatcher's plans and rid the UK of the wishy-washy Social Market nonsense at the first opportunity.
 
Sorry for lack of updates for so long, but I'm moving within the next month and haven't had a chance to write anything.
 
Sorry for lack of updates for so long, but I'm moving within the next month and haven't had a chance to write anything.

drcynic

No problem. Best of luck with the move. Hopefully it won't be took chaotic and frustrating. Get back to the TL when you can please but get well settled in 1st.;)

Steve
 
Top