"The Commonwealth of Britain" - Republican UK Wikibox TL

[powerab]

Balls was accused of nepotism when he appointed his wife as Foreign Secretary

“Mrs Cooper's rise to power appeared to be losing momentum a few years ago, but the arrival of Ed Balls at 10 Downing Street brought her back with a bang. In her new role as Foreign Secretary, she will immediately be called on to help coordinate the Government's plans for the future of Libya. She serves under her husband Ed Balls, whom she married within a year of entering the House of Commons. They have three children. Ms Cooper began her career working in Arkansas in Bill Clinton's presidential candidate's team. She was later to become a policy adviser at the Treasury under Mr Brown. In the two years before the 1997 election, she also worked as an economics columnist and leader writer for The Independent newspaper. After her election as MP she spent two years on the education committee before becoming a junior health minister. In 2005 she became the First Minister of Yorkshire. Her popularity among Labour MPs means she seems set to be on the party's front bench in government, for many years to come.” - Yvette Cooper’s career continues apace, The Telegraph (2011)

Commonwealth Cabinet 2011 -
President - Michael Howard (Conservative)
Vice President - Michael Ancram (Conservative)
Prime Minister - Ed Balls (Labour)
Deputy Prime Minister - Chris Huhne (Liberal Democrat)
Senate Leader - Douglas Alexander (Labour)
Foreign Secretary - Yvette Cooper (Labour)
Chancellor - Vince Cable (Liberal Democrat)
Home Secretary - Natalie Bennett (Green)
Justice Secretary - Sadiq Khan (Labour)
Defence Secretary - Rosie Winterton (Labour)
Health Secretary - Alistair Carmicheal (Liberal Democrat)
Business Secretary - John Healey (Labour)
President of the Board of Trade - John Denham (Labour)
Work Secretary - Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat)
Education Secretary - Liam Byrne (Labour)
Environment Secretary - Caroline Lucas (Green)
Housing Secretary - David Laws (Liberal Democrat)
Transport Secretary - Andy Burnham (Labour)
Northern Ireland Secretary - Caroline Flint (Labour)
Scotland Secretary - Michael Moore (Liberal Democrat)
Wales Secretary - Peter Hain (Labour)
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary - Meg Hillier (Labour)
International Development - Norman Lamb (Liberal Democrat)

Ed Balls unveiled his cabinet ready for the confidence vote, although the promotion of his wife to Foreign Secretary was met with raised eyebrows she was a highly experienced and skilled politician. Vince Cable remained in place as Chancellor managing Britain's finances. Controversially Natalie Bennett was made the Home Secretary, despite Balls’ conservative rhetoric on immigration during the campaign he had put a free movement liberal in charge of Britain’s borders. This was especially objected by MPs from the Blue Labour tradition, lead by John Denham who argued the Green’s shouldn’t have been given a Great Office with only 29 seats.

Giving the Greens a Great Office was controversial, but it was the only way to get them in the coalition

“Britain should prepare to open its doors to almost a quarter of a million people, the leader of the Green party has claimed. Natalie Bennett said the UK has a 'humanitarian responsibility' to welcome 200,000 people. This is equal to the entire population of the city of Wolverhampton. Miss Bennett admitted that the number 'sounds daunting' but claimed Britain could not be a 'foot-dragger' on the world stage. Ed Balls promised Britain would welcome 'thousands more' refugees currently living in UN refugee camps. The Prime Minister vowed that 'Britain will act with our head and our heart'. He announced plans to expand a scheme to resettle over 5 times more refugees in the UK. The United Nations suggested the UK will take 3,000 more refugees, but Downing Street insisted no decision on numbers had been made. It is understood that the number will be in the 'thousands not the tens of thousands'. Labour Senator Simon Danczuk warned Balls against appointing Bennett as Home Secretary. He said she would allow "unprecedented economic migration." - Labour Senator BEGS Bennett not be made Home Secretary, Matt Chorley, Daily Mail (2011)

Bennett’s appointment was the most controversial part, and she got hit the hardest by the Conservative press, the Daily Mail ran with the headline “Bennett to let in 200,000 immigrants”. Outgoing Home Secretary Chris Grayling slammed Bennett as “simply not a credible choice.

Other noticeable appointments included David Laws as Housing Secretary, Huhne felt he needed to have at least some MPs from the right of the party in the cabinet, Danny Alexander turned Huhne down but Laws agreed to take a cabinet post. Balls also came under fire for the diversity of the cabinet, Khan was the only person from a BAME background and of the Cabinet’s 23 members only six were women, only four of the Labour appointments were women and not a single woman came from the Lib Dems.

Controversy aside the next 48 hours were crucial Balls had to pass his cabinet through the House of Commons first and then Senate the day after, if he failed they’d back to square one forming a new Government against a two week ticking clock, if he or Osborne failed another election would be called. Parliament was abuzz with rumours of various coalition MPs voting against the deal, northern Labour MPs concerned with Bennett’s immigration policy, right-leaning Liberal Democrats worried about economic chaos, and left-wing Greens who saw the coalition deal as a betrayal. The party whips got to work desperately trying to hold it all together.

“His ability to control government seems to be the most positive aspect of Ball's premiership. Balls and Labour may well lose power in 2014, but, if he can preserve the coalition for five years, it will have been a remarkable achievement. Like John Major in 1992-97, Balls can no longer rely on his parliamentary majority. His coalition is split on such issues as immigration, taxation and relations with the EU. But much credence should be given to Ball's group of whips and enforcers, a lot can be said about Balls, but soft is not one of them, if anyone in Labour can hold it together it's likely to be him.” - UK Government & Politics Annual Update, Neil McNaughton (2011)

Balls' reputation for ruthlessness helped him herd his MP's into the right lobby

As the whips concluded their last minute begging and wrangling the Honourable Members entered into the voting lobbies. The vote was going to be close, whilst the whips had managed to drag the number of rebelling MPs, around fifteen coalition MPs still hadn’t made up their mind, as the tellers emerged the country watched the fate of the new Government.

"The ayes to the right, 327. The noes to the left, 315. The ayes have it, the ayes have it. Unlock!"

All in all eight Labour MPs, three Lib Dems and a single Green MP rebelled against the coalition walking through the no lobby with the Conservatives, with the support of their Northern Irish sister parties the coalition managed to get the slimmest of majorities. Now Balls knew what he was working with, a functional majority of 12. It wasn’t a brilliant start but his Government had passed it’s first challenge.

If the coalition couldn't pass a simple confident vote, how would it pass its major legislation?

Now onto the Senate, this would be trickier, on paper the coalition had 335 seats, a majority of nine in the House of Commons. But in the Senate they had 180 seats, a majority of just one, even with the support of the SDLP and Alliance they couldn’t afford a rebellion on the scale they saw in the Senate. Balls personally rolled up his sleeves and called around various coalition MPs who were seen to be wavering, especially his colleagues in the Yorkshire caucus of Labour MPs.

Despite Ball’s best efforts he had very little time, just a few hours between the end of the Parliamentary vote and when Senators would make up their minds. The whips informed Balls that whilst they had managed to carouse many coalition Senators, ten said they still wouldn’t make up their minds until the very last minute. Balls and Huhne had done all they could, their fate was now out of their hands.

"The ayes to the right, 181. The noes to the left, 168. The ayes have it, the ayes have it. Unlock!"

With only four Labour rebellions and two Lib Dems, Balls had done it, with a majority of 13 in the Senate he had passed the confidence vote, the first ever “Traffic Light” coalition was officially in charge.

“The Deputy Prime Minister, the Home Secretary and I are not always going to agree on every issue. I know that, whatever disagreements we may have along the way, that members will never stop giving me plenty of tough advice. Because we in this coalition value the commitment to a strong economy and a fair society that is this country at its best. Mr Speaker, we know the previous Government has failed. But this is no time for complacency for the new one. Because we know: when living standards are squeezed, we know who pays the price. When public services are scaled back, we know which communities lose out. When unemployment becomes entrenched, we know which areas suffer most. When only some children succeed, we know which children will be left behind. So rest assured... Chris Huhne and I and the whole of the cabinet are determined to show - for the sake of millions of workers across our country - that there is a better way. Mr Speaker, there is an alternative. I intend to start winning the argument right now. Thank-you.” - Ed Balls’ Parliamentary Victory Speech (2011)

The idea of an "alternative" would be a large part of Balls' branding

How far do you agree with this statement "appointing a Cabinet is the Prime Minister's most important job." (30 Marks) - A Level Politics Exam (2019)

 

[Analytical Engine]

"Playing Hard Balls" - The Sun, probably.

 

[Rillium]

Very good!

 

[Fenrisúlfr]

Interested to see what the Greens do in government! I can't help but think it was a mistake for them to ask for one of the great offices when they have no experience of ever being in government before. If they'd gone the slow and steady route, taken more junior ministerial positions they would have been able to build up more experience and avoid any blowback from disastrous policies. Oh well, I guess they'll learn the hard way.

Having four different parties in charge of various parts of the same government (Tory President, Labour PM, Lib Dem Deputy PM, Green support) is going to lead to some tastey chaos.

Even if the Tories gain power in the next election (2015?) and there's an EU ref it might not be a Leave vote this time. 4 fewer years of austerity will make a big difference.

If there is an indyref in Scotland, then having a Labour-Lib Dem-Green coalition in power will severely reduce the number of Leftists who vote for Indy I imagine.

Enjoyed the update, looking forward to where you take this next! Surely this TL should get a Turtledove?

 

[powerab]

Interested to see what the Greens do in government! I can't help but think it was a mistake for them to ask for one of the great offices when they have no experience of ever being in government before. If they'd gone the slow and steady route, taken more junior ministerial positions they would have been able to build up more experience and avoid any blowback from disastrous policies. Oh well, I guess they'll learn the hard way.

Having four different parties in charge of various parts of the same government (Tory President, Labour PM, Lib Dem Deputy PM, Green support) is going to lead to some tastey chaos.

Even if the Tories gain power in the next election (2015?) and there's an EU ref it might not be a Leave vote this time. 4 fewer years of austerity will make a big difference.

If there is an indyref in Scotland, then having a Labour-Lib Dem-Green coalition in power will severely reduce the number of Leftists who vote for Indy I imagine.

Enjoyed the update, looking forward to where you take this next! Surely this TL should get a Turtledove?

Thank you, I'm glad you're enjoying.

Since the precedent has already been set with figures like Ashdown, Kennedy, Cable and Huhne getting Great Offices, the Greens felt they needed to demand one to be seen on level-pegging with the big parties. At lot of Greens are hoping to copy Joschka Fischer's relatively successful stint as German Foreign Secretary, give the Greens some respectable elder states-people.

The next election is in 2014 which will cover the President and Parliament. Austerity hasn't been entirely cancelled as the coalition isn't reversing the cuts between 2008-2011 and they're still committing to halving the deficit, cuts are still happening just nicer slower cuts, its part of the reason the Green left faction is up in arms. An EU referendum is still possible but it doesn't look likely to happen anytime soon.

Same with indyref as the SNP is less influential than in OTL a near-future indyref also seems unlikely.

Then again with such a small majority, three years is a long time in politics

 

[powerab]

Operation Telic was Yvette Cooper's first challenge

“When the UK participated in the US-led invasion of Iraq in March- 2003, one of the historical analogies that critics seized upon was the Suez war of 1956. This was in reference to the international furore this caused, and the ignominious end of Operation Musketeer. Yet Operation Telic represented the culmination of British intervention in the region. From the counter-insurgency campaign in Oman, to the controversial conclusion of the occupation of Iraq. During which the Presidential Palace in Basra was requisitioned by the British Army. The various British interventions in the middle east opened old wounds at home and abroad, changing British political culture forever. The Middle East wasn't just a wedge issue, it was the wedge issue.” - British Military Involvement in the Middle East, Lecture by Geraint Hughes, King's College London (2012)

The First act of the Balls administration was to put an end to Operation Telic, withdrawing all British troops from Iraq. It was a mostly symbolic move as only around 100, mostly navy personnel remained in Iraq in a training capacity and they were going to be removed at the end of the year anyway. The Iraq War had still scarred the nation, at its peak around 40,000 British personnel were in Iraq, at a total cost of £9bn. But for Balls it was an opportunity to draw a line under Blair/Brown era and a way to appease the left of the Liberal Democrats and the Greens.

The first major test of the coalition was planned industrial action by the National Union of Teachers and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers over the old Government's plans to cut teachers pensions, cuts the new Balls coalition said they would not reverse. The teachers' unions were campaigning against changes to their pensions which they said would mean working longer, paying more and getting less when they retire.The strikes slowly spread across various other public sector workers including civil servants and council workers.

Several of the Unions protesting had been the "moderate" Unions who backed Balls during the leadership campaign

Balls was eager to distance himself from the strikes as not to be seen in the pocket of trade unions. He warned the unions shouldn’t walk into the “trap” of industrial action. Education Secretary Liam Byrne said he did believe unions wanted to have "a proper debate and discussion." "There is a huge amount of room for dialogue. There is a huge amount of detail about public sector pensions that we've been discussing in the talks... and we need to take that forward over the coming months." He insisted the talks could still be constructive, adding: "I don't think my message is uncompromising at all."

For the trade union movement and the young left wingers who voted Labour or Greens, Ball’s lukewarm attitude to the strikes was bitterly disappointing. Mary Bousted, leader of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, told a rally in London Balls' stance was "a disgrace". "I am pleased we are not affiliated to Labour," she said, to loud applause. "The response of Ed Balls has been a disgrace - he should be ashamed of himself. If our strike is a mistake, what has he done to stop this devastating attack on our pensions? If the Government will not defend our pensions, we will. We haven't been able to negotiate, we haven't had the basic information we need from the government. To come at this stage, two days before the strike, and say, 'You should negotiate, there's another way round'... is unhelpful and ill-informed."

Unite, the GMB and Unison, who all backed Balls' leadership campaign also spoke out in condemnation. Backbench Labour and Green MPs also raised concerns Green MP Joseph Healy said that public sector workers "expected more" from the Labour leader and urged Balls to listen to their concerns over pensions.

"Unions and the Government should "give ground" to avert "disruptive" public sector strike, Ed Balls has said. He told the BBC's Andrew Marr show "there has to be a deal, it takes both sides to sort this out". The strike over pensions could involve up to two million people, including teachers and border control staff. Chancellor Vince Cable said the current offer was a "good deal", but unions say the proposals are unfair. Mr Balls said: "I would urge the unions to get round the table, give some ground and sort this out, it is terrible we are going to have a strike on. "I don't think anybody wants it, it will be disruptive for families and businesses." But he said he also had sympathy for low paid workers whose contributions were going up while the Government cut their pensions. "We've got to give some ground, so have the unions," he said."There has to be a deal, it takes both sides to sort this out. I would urge the union leaders to say we'll give ground and we'll talk." Unions say proposals which need their members to work longer before collecting their pension are unfair." - Balls urges unions to give ground, BBC News at 6 (2011)

Balls felt being seen as to close to unions would hurt his "iron discipline" image

At the same time as the strikes the News of the World paper announced it would be shutting down. James Murdoch announced this, after days of increasingly damaging allegations against the paper. The 168-year-old tabloid had hacked into the mobile phones of crime victims, celebrities and politicians. The Met Police said it was seeking to contact 3,000 possible targets named in seized documents. Its editor Colin Myler said it was "the saddest day of my professional career". He added that "nothing should diminish everything this great newspaper has achieved". The News of the World, which sold nearly 2 million copies a week, was famed for its celebrity scoops and sex scandals. Downing Street said it had no role or involvement in the decision to close. Murdoch said no advertisements would run in on its last paper - instead any advertising space would be donated to charities and good causes.

Many in Labour who had hoped the scandal would break the power of the Murdoch press in Britain were sorely mistaken. Murdoch announced to replace the outgoing News of the World, the Sun, arguably even more hostile to Labour would be transitioning into a seven day a week paper, and the Murdoch’s flagship paper in the Commonwealth, Murdoch wasn’t going down easily.

“In many ways, the Leveson Inquiry marked the close of the era during which Murdoch's power and influence in Britain seemed to be burgeoning. He was after all 80 years old when the Inquiry took place. His bid to achieve outright control of the broadcaster BSkyB - and thus dominance of the British media landscape had succeeded. At the same time, there was palpable backlash in Britain against his brand of scabrous, down-market tabloid journalism. There was a prevailing sense that- from the other side of the Atlantic Ocean he himself knew what went on at the News of the World in east London. He had nurtured a tabloid ethos that had debased the British body politic . Yet, if Murdoch's newspapers had damaged the cultural fabric of Britain that damage was not going to be undone. Besides, his most successful British newspaper, the Sun, albeit with a contracted circulation, is still in business. The News of the World has after a fashion been reincarnated into the shape of the Sun on Sunday.” - The News of the World and the British Press, 1843-2011, Laurel Brake, (2016)

The Sun became Britain's dominant tabloid paper

Another split for the coalition came in constitutional reform, specifically on the issue of e-petitions. An Osborne coalition flagship policy e-petitions would allow members of the public to submit petitions to the Government, if they received over 10,000 signatures they would receive an official Government response, more than 100,000 and they would be debated in Parliament.

The petitions had been a key ask from the Liberal Democrats and this had carried over into the Balls coalition, the policy also had support from the Greens who were proponents of direct democracy. However the policy was opposed by Labour. They cited Guido Fawkes’ planned campaign to bring back the death penalty, Fawkes claiming they already had 100,000 signatures ready to go. Justice Secretary Sadiq Khan (who also had responsibility for constitutional affairs) said "This seems to be an attractive idea to those who haven't seen how useless this has been in other parts of the world when it's tried. If you ask people the question 'do you want to pay less tax?', they vote yes. If we get the e-petitions in there will be some asking for Jeremy Clarkson to be prime minister, for Jedi and Darth Vader to be the religions of the country. The blogosphere is not an area that is open to sensible debate. It is dominated by the obsessed and the fanatical and we will get crazy ideas coming forward."

The issue of e-petitions hadn’t been covered in the coalition agreement, the decision came down to the Cabinet, with a small majority, strikes and splits on direct democracy the coalition was off to a rocky start, but Balls had to make a decision.

"Had he not conspired to wreck the economy and lower standards in the nation's schools, there would be something laughable about Ed Balls. Yet somehow he managed to keep a straight face yesterday when he delivered an astonishing line. 'Trying to blame the deficit on Labour's supposed wasteful public spending and fiscal profligacy is a work of total fiction.' When Labour came to power, the UK owed £340billion. By the time the last government's unprecedented spending binge on the public sector was over, the national debt was £800billion. On course to reach a ruinous £1.3trillion by 2016. Mr Balls's utter detachment from reality was further evident in his big new idea that Britain should be embarking on a unfunded tax giveaway. Had the UK carried on spending in the way suggested by the deluded Mr Balls, we may well be in the same mess as riot-torn bankrupt Greece. It is to George Osborne's great credit that the Commonwealth can borrow money from the markets at one of the lowest rates in Europe." - Debt, denial and the delusions of Mr Balls, Daily Mail (2011)

Balls and Cable's "Five-Point Plan" came under criticism for ignoring the deficit

To what extent did trade union power grow during the Balls coalition? (30 Marks) - A Level Politics Exam (2019)

 

[JDGiant]

I hope Cressida Dick becomes Met Commissioner at some point during the Balls Premiership.

 

[Analytical Engine]

I hope Cressida Dick becomes Met Commissioner at some point during the Balls Premiership.

Sun-puns. Sun-puns everywhere.

 

[jammci]

Sun-puns. Sun-puns everywhere.

"Dick and Balls in Back alley meetings"

 

[powerab]

Ralph Findlay, a London Pub Landlord, started one of the most popular petitions, to end beer tax

“Every year, the beer tax escalator increases the tax on beer by 4% above the rate of inflation. This adds more pressure on the British pub, the cornerstone of many of our communities. Removing the beer duty escalator at the next budget will help keep beer more affordable. It will go a long way to supporting the institution that is – the great British pub. Going to the pub is a core British tradition and so is enjoying great beer. If you want to continue enjoying your fresh pint in your local pub then it’s crucial that you support our campaign. If we don’t show our support for the great British pub, we risk losing more pubs and more jobs within our local communities. Support great beer in the great British pub and sign our e-petition now..... British Pubs Need You.” - Stop the beer duty escalator, petitions.parliament.uk,

Eventually the coalition reached a decision on petitions, the website would be going ahead, but the threshold would be raised to 30,000 signatures for a Government response and 150,000 signatures for a Parliamentary debate. This was seen as a win for the Liberal Democrats and Greens as several Labour figures were strongly against keeping the petitions. Immediately the issue of the death penalty was the most substantial issue, in a few hours a petition calling for the return of the death penalty received nearly 1,000 signatures, however the Government could take solace in the fact a petition opposing the return of the death penalty received 3,000 signatures by 5pm on launch day.

Amnesty international warned the petitions could see the re-induction of the death penalty

However splits over the petitions would be the least of the coalition's problems. In August, a police officer shot and killed 29-year-old Mark Duggan during a targeted vehicle stop procedure. The police said that the arrest was part of an operation to investigate gun crime in the black community. The incident had been referred to the IPCC, which was standard practice if death or serious injury follows police contact. After the shooting, the media reported that a bullet was found embedded in a police radio, implying that Duggan fired on the police. Friends and relatives of Duggan said that he was unarmed. The police later revealed that initial ballistics tests on the bullet recovered from the radio stated that it was a police issue bullet. The IPCC later stated that a loaded pistol, was recovered from the scene. It was wrapped in a sock, and there was no evidence that it had been fired. The IPCC later stated that Duggan did not open fire. "It seems possible that we may have led journalists to wrongly believe that shots were exchanged." The bullet that had lodged in an officer's radio is believed to have been an over-penetration, having passed through Duggan's body. A meeting was called by police between local community leaders and councillors. Police were warned that there could be another riot like the Broadwater Farm riot if local concerns on the death were not addressed.

Several violent clashes with police followed Duggan's death. This gained attention from the media. Overnight, looting took place in Tottenham Hale retail park and nearby Wood Green. The following days saw similar scenes in other parts of London. The worst rioting taking place in Hackney, Brixton, Walthamstow, Peckham, Enfield, and Battersea. Other towns and cities in England saw what was described by the media as "copycat violence". More than 2,000 arrests had been made across England. More than 900 people were issued with criminal charges for various offences related to the riots. Courts sat for extended hours. There were just over 3,000 crimes across London that were linked to the disorder. Along with the four deaths, at least 15 others were injured as a direct result of related violent acts. An estimated £200 million worth of property damage was incurred, and local economic activity was compromised.

“There was still no police presence at Wood Green high street at 4am. Rioters had smashed and raided dozens of stores and raided, setting of alarms. Around 80 youths sprinted around the highstreet. They targeted game shops, electrical stores and high-street clothes chains. Rioters smashed glass windows and the looters, young men masking their faces, swarmed in. They emerged with handfuls of stolen goods. "I've got loads of G-Star," said one teenager, emerging from a clothes shop. Others came out clasping shopping bags stuffed with goods. Three teenagers ran down the street with suitcases filled with stolen clothes. Around ten young men stood outside a smouldering Carphone Warehouse, the windows smashed. The theft was casual and brazen, with looters peering into broken shop windows to see if items of value remained. There were shocking scenes in the suburban back-streets. Residential front-gardens were used to sort and swap stolen goods. A teenage boy, who looked aged around 14, drove a stolen minicab down a side-street.” - Paul Lewis, Guardian Live Blog (2011)

Politically the result was electric, Haringey Mayor David Lammy said the events were "an attack on Haringey, on people, ordinary people, shopkeepers, who are now standing on the streets homeless". The MP insisted the situation was nothing like the one that prevailed at the time of the Broadwater Farm riot in Tottenham in 1985. "Relations between the community and the police are now very different," he said. But Lammy did suggest that the police could have handled the situation in Tottenham better. "There are questions about the nature of the escalation of this violence last night, and the nature of the policing that led up to it," he said. "I am concerned that what was a peaceful protest turned into this."

A double decker bus was burned in Tottenham

Many politicians placed the blame at the feet of Blackberry Messenger or BBM, which allowed rioters to communicate without the police's knowledge. BBM allowed users to send one-to-many messages to their network of contacts, who are connected by "BBM PINs". For many teens armed with a BlackBerry, BBM had replaced text messaging. It was free, instant and more part of a much larger community than regular SMS. Unlike Twitter or Facebook, many BBM messages were untraceable by the authorities. London Senator Chukka Ummuna called Called for Blackberry’s messenger service to be “disabled” between 6pm and 6am. Umunna’s calls were backed by London Premier Boris Johnson, and fellow Conservative Senator Stephen Hammond.

"I ask my hon. Friend to bear with me for a few minutes because I want to talk about another way in which the police response could have been better. The harnessing, sharing and analysis of intelligence. We should not constantly monitor our citizens, even if we had the resources to do so. We should not see this level of police deployment continuously. Public order planning and intelligence will need to be better. This is not the first time that criminals with plans to disrupt life in our towns and cities have used technology to plot their crimes. Social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook have been used to coordinate criminality. I will convene a meeting with the police and the social media industry to work out how we can improve the technological capabilities of the police” - Chris Huhne speaking in a Parliamentary Debate on Public Disorder (2011)

Deputy PM Huhne took the lead on technological reform

The opposition was in uproar, President Howard condemned the riots as proof of a “soft-touch coalition, out of their depth and out of their minds.” Osborne sort to unite the law and order vote around the Conservative Party and in an aggressive press conference he described the looters as “sickening” and “thugish” individuals. The BNP were quick to take advantage of the situation, far-right thugs took to the streets and London BNP MP Robert Bailey, put on leaflets to constituents around riot affected areas "Looter Beware: British defenders protect this area."

As Balls and Bennett called a Cobra meeting to address the riots, the Sun was somehow even less subtle than Bailey. Its front-page said one thing: “Anarchy!”

“The pall of smoke over blazing London is on view to the entire world this week. Our capital city may be a hub of global finance, a “safe haven” for investors' billions, the showcase for the 2012 Olympics. But what they are seeing is our high streets ablaze, our stores, cafes and supermarkets closing in fear of marauding thugs and arsonists. From Australia to Africa and America, TV audiences wonder if they are watching scenes from Britain or Mogadishu. Tragic scenes of devastation and violence have even wiped the global economic meltdown off the front pages. So, who is responsible and what can we do about it? Well, don’t blame the police on the streets of Hackney, Croydon or Brixton for letting Britain down. Blame their politically-correct commanders and the politicians when the “underprivileged” resort to violence. Blame the Macpherson Report which emasculated our police by branding the entire force “racist”. Blame Justice Secretary Sadiq Khan or the Green’s “Home Secretary” crusader Natalie Bennett who believe a slap on the wrist is the answer.” - Two views of riots that shame Commonwealth, Trevor Kavanagh, The Sun (2011)

The riots would be Bennett's baptism in fire

Critically assess the Balls coalition’s response to the 2011 riots (30 marks) - A Level History Exam (2019)

 

[powerab]

Bennett rejected more radical measures to quell the riots like curfews, water cannons or deploying the army

As Parliament was recalled to deal with the escalating crisis, Home Secretary Natalie Bennett announced all police leave would be cancelled and she would be deploying a further 9,000 officers on the streets of London. This brought the total number of police active in the capital to 14,000. For some this was too soft, The Conservatives like called for the use of water cannons. UKIP and the BNP called for soldiers to be deployed on the streets of London, UKIP Senator Steven Woolfe called for the army to bring order to the streets of London in a speech that went viral in right-wing circles.

The combined police presence and petering out of public anger brought the violence to an end after days of riot. Business Secretary John Healey announced further support for businesses affected by the event. Vice President Michael Ancram praised police bravery but said it was clear that many more officers were needed alongside more "robust" action, in veiled criticism of the Government.

Conservative figures tried to portray themselves as the party of the police

As the riots subsided the discussion of cause began. The Government blamed police cuts made by the previous coalition, alongside public dissatisfaction caused by austerity and various political scandals. For people on the right the riots were proof of a soft-touch coalition “enabling” criminals, Bennett became somewhat of a hate symbol amongst the right wing press and there were growing calls for her to resign.

“Look, Mr Balls took a risk on the Greens, and it backfired, there’s no shame in admitting that. What he has to do now to fix the problem he caused. He needs to say to Ms Bennett and the Greens “look you’re clearly not ready, have the Department for Transport or something.” If that means the coalition ends so be it. At a time of national crisis we need experienced leadership. He should give Bennett the sack and give the role of Home Secretary to an experienced elder statesman. Unfortunately I fear the Prime Minister wont do this as he’s desperate to hang on to powers and he can’t risk losing the Greens, but there are good, patriotic backbench Labour and Liberal MPs who can force his hand if necessary by, joining with Conservative MPs in the national interest, in calling a no-confidence vote” - Conservative Senator and Chair of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the National Security Strategy Gerald Howarth, speaking on Question Time (2011)

Economic issues also hurt the Commonwealth, many blamed the riots on high unemployment which had risen to 2.5 million by the summer of 2011, the coalition decided to meet this using large green infrastructure projects. Headlines included the opening of Britain's first ever hydrogen filling station in Swindon, the cancellation of a fracking project in Lancashire, and commissioning a project to build the world’s largest solar bridge in London.

These projects came under scrutiny from the opposition, the Lancashire fracking operation could have extracted 200 trillion cubic feet of gas, which they claimed would have provided 5,000 jobs, with an average salary of £50,000. Conservative Charles Hendry claimed Labour was “throwing businesses under the bus, and jobs down the drain” by opposing fracking. On the issue of the solar bridge UKIP Senator Jane Seymour criticised the coalition for engaging in “eco-vanity” whilst ignoring the deficit, the solar bridge was expected to cost as much as £8 million. This vast cost helped contribute to the opposition’s narrative that Balls had little knowledge, or care for the deficit.

Balls put a lot of political capital behind his "four point plan" which did little to directly address the deficit

“Conference… Trying to cut the deficit too far, too fast isn’t working. This Government will adopt a steadier, more balanced plan to get our deficit down. We will take immediate action now to support the economy and create jobs here in Britain. So here are five immediate steps the government will take right now. Step one – repeat the bank bonus tax again this year – and use the money to build 30,000 affordable homes and guarantee a job for 120,000 young people. Step two – bring forward long-term investment projects – schools, roads and transport – to get people back to work. Step three – reverse the damaging VAT rise now for a temporary period – a £500 boost for a family with two kids – immediate help for our high streets. Step four – announce an immediate one year cut in VAT to 5% on home improvements, repairs and maintenance. Step five – a one year national insurance tax break for every small firm which takes on extra workers. Conference… a plan to help struggling families and small businesses, get our economy growing and create jobs.” - Ed Balls’ Conference Speech (2011)

The policies were also criticised as hypocritical by some in the Labour Left and the Green Party, Green MSP Patrick Harvie pointed out whilst the coalition had blocked fracking and pushed for further Green investment in England, in Scotland they had failed to block BP from drilling for oil in the Shetland islands.

The coalition's failure to shut down oil drilling in the Shetland islands caused a rift between the English and Scottish Green Parties

Concerns about the deficit bubbled to the surface when the independent Bank of England announced they would be injecting £80bn into the British economy through quantitative easing, this was in order to maintain interest rates at 0.4%. This announcement was seized on by Osborne and the Conservatives as proof of Labour’s economic incompetence, however the Bank initiated it wasn’t a political decision, instead being necessary to fund deals to try to boost the economy.

“The Bank of England recently announced its decision to inject £80 billion into the economy in its second round of quantitative easing. While there is still scope to boost the economy, the Bank’s policy is unlikely to improve confidence in the economy. Nor is it likely to spur bank lending, and it could lead to upward pressures on inflation. The Bank of England (BoE) has been more aggressive in its quantitative easing (QE) policy than had been expected. By moving earlier (in October rather than November, when it could have told a coherent story in the context of the Inflation Report) and buying more. The BoE had become more concerned about the prospects for both the UK and the Eurozon. They felt that nothing much would be gained by deferring the decision by one month.” - The Bank of England’s second round of quantitative easing may do little to improve economic confidence, lecture by Charles Goodhart, LSE, (2011)

Whilst the coalition was under attack from the right it also faced challenges to the left. Up to 4,000 people started demonstrating in London's financial district as part of a protest against corporate greed. Demonstrators, inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement in the US, protested outside St Paul's Cathedral. Scotland Yard said four people had been arrested - two for assault on police and two for public order offences. Organisers said they intended setting up a campsite but police said they would not allow this in front of the cathedral. Such a move would be "illegal and disrespectful", said the police. Rallies were held in 960 cities in 90 countries. Smaller demonstrations took place in other cities across the UK. Demonstrators attempted to set up another camp outside the London Stock Exchange but were prevented by the police. After protesters returned to St Paul's Churchyard officers prevented more people trying to join the protest. A thousand protesters congregated behind the police lines and heckled officers. Activists carried banners with slogans such as "We are the 99%" and "Bankers got a bailout, we got sold out". The coalition's latest challenge would be how to meet not just the Occupy protests but rising anger across the Commonwealth.

“Senator Ed Miliband says the protesters camped outside St Paul's Cathedral present a stark warning to the political classes. The former Presidential Candidate says that the protesters present a wake-up call. Although he added they should not be allowed to dictate the terms of such a critical debate. Miliband describes the Occupy London protest and others around the world as "danger signals". "The challenge is that they reflect a crisis of concern for millions of people about the gap between their values and the way our country is run." He adds: "I am determined that mainstream politics, and the Labour party in particular, speaks to that crisis and rises to the challenge". The former Environment Secretary has until now made no comment on British Politics since being passed over for a Cabinet job earlier this year. He will be hoping his comments today will chime with the wider electorate who he believes share some of the anger of those at St Paul's. Allies claim Mr Miliband is planning a second Presidential run in 2014, but he denies this.” - Politicians must listen to the St Paul's Cathedral protesters, Daniel Boffey, The Observer (2011)

The coalition, especially Labour, were split on how to respond to the Occupy movement

To what extent did the Traffic Light coalition reject it’s outsider image (30 Marks) - A Level Politics Exam (2019)

 

[powerab]

In 2011 Wales was one of only three regions still with a Labour Premier, Alun Michael. First Minister Kevin Brennan had been leading a coalition of Labour, Plaid and Liberal Democrats, however he decided not to seek a second term in 2011. Many attributed this to an expenses scandal he had whilst serving as First Minister. Brennan would later be made a Junior Minister in the Balls Government.

Labour selected Owen Smith as their new leader. A Welsh Parliament member and former Chief of Staff to Paul Murphy. Smith was seen as from the "soft-left" of the party. Smith ran on a platform of uniting Welsh Labour, who was often split between supporters of Premier Alun Michael and Former First Minister Rhodri Morgan. Labour ran on a platform of protecting Wales from austerity cuts from central Government, citing things like protecting the NHS and preventing tuition fees. Smith succeeded at the first task managing to unite Welsh Labour around his campaign. Smith's personal performance coupled with the national swing towards Labour allowed the party to pick up five seats.

The Welsh Conservatives chose David Jones, a member of the "British Freedom Caucus" of eurosceptic and socially conservatives Tories. An outspoken critic of progressive issues like gay marriage Jones hoped to win over socially conservative areas of rural wales, through policies like preventing the construction of further wind-farms on coastal wales. Jones failed to reach out the voters he need to become First Minister, the party stalled and lost two seats.

Deputy First Minister Hywel Williams led Plaid into the elections. Williams had originally been a temporary replacement to Ieuan Wyn Jones whilst Jones sort the Premiership, however Williams had impressed as Deputy First Minister and took the lead in the Parliamentary elections, Plaid emphasised its achievements in coalition like funding for Welsh language. Whilst Plaid faced loses like junior coalition partners tend to do they avoided being as damaged by the coalition as the Lib Dems.

As for the smaller parties, the Liberal Democrats were caught between their local coalition with Labour and their national coalition with the Tories, leading to them getting crushed by both sides, Welsh UKIP and Greens were both rife with divisions and failed to make an impact. The most interesting case was the Socialist Labour Party, always relatively influential in Welsh politics getting around 3% of the vote. The SLP had recruited Richard Booth,a bookshop owner and media eccentric famous for declaring himself the King of Hay. Booth's candidacy garnered real media coverage for the SLP for the first time ever, this coupled with left wing dissatisfaction with the Labour coalition allowed the SLP to break through into the Welsh Parliament.

After the election the coalition made a net gain of one seats and all three parties agreed for it to continue.

"Booth’s methods polarised people. Many felt that there was an honesty in his radicalism. His early vision of a rural revival was dismissed by many as being idealistic claptrap. Yet the sentiments he expressed then are now echoed by environmental groups. Driven by these ideas, Booth stood for election in the Welsh Parliament as a candidate for his own Rural Revival Party in 1999. Later he affiliated with Arthur Scargill’s hard-left Socialist Labour Party and led them into the Welsh Parliament. Booth adopted an anti-intellectual stance. Representing the community as a member of the Welsh Parliament allowed him to advocate for traditional farming. Booth’s lasting legacy lies in the advantage he made of changing dynamics in both book production and consumption. His ability to apply them to revive a community that suffered a dramatic decline in prosperity in the post-war years. His early success coincided with a time when the book was extending its influence beyond the educated bourgeoisie." - The King of Hay-on-Wye, Jane Frank, The London Magazine (2019)

 

[Along the bay]

Wi

In 2011 Wales was one of only three regions still with a Labour Premier, Alun Michael. First Minister Kevin Brennan had been leading a coalition of Labour, Plaid and Liberal Democrats, however he decided not to seek a second term in 2011. Many attributed this to an expenses scandal he had whilst serving as First Minister. Brennan would later be made a Junior Minister in the Balls Government.

Labour selected Owen Smith as their new leader. A Welsh Parliament member and former Chief of Staff to Paul Murphy. Smith was seen as from the "soft-left" of the party. Smith ran on a platform of uniting Welsh Labour, who was often split between supporters of Premier Alun Michael and Former First Minister Rhodri Morgan. Labour ran on a platform of protecting Wales from austerity cuts from central Government, citing things like protecting the NHS and preventing tuition fees. Smith succeeded at the first task managing to unite Welsh Labour around his campaign. Smith's personal performance coupled with the national swing towards Labour allowed the party to pick up five seats.

The Welsh Conservatives chose David Jones, a member of the "British Freedom Caucus" of eurosceptic and socially conservatives Tories. An outspoken critic of progressive issues like gay marriage Jones hoped to win over socially conservative areas of rural wales, through policies like preventing the construction of further wind-farms on coastal wales. Jones failed to reach out the voters he need to become First Minister, the party stalled and lost two seats.

Deputy First Minister Hywel Williams led Plaid into the elections. Williams had originally been a temporary replacement to Ieuan Wyn Jones whilst Jones sort the Premiership, however Williams had impressed as Deputy First Minister and took the lead in the Parliamentary elections, Plaid emphasised its achievements in coalition like funding for Welsh language. Whilst Plaid faced loses like junior coalition partners tend to do they avoided being as damaged by the coalition as the Lib Dems.

As for the smaller parties, the Liberal Democrats were caught between their local coalition with Labour and their national coalition with the Tories, leading to them getting crushed by both sides, Welsh UKIP and Greens were both rife with divisions and failed to make an impact. The most interesting case was the Socialist Labour Party, always relatively influential in Welsh politics getting around 3% of the vote. The SLP had recruited Richard Booth,a bookshop owner and media eccentric famous for declaring himself the King of Hay. Booth's candidacy garnered real media coverage for the SLP for the first time ever, this coupled with left wing dissatisfaction with the Labour coalition allowed the SLP to break through into the Welsh Parliament.

After the election the coalition made a net gain of one seats and all three parties agreed for it to continue.
View attachment 565767
"Booth’s methods polarised people. Many felt that there was an honesty in his radicalism. His early vision of a rural revival was dismissed by many as being idealistic claptrap. Yet the sentiments he expressed then are now echoed by environmental groups. Driven by these ideas, Booth stood for election in the Welsh Parliament as a candidate for his own Rural Revival Party in 1999. Later he affiliated with Arthur Scargill’s hard-left Socialist Labour Party and led them into the Welsh Parliament. Booth adopted an anti-intellectual stance. Representing the community as a member of the Welsh Parliament allowed him to advocate for traditional farming. Booth’s lasting legacy lies in the advantage he made of changing dynamics in both book production and consumption. His ability to apply them to revive a community that suffered a dramatic decline in prosperity in the post-war years. His early success coincided with a time when the book was extending its influence beyond the educated bourgeoisie." - The King of Hay-on-Wye, Jane Frank, The London Magazine (2019)

Weird they picked David Jones. He's my MP OTL.

 

[powerab]

Wi
Weird they picked David Jones. He's my MP OTL.

Wind farms have become and issue for Wales, especially amongst older Conservative members and supporters and rural voters in North Wales counties like Clwyd. There were several factors leading to Jones' election as Welsh Conservative Leader but his uncompromising stand against wind-farms was a major factory to helping him win over Conservative supporters.

 

[Analytical Engine]

So, "Does Labour have the Balls to stand to stand up to the Greens?" - The Sun, probably.

 

[Along the bay]

Wind farms have become and issue for Wales, especially amongst older Conservative members and supporters and rural voters in North Wales counties like Clwyd. There were several factors leading to Jones' election as Welsh Conservative Leader but his uncompromising stand against wind-farms was a major factory to helping him win over Conservative supporters.

I've never minded the wind turbines myself. Maybe I've gotten too used to them.

 

[Analytical Engine]

I've never minded the wind turbines myself. Maybe I've gotten too used to them.

Whilst I don't have any wind turbines near me, I can't say I have much objection to them.

 

[Lenzar]

I'll admit to not reading the whole thread, but if the country is now a republic, why are UKIP still called UKIP? There's not a United Kingdom anymore.

 

[Analytical Engine]

I'll admit to not reading the whole thread, but if the country is now a republic, why are UKIP still called UKIP? There's not a United Kingdom anymore.

IIRC, they still have a monarchist-slant. Or, at least, they did.

 

[powerab]

I'll admit to not reading the whole thread, but if the country is now a republic, why are UKIP still called UKIP? There's not a United Kingdom anymore.

@Analytical Engine is correct. UKIP never accepted the result of the 1998 referendum transforming the country into a Republic, their policy is to restore the monarchy and they still recognise Elizabeth Windsor as the rightful head of state, thus they've never seen fit to change their name