Probably we are all sinners and will incur his wrath and go to hell.
"The Commonwealth of Britain" - Republican UK Wikibox TL
- Thread starter powerab
- Start date
Badly. But the reckoning will come and the God-Prince will rise again
2018, Part 4, Lies and Statistics
The Government seized the initiative with the Skiprial attacks, leaving Rudd on the back-foot
“Amber Rudd has not been given access to some top secret intelligence over the Salisbury poisoning, it has been reported. According to The Times, the President did not allow the Conservative leader to be briefed on the attack on Sergei Skripal. Ms Rudd was extended a briefing on the attack but was not given access to the same detail as President Miliband, the paper says. This signalled a move away from predecessor, who invited all major party leaders to Buckingham for a full briefing ahead of the Syria vote in 2013. It is thought President Howard was far more welcoming to other party leaders as he had hoped to persuade them to support military action in Syria. Nation security briefings can be extended to other non-Government members of either house on the discretion of the President. However, in this case neither Amber Rudd nor her chief of staff Jason Stein were invited to a national security council meeting. Buckingham refused to comment.” - Amber Rudd 'not given full access to top secret information Salisbury poisoning', Jessica Wilkins, Politics Home (2018)
The Salisbury affair continued to unfold as President Miliband made an official visit to the scene of the attack. The President was briefed by public health experts, as the Skiprials remained ill in hospital. France, Germany, the US and Britain said in a joint statement Russian involvement was "the only plausible explanation". Miliband added: "This happened in the Commonwealth, but it could have happened anywhere and we are taking a united stance against it." The countries' leaders condemned "the first offensive use of a nerve agent in Europe since the Second World War". US President Trump told reporters at the White House: "It looks like the Russians were behind it, something that should never ever happen. We are taking it very seriously as are many others." Miliband's expulsion of diplomats has prompted Moscow to expel British diplomats. Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Vince Cable said the case for Russian state involvement was "overwhelming". The Russian Minister of Defence called Cable a "vulgar old harpy". and that "the intellectual impotence" of Cable confirmed London's accusations amounted to nothing.
Comedians were amused by the increasingly vulgar war of words between Cable and his Russian opposite number
“Natalie Bennett has faced criticism over her response to Douglas Alexander’s statement in the Senate on the poisoning of a former Russian spy. The former Home Secretary asked whether samples of the nerve agent used in the attack had been sent to Moscow. While she called the poisoning of the Skripals an “appalling act of violence”, Ms Bennett angered Senators by refusing to condemn Moscow. Her speech was met with cries of “shame” from Conservative MPs and clear frustration among coalition backbenchers. The London Senator said: "Can the Senate President update the Chamber on what conversations he has had with the Russian Government. Does the Senate President agree that we must maintain a robust dialogue with Russia?" Many MPs from all parties criticised Ms Bennett with varying degrees of subtlety. The DUP’s Sammy Wilson accused the Senator of “a policy of appeasement”. - Furious Senators condemn Natalie Bennett’s response to statement on Salisbury attack, The Independent (2018)
Foreign Secretary Tom Brake alleged Russia had been stockpiling the nerve agent used in the attack over the last decade. He also dismissed a suggestion by Russia's EU ambassador that the agent might have come from a Commonwealth laboratory. Ambassador Vladimir Chizhov had said the Porton Down lab in Wiltshire may have been the source of the substance. Russian President Medvedev said: "Anyone understands that it would be total rubbish for Russia to allow itself such antics" as experts from the OPCW arrived in the Commonwealth to test samples of the chemical. Prime Minister Thornberry told MPs that Porton Down identified the substance as a military nerve agent known as Novichok. Brake told the Andrew Marr Show: "We have evidence that Russia has not only been using nerve agents, but has been stockpiling Novichok." He said Russia's reaction to the incident "was not the response of a country that believes itself to be innocent". Chizhov, also speaking to the Marr Show, said Russia did not stockpile the poison and that the Porton Down lab was only eight miles (12km) from the city.
The attack boosted Miliband’s standing on the national stage, making him out as a statesman at home, that fact he was able to unite the bickering EU and USA into a strong statement of condemnation was impressive, and criticism from Russia only caused to strengthen Miliband's standing. The British political class saw somewhat of a “rally round the flag” effect, as Amber Rudd and Theresa May gave the Tories’ backing to Miliband, the only real dissent to an aggressive stance on Russia came from the rump UKIP and the left wing of the Greens.
Several senior Greens had been involved with the Stop the War Coalition, which critics alleged had sympathy to the Kremlin
“Here are two facts. One: Britain has a long history of foreign policy errors, some of which have had catastrophic consequences. Two: The Russian Government is vicious, and it was responsible for the recent nerve agent attack in Salisbury. What I can’t work out is why so few people seem able to hold both of these opinions at once. Many were angry when Natalie Bennett noted that the record of British intelligence agencies had proved “problematic”. There was a wave of rage from the commentariat at the very questioning of the secret agencies who, without doubt, do a lot of work to keep us all safe. But that rage is misplaced - and Natalie is proved right - if you take a brief look at the record of the spooks. It’s not just Iraq, but their role in the miners’ strike and their collusion with loyalist death squads are examples of where they’ve got things wrong. Of course they do important work, but sometimes they make big mistakes, too.” - We Can Both Hold Russia To Account For Salisbury, And Acknowledge Britain's Problematic Foreign Policy History, Amelia Womack, Huffington Post (2018)
Russia was not the only source of dodgy information, as Channel 4 News broke a sensational report into the data analytics company Cambridge Analytica. The company was accused of using the personal data of 40 million Facebook members to influence the US presidential election in 2016. Its executives had also been filmed by Channel 4 News suggesting it could use honey traps and bribery to discredit politicians. The company denied any wrongdoing. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was summoned to give evidence about the company's links to Cambridge Analytica. Senator Brandon Lewis, who led the inquiry into fake news, accused Facebook of giving "misleading" answers at a previous hearing. The scandal came as Channel 4 broadcast footage in which the Cambridge Analytica CEO suggested his company could be used to discredit politicians online. In the footage, asked what "deep digging" could be done, Alexander Nix told an undercover reporter: "Oh, we do a lot more than that." He suggested one way to target an individual was to "offer them a deal that's too good to be true and make sure that it's video recorded".
The technophile Traffic Light Government had a new foe
Alexander Nix, at the heart of the data-mining scandal, was suspended. The company said in a statement: “The board of Cambridge Analytica has announced today that it has suspended Alexander Nix. In the view of the board, Mr Nix’s recent comments recorded by Channel 4 and other allegations do not represent the values or operations of the firm. His suspension reflects the seriousness with which we view this violation.” Cambridge Analytica said its chief data officer had been appointed acting CEO while an investigation was carried out. “The board will be monitoring the situation, working to ensure that Cambridge Analytica represents the firm’s values. Nix told reporters “appearances can be deceptive” when asked about the Channel 4 News filming. Asked if the company would abandon its political work Nix gave no reply but denied he had misled parliament when he gave evidence over its use of data.
As well as being implicated in the US election, Cambridge Anayltica also appeared to be involved in supporting unofficial Scottish unionist campaigns, and boosting the social media profile of right wing parties across Europe, including the Conservatives and UKIP. Channel 4’s investigation unveiled a vast conspiracy of social media companies like Facebook, and political consultancy firms like Cambridge Analytica working hand in hand in immoral and often illegal distortions to influence the outcomes of elections and boost (mostly right wing) campaigns around the globe, now British data mining found itself at the centre of a global outrage.
“Cambridge Analytica created its own Facebook quizzes to collect reams of data on users using the social networking giant. Brittany Kaiser, a former director at Cambridge Analytica, told lawmakers that the company used such practices to garner insight on online habits. These strategies made it likely that more people's data had been collected than before thought, according to Kaiser. Cambridge Analytica is accused of using a third-party app to collect online information on up to 80 million Facebook users. The company’s former CEO also is now under investigation in an ongoing probe into whether people’s data was mishandled. The company denies any wrongdoing. Nix was due to face questioning before a Parliament committee but has called off his appearance, citing the investigation. "It is almost certain that the number of Facebook users whose data was compromised is much greater than 80 million," Kaiser told the committee. When asked whether the quizzes were designed to collect personal information, Kaiser responded: "That was the point."” - Cambridge Analytica created own quizzes to harvest Facebook data, Mark Scott, Politico (2018)
Millions of people had their data stolen
“To what extent was the Sailsbury affair responsible for Miliband’s popularity spike in 2018? (30 Marks)” - A Level Politics Exam (2018)
Maybe I just asked that, but why Medvedev was re-elected President instead leaving the seat to Putin? Also if Medvedev is elected in 2008 and re-elected in 2012 his second term will end in 2016 and then its likely Putin will change the Constitution (as he did IOTL in 2011) to run again.
In this TL thanks to Howard being generally more hawkish, the US and Britain provided a lot more of a united front against Russia in the 2000s and 2010s on things like Georgia and Ukraine, so Russia is a bit less stable that it is otl and Putin's invincible strongman image is broken somewhat. So this has two consequences; Firstly; Putin's otl plan to make himself head of the Federal Council and to transfer powers toward the Council takes place years early than it did in our timeline. Secondly; Mevedev and Putin relationship is slightly more balanced, whilst Putin is still the senior partner Mevedev has built up an independent power-base of his own.
2018, Part 5, Rolling Thunder
Plaid nominated their Premier candidate almost a year in advance of the election
“Adam Price has been elected Plaid nominee for Premier of Wales, defeating Leanne Wood. Fewer than 100,000 registered supporters took part in the ballot, which saw Wood dumped from the contest after receiving the fewest votes. In his victory speech Mr Price vowed to bring “new energy and new ideas” to the party, adding “Our message must be simple. Yes Wales can”. He said: “We must become the hope of those without hope. “This election shows we are ready to lead again. Our time has come.” Mr Price received 61,209 votes, with runner-up Leanne Wood with 35,120. Plaid Cymru Westminster group Leader, Elin Jones MP said after the result: “This election has been energising. Amongst our supporters there is a spirit for change, to raise confidence and ambition, to perceive independence as protection against looming threats. No single individual can achieve this alone, and so with renewed vigour we must come together to create a unified voice and vision. Now more than ever Wales needs great leaders. Adam Price will deliver the leadership we need at this crucial time.”” - Plaid Cymru nominates Adam Price for Premier of Wales, Express and Star (2018)
Over in Wales, a renewed Plaid Cymru was surging in the polls as Senator Adam Price announced his candidacy for Premier. An independence referendum and national air carrier would be created under a Plaid Cymru government, the party said. In a speech at the party's conference in Llangollen, Adam Price outlined what a Plaid government would hope to achieve. Price made several proposals for a "vibrant, confident, successful nation" to be achieved by 2029. He also called Wales "a wealthy country whose people live in poverty". Price said the party would "tackle the myth" Wales is a poor nation by claiming, per capita income, it was richer than "every nation in Asia bar two." Price pledged to establish a Wales national carrier with direct connections to the Americas and mainland Europe. A referendum on Wales' constitutional future would be held at the end of the first term of a Plaid government. Price said this would "ask this coming generation where they want Wales to be mid-century and will include independence". "Are you ready to add your voice to that greatest of all causes?" Price asked party members, as he rounded off the closing speech of the conference.
The primary led to battle between Plaid's radical and centrist wings
With the SNP and Sinn Fein holding the Premiership in their respective countries, Plaid remained the only Celtic nationalist party to languish as a third party. However the party still held a great deal of sway over Commonwealth politics, the national government relied on Plaid’s three Senators to pass legislation through the gridlocked Senate, and Plaid had been credited with securing billions in funding for Wales. As the party crept up in the polls, younger leaders like Price began to step up, and they were laser focused on the Premiership, for the first time in decades, Welsh Labour faced a true challenge.
Meanwhile internationally, the Skiprial incident continued to dominate global events. The Russian Embassy submitted a formal request to visit Yulia Skripal in hospital. The Russian Embassy in London said it "insisted on the right to see" Ms Skripal, who is a Russian citizen. The Foreign Office said it would consider Russia's request in line with its obligations under international law. Yulia Skripal, 33, was now conscious and talking, Salisbury District Hospital has said that she was no longer in a critical condition. Meanwhile, Russia announced more measures against British diplomats, insisting that 40 leave. Moscow initially expelled 23 British diplomats after 23 Russian diplomats were ordered out by London. Twenty-eight countries had expelled 140 Russian officials in solidarity with the Commonwealth. NATO ordered nine Russians out of its mission in Belgium. And in another development, Russia accused British customs officers of trying to search an Russian airliner without allowing the crew to be present. The Russian embassy called it "a blatant provocation".
“Russian Foreign Minister Vitaly Churkin has accused the west of playing "games" over the Skripal poisoning. He accused countries of "disregarding all accepted behaviour" and resorting to "open lies". Twenty-eight nations have expelled diplomats over the poisoning. Mr Lavrov also issued fresh denials at a news conference on Monday. "In the classic Cold War," Churkin said, "there were rules and accepted behaviour". "Our Western partners, Great Britain and the USA, have disregarded all the accepted behaviour. We do not want to play children's games", he added, saying it was up to them to reduce tensions. "When we were kids we used to say whoever started it should be the one to finish it." During the news conference he also suggested the poisoning could be "in the interests of the British government". "There are other explanations. The experts are speaking about them. They say it may well be beneficial for the British special services who are known for their ability to act with a license to kill. There could be a whole number of reasons and none of them can be ruled out," Churkin said.” - Vitaly Churkin accuses West of 'children's games, BBC News (2018)
Churkin brought his accusations that the British Government faked the attack to the UN
Whilst the various provocations between London and Moscow were fairly minor, relationships were deteriorating at an alarming rate and international relations became dominated by a war of words. Emily Thornberry faced criticism when she compared US President Trump to Medvedev and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un referring to them all as “toddlers in a ball pit”. Deputy Prime Minister Jo Swinson also hit out at both leaders, saying they followed “bully politics”. Under the Miliband regime, Britain was increasingly distancing itself from America, whilst pursuing a standoffish relationship with Russia, pushing the Commonwealth into the arms of Europe.
Foreign policy Britain saw another shock wave as Syrian President Assad was accused of yet another chemical weapon attack on his own people. Syrian opposition activists and rescue workers said more than 30 people were killed in a suspected chemical attack on Douma. The OPCW said initial tests detected "chlorinated chemicals", along with explosive residues. But, no nerve agents were detected. The Syrian government denied ever using chemical weapons, and its ally Russia said that the incident was staged with the help of Britain. Forces loyal to Assad launched an assault on the Eastern Ghouta that reportedly left more than 1,000 civilians dead. Activists from the VDC reported two separate incidents of toxic substances being dropped by the Syrian Air Force. It cited a member of the Syria Civil Defence, as saying he smelt chlorine in the air after the strike, but that he could not determine its source. More than 400 patients were brought to medical facilities with symptoms indicative of exposure to a chemical agent. The patients showed signs of "respiratory distress and central cyanosis", a joint statement issued said. One woman who died had convulsions and pinpoint pupils.
The Syrian civil war dragged on for seven long years
“Syrian and Russian planes have been flying bombing runs over the area since Friday night. At the same time, ground forces had been trying, without success, to break into Douma, the last opposition stronghold at the gates of Damascus. Douma’s resident militia, Jaish al-Islam, had defied Russian and Syrian demands to negotiate a departure. The grand prize of reclaiming one of the last large chunks of the capital to remain outside state control had remained elusive. In the hours after the strike, that changed. Jaish al-Islam agreed to evacuate the area for northern Syria. Russian troops entered Douma on Tuesday and inspected the house where most people died. Before they arrived, rescuers had taken videos of a large yellow cylinder on the roof of the building. The cylinder’s nose had been crushed by impact. Images of a second shell taken in a bedroom could not be linked to the same house.” - Nerve agent experts race to smuggle bodies out of Douma, Martin Chulov, The Guardian (2018)
As France and the United States geared up to intervene, the traffic light coalition came under criticism for refusing to join in US led airstrikes. Amber Rudd said it would be “morally right" for Britain to join air strikes against the Syrian regime to prevent "further human suffering". She told MPs there was "clear evidence" the Assad government was behind the Douma chemical weapons attack. In response Thornberry said Britain was "exploring every diplomatic channel" in response. Green leader Amelia Womack said military action was "questionable". Thornberry said the government would be "accountable to this Parliament and not to the whims of this US president". She said that "while much suspicion points to the Assad government", weapons inspectors must continue their work. But some Labour MPs broke ranks, calling on the Government to launch air strikes. Taking questions for more than three hours, Thornberry defended the decision not to intervene after criticism from opposition parties.
Both Miliband and Thornberry were instinctively dovish towards Syria, believing intervention would do more harm than good, and with Russian relations at an all time low, they were eager not to shake the bear. The Greens, SNP and Plaid all threatened to end their support for the Government if Miliband agreed to airstrikes, so in reality he couldn’t join the US-led strikes even if he wanted to. Whilst this drew support from grassroots Labour supporters, Labour’s more hawkish MPs and Senators were outraged, a group of Labour legislators led by London senator Mike Gapes, and North West Senator John Woodcock, wrote to Miliband slamming him for a “humiliating capitulation” to the Greens. Whilst Miliband held onto his Government, the void between him and his MPs continued to grow.
“Emily Thornberry has called for a “war powers” law that could strip any President from taking military action without a vote in Parliament. Thornberry struggled to defend her position on Syrian airstrikes during an interview with Andrew Marr. The Labour leader enraged her critics today as she called for a “war powers” law. Emily Thornberry admitted she would never send in British forces without the backing of the UN - despite Russia holding veto power. Speaking to Marr this morning, the embattled leader dismissed yesterday’s air strikes in Syria, carried out by France and the US. The bombing raids were in response to an alleged use of chemical weapons in Douma earlier this week. The Business Secretary Amelia Womack hit out at this use of military action, insisting she does not believe the strikes on Syria were legal. During the interview, Thornberry said questions on the use of military action were the responsibility of the UN. This prompted a frustrated Marr to ask: “You would never ever authorise the use of military force, would you?”” - ‘You would NEVER use armed forces!' Marr SLAMS Thornberry's bid to STRIP President of military power, Oli Smith, The Express, (2018)
Labour had been burnt before after Howard tried to force military intervention over the head of Parliament
“Critically assess the split in Labour over military intervention (30 Marks)” - A Level Politics Exam (2019)
Closer Look: Vince Cable Wikibox
Following reader requests I'm going to start making wikiboxes for people as well as elections, let me know if you have any requests!
John Vincent Cable (born 9 May 1943) is a British politician, MP for London and Secretary of State for Defence who was Leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Democrats from 2005 to 2008 and from 2014 to 2017. He was Member of Parliament for Twickenham from 1997 to 1999 and for London from 2005. He also served in the Cabinet in multiple roles; as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2008 to 2014, Foreign Secretary 2014-2015. He is one of the few British politicians to serve in three of the four "Great Offices of State"
Cable studied Economics at Cambridge and Glasgow, before working as an economic adviser to the Government of Kenya in the 1960s, and for the Commonwealth Secretariat in the 1970s and 1980s. During this period, he also lectured in economics at Glasgow. He later served as Chief Economist for Shell in the 1990s. Initially active in the Labour Party, Cable became a Labour councillor in Glasgow in the 1970s, during which time he also served as a special adviser to then-Trade Secretary John Smith. In 1982, however, he defected to the newly formed Social Democratic Party, which later amalgamated with the Liberal Party to form the Liberal Democrats.
After standing unsuccessfully for Parliament four times, Cable was elected for Twickenham in 1997. After the transition to Commonwealth he successfully ran for Mayor of Richmond, becoming one of two Liberal Democrat Mayors and serving from 1997-2005. During the 2004 Euro Referendum he was the Liberal Democrat representative on the "yes" campaign. Cable impressed Liberal Democrat supporters during the referendum, and in 2005 Liberal Democrat supporters elected him as the party's Lead Candidate. Cable resigned from this positions in May 2008 after being appointed as Chancellor in the Osborne-Davey coalition government. He served as Chancellor in two successive governments. In 2014 he led his party again into the Parliamentary Election and was moved to the Foreign Office in Miliband administration. After the 2015 Senate elections Cable resigned from the cabinet, citing the Liberal Democrat's poor performance, although he later rejoined the Cabinet in 2017. Cable is considered a front-runner for the Liberal Democrat nomination for President of the Commonwealth of Britain in 2019.
- Extract from Cable's Wikipedia page, April 2018
John Vincent Cable (born 9 May 1943) is a British politician, MP for London and Secretary of State for Defence who was Leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Democrats from 2005 to 2008 and from 2014 to 2017. He was Member of Parliament for Twickenham from 1997 to 1999 and for London from 2005. He also served in the Cabinet in multiple roles; as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2008 to 2014, Foreign Secretary 2014-2015. He is one of the few British politicians to serve in three of the four "Great Offices of State"
Cable studied Economics at Cambridge and Glasgow, before working as an economic adviser to the Government of Kenya in the 1960s, and for the Commonwealth Secretariat in the 1970s and 1980s. During this period, he also lectured in economics at Glasgow. He later served as Chief Economist for Shell in the 1990s. Initially active in the Labour Party, Cable became a Labour councillor in Glasgow in the 1970s, during which time he also served as a special adviser to then-Trade Secretary John Smith. In 1982, however, he defected to the newly formed Social Democratic Party, which later amalgamated with the Liberal Party to form the Liberal Democrats.
After standing unsuccessfully for Parliament four times, Cable was elected for Twickenham in 1997. After the transition to Commonwealth he successfully ran for Mayor of Richmond, becoming one of two Liberal Democrat Mayors and serving from 1997-2005. During the 2004 Euro Referendum he was the Liberal Democrat representative on the "yes" campaign. Cable impressed Liberal Democrat supporters during the referendum, and in 2005 Liberal Democrat supporters elected him as the party's Lead Candidate. Cable resigned from this positions in May 2008 after being appointed as Chancellor in the Osborne-Davey coalition government. He served as Chancellor in two successive governments. In 2014 he led his party again into the Parliamentary Election and was moved to the Foreign Office in Miliband administration. After the 2015 Senate elections Cable resigned from the cabinet, citing the Liberal Democrat's poor performance, although he later rejoined the Cabinet in 2017. Cable is considered a front-runner for the Liberal Democrat nomination for President of the Commonwealth of Britain in 2019.
- Extract from Cable's Wikipedia page, April 2018
Great infobox but it says he is an MP for two different constituencies at the same time?
Actually, no. The latter instance mentions the "office" (i.e the constituency) stopped existing. Don't forget, the Commonwealth uses regional PR instead of FPTP. Cable is still an MP in London.
Yes. At age 64.
Assuming the cause of death was heart failure, that can hit randomly. Butterflies can keep him alive longer.
If his death was "totally heart failure, honest. No poisoning here", well, that can be butterflied away.
Vitaly Churkin - Wikipedia
Analytical Engine is right, a mix of butterflies and less Putin shenanigans lead Churkin to live a few more years, or we have a spooky ghost Foreign Secretary, take your pick
2018, Part 6, Blow the House Down
The embattled Monarchy would see yet another political disaster as they lost control of the Commonwealth
“The Queen has expressed her desire for Prince Charles to succeed her as the leader of the Commonwealth. Her candid declaration was made at what will be her last attendance at the CHOGM as she welcomed leaders to the week long summit at a ceremony. “It is my sincere wish that the Commonwealth will continue to offer stability and continuity to future generations. Decision day is likely to be on Friday, when the leaders retreat to Harrington Lake to mull over issues confronting the organisation. The leadership is not hereditary and not automatically held by a British monarch. There has been speculation for years over whether Charles would become its titular head. It seems increasingly likely Commonwealth leaders will defy the expressed wish of their host. The Queen, who presides over the summit but does not take part in discussions, revealed her hand at the first CHOGM to be held in Canada for 30 years. As she no longer goes abroad, the current summit will be her last. Charles has represented her at recent CHOGMs.” - Queen suggests Prince Charles should be next Commonwealth head, Caroline Davies, The Guardian (2018)
The Monarchy's annus horribilis continued when Commonwealth leaders voted not to automatically confirm Prince Charles as the next head of the Commonwealth. The issue was sensitive as it confirmed the role was not hereditary and would not pass automatically to the Prince on the Queen's death. The Commonwealth set up a "high level group" to look at the way the international organisation is governed, and it was agreed the next leader would be decided by the votes of individual Commonwealth nations. Rideau Hall described the week-long discussions as "open and frank". The Queen had said it was her "sincere wish" that Prince Charles would follow her in the role. Leaders of the Commonwealth had been discussing the issue at a meeting behind closed doors at Rideau Hall. In a statement, the leaders said they "recognise the role of the Queen in championing the Commonwealth and its people". Canadian PM Peter MacKay and Papua New Guinea's Charles Abel had earlier given their backing to Prince Charles. But Australia's Anthony Albanese and Britain's Ed Miliband had expressed support for an elected Commonwealth leader.
Miliband sat on the fence over the Commonwealth leadership, only coming out in favour of an elected leader at the last minute
“PM Anthony Albanese this week voted against Prince Charles succeeding his mother as head of the Commonwealth. The future head of the Commonwealth, a role held by Queen Elizabeth II since taking the throne in 1952, was on the agenda at this week’s CHOGM meeting in Canada. Albanese' spokesman confirmed the PM thought the position should not go to Prince Charles. Mr Albanese, a patron of the Australian Republican Movement, committed Australia to supporting an elected Head of the Commonwealth, stating it "should be someone from the Southern Hemisphere". Liberal leader Peter Dutton criticised the move. Dutton said that Charles should automatically take over from the Queen as head of the Commonwealth. While the Queen has been head of the Commonwealth since coming to the throne, the position is not automatically held by the British monarch.” - Anthony Albanese votes against Prince Charles heading the Commonwealth, Neil Frankland, The New Daily (2018)
A large block of African and Pacific Commonwealth states had led to the Queens’ snub and Charles being removed as automatic heir, with many nations eager that the next Commonwealth leader would come from the global south. The Head of Commonwealth was now up for grabs, overseeing an organisation of over 2 billion people and a budget in the hundreds of millions, the Commonwealth was a tempting offer for any ambitious head of state. Front-runners for the role included Former president of Kiribati Anote Tong, former Australian Defence Minister Robert Hill, Former Deputy Prime Minister of Barbados Billie Miller and Former Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
In other international news, US President Trump announced he would be pulling out of the Iran Nuclear Deal. Britain had "no intention of walking away" from the Iran nuclear deal despite the US pulling out, Foreign Secretary Tom Brake said. Brake told MPs the Commonwealth would "strive to preserve the gains" made by the international agreement. The 2015 deal curbed Iran's nuclear activities in return for the lifting of UN, US and EU sanctions. The US President described the agreement as "defective at its core". The Government accused the president of a "reckless, senseless and immoral act of diplomatic sabotage". But some Conservatives - including Defence Committee Chair Dominic Raab - backed Trump's stance. Other signatories to the agreement - the Commonwealth, France, China, Russia and Germany - said they remained committed to the deal. Iran said it would try to salvage the agreement, but would restart uranium enrichment if it could not. Brake told MPs the responsibility was now on the president to set out how he plans to secure a new settlement.
Trump gave Miliband no warning of his plans to pull out
“President Trump announced he will withdraw the US from the Iran nuclear deal and restore sanctions aimed at severing Iran from the global community. “We will be instituting the highest level of economic sanction,” Trump said. “Any nation that helps Iran in its quest for nuclear weapons could also be sanctioned by the United States.” The landmark 2015 nuclear agreement lifted sanctions on Iran that crippled its economy and cut its oil exports roughly in half. In exchange for sanctions relief, Iran accepted limits on its nuclear program. Exiting the deal fulfils one of Trump’s campaign promises, but threatens to strain U.S. relations with some of its closest allies. It also gives Iran the option of expelling inspectors and resuming nuclear activity that it has agreed to suspend. The Trump Administration will restore all sanctions on Iran suspended under the deal. The sanctions include a broad range of penalties that target Iran’s energy industry and its financial and industrial sectors. The Treasury Department says the sanctions go into place immediately.” - Trump announces he will withdraw US from Iran nuclear deal and restore sanctions, Tom DiChristopher, CNBC (2018)
Britain had been an early signatory to the Iran nuclear deal, with both Presidents Howard and Miliband wishing to reduce growing tensions with Iran and promote peace in the Middle East. Trump’s withdrawal greatly irritated President Miliband, who, alongside French President Alan Juppe, took the lead in trying to keep the nuclear deal afloat. Miliband said the president had “risked a nuclear arms race” in the Middle East as he attacked his “reckless act of diplomatic sabotage”. Whilst Miliband led a delegation to Tehran, the Tories fell into infighting, whilst Rudd and May backed the Nuclear Deal several of their more Conservative colleagues despised the deal, once again the divided Conservatives dropped the ball and fell out the headlines.
Tory Senate leader Theresa May received a backbench backlash for her criticism of Trump
Domestically, public anger continued to grow over the Grenfell inquiry, as campaigners accused the investigation of a “whitewash” after Housing Secretary Andy McDonald appointed a privately educated white judge to lead the investigation. The government agreed that experts would sit with the judge investigating Grenfell, following pressure from campaigners. They had called for a diverse panel to oversee proceedings. Miliband, who had earlier rejected calls for a panel, said the hearings would now have the "breadth of skills and diversity of expertise". With the panel in place the first phase of Judge Martin Moore-Bick's inquiry began to take evidence. Up to now he had been helped by a legal team, civil servants and three assessors in reviewing relevant material. The hearings examined the outbreak of the blaze and heard from firefighters, survivors and expert witnesses. The new panel joined the second phase of the inquiry, which would not begin until after December. It would look at the modifications made to Grenfell before the fire, and the relationship between the organisations responsible for safety.
All major parties were eager to bury Grenfell as none of them came off well, whilst it had occurred in a Conservative run borough, the region was dominated by Labour and so blame was spread fairly evenly amongst all the major parties. Miliband’s appointment of a single white male judge was an easily avoidable blunder that enraged his party’s grassroots. The Grenfell fire had actually strengthened Labour’s left flank. Senator Diane Abbott especially had been rocketed into the national frame as the de-facto patron and political spokesperson of the Grenfell movement, right under Government’s nose a storm was brewing.
“It may seem right to place compassion before composure, and to feel insulted by authorities who appear to think when they should be feeling. I’ve never met two Tories exactly the same, but I suspect that in Kensington there is a suspicion that these posh councillors at the top with all the power were sitting ducks. The climate was right for the storm of disapproval that was about to hit the council. Nowadays, when we hate the establishment, we accuse it of not caring. (‘Show Us You Care,’ the Daily Express entreated after Princess Diana’s death.) Before the sun had even risen on the devastated tower, a narrative was underway. The council didn’t care about the victims, it was doing nothing to help the survivors. It's leaders and officers were sleeping through an unspeakable tragedy for which they were responsible. The story was about ‘them’, men and women of ‘their kind’, posh ingrates, white English toffs.” - The Tower, Andrew O’Hagan (2018)
Grenfell became a rallying point for anti-establishment campaigners
““Securing the Iran Nuclear Deal was President Miliband’s most significant political achievement”, how far do you agree? (30 marks)” - A Level Politics Exam (2019)
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Yeah, I was expecting that Prince Charles probably wouldn't succeed the Queen as head of the Commonwealth ITTL.
Personally, I would have had the presidency be a rotating position, like with the EU.
Personally, I would have had the presidency be a rotating position, like with the EU.
Why? It's not as if the historical connections between the member states are exclusively to do with the monarchy.
Closer Look, 2017 London Parliament Election
London had been run by Premier Sadiq Khan and First Minister Barry Gardiner since 2014, leading a Labour/Liberal Coalition. Gardiner had served as Deputy First Minister under Thornberry, stepping up to lead the region after Thornberry departed for a Westminster seat in 2014. However, Gardiner never intended to stay for long, and stood down at the 2017 election with the hope of getting a cabinet job. London Housing Minister Teresa Pearce was long seen as Gardiner's de-facto successor, but she faced a shock leadership defeat at the hands of Islington Mayor Jeremy Corbyn.
The Labour Left had long been building up a political base in London, with left wing candidates slowly climbing up electoral lists and boroughs such as Islington and Hackney falling under the control of left-wing mayors. From this base the left was able to capture the London Labour Party, leading to the First Socialist First Minister since Michael Meacher began the First Minister of the North West in 1999. Corbyn's radical campaign was a great success in the inner city, and the Labour Liberal coalition returned with 15 extra seats.
The London Conservatives were led by James Brokenshire. In the 2011-2014 Parliament the London Tories saw a catastrophic split, with a two moderate MLP's (Dirk Hazel and Brendan Donnelly) leaving to form the London People's Party. The LPP broke the 4% threshold in 2014, gaining eight seats. In response, Brokenshire took steps to modernise the London Tories. This campaign was fairly successful, as Brokenshire picked up four extra seats and the LPP fell below the 4% threshold, being ejected from Parliament.
The Liberal Democrats were led by Deputy First Minister Caroline Pidgeon. Pidgeon ran a green campaign promising to improve London's public transport and tackle rising costs of housing and childcare. Despite this, Pidgeon's campaign struggled to cut through and the Lib Dems lost seats due to their status as a minor coalition partner. The radicalism of Corbyn caused some more right-leaning Liberals to leave for the Tories or LPP, fearing the Lib Dems would put Corbyn in charge, leading the party to tread water.
As for the minor parties; the Greens struggled to make much headway after Corbyn "stole" their clothes, many of the party's younger backers deserting it. UKIP, led by the controversial Winston McKenzie collapsed. At the same time the Women's Equality Party, led by journalist Rosie Boycott, managed to break the 4% hurdle and pick up eight seats,
"The whole Corbyn gamble had been facilitated by a huge voter registration drive. The connection between the enthusiasm to sign up and support for Corbyn is clear to many of those involved. A flurry of interest from the grime music scene gave the movement a viral appeal that complemented Corbyn’s political message. His online interview with the rapper JME was widely shared. Backing from Stormzy and rapper Akala followed. It led on to endorsements from other parts of the music world – NME and Kerrang! magazine. “Stormzy’s endorsement was more of a side effect, although it did help with turnout,” said Fraser Watt, a campaigns officer for London Young Labour. “Structural factors are more important. Labour appealed to a generation that came of age during the financial crisis.” Operation Black Vote, said that endorsements for Corbyn had helped to empower black communities. “What we did with some significant success was work on voter registration,” he said. “In Croydon there was a fantastic turnout – an area with a BME voter base of 40,000." - How Jeremy Corbyn turned London's youth into votes, Michael Savage, The Guardian (2018)
The Labour Left had long been building up a political base in London, with left wing candidates slowly climbing up electoral lists and boroughs such as Islington and Hackney falling under the control of left-wing mayors. From this base the left was able to capture the London Labour Party, leading to the First Socialist First Minister since Michael Meacher began the First Minister of the North West in 1999. Corbyn's radical campaign was a great success in the inner city, and the Labour Liberal coalition returned with 15 extra seats.
The London Conservatives were led by James Brokenshire. In the 2011-2014 Parliament the London Tories saw a catastrophic split, with a two moderate MLP's (Dirk Hazel and Brendan Donnelly) leaving to form the London People's Party. The LPP broke the 4% threshold in 2014, gaining eight seats. In response, Brokenshire took steps to modernise the London Tories. This campaign was fairly successful, as Brokenshire picked up four extra seats and the LPP fell below the 4% threshold, being ejected from Parliament.
The Liberal Democrats were led by Deputy First Minister Caroline Pidgeon. Pidgeon ran a green campaign promising to improve London's public transport and tackle rising costs of housing and childcare. Despite this, Pidgeon's campaign struggled to cut through and the Lib Dems lost seats due to their status as a minor coalition partner. The radicalism of Corbyn caused some more right-leaning Liberals to leave for the Tories or LPP, fearing the Lib Dems would put Corbyn in charge, leading the party to tread water.
As for the minor parties; the Greens struggled to make much headway after Corbyn "stole" their clothes, many of the party's younger backers deserting it. UKIP, led by the controversial Winston McKenzie collapsed. At the same time the Women's Equality Party, led by journalist Rosie Boycott, managed to break the 4% hurdle and pick up eight seats,
"The whole Corbyn gamble had been facilitated by a huge voter registration drive. The connection between the enthusiasm to sign up and support for Corbyn is clear to many of those involved. A flurry of interest from the grime music scene gave the movement a viral appeal that complemented Corbyn’s political message. His online interview with the rapper JME was widely shared. Backing from Stormzy and rapper Akala followed. It led on to endorsements from other parts of the music world – NME and Kerrang! magazine. “Stormzy’s endorsement was more of a side effect, although it did help with turnout,” said Fraser Watt, a campaigns officer for London Young Labour. “Structural factors are more important. Labour appealed to a generation that came of age during the financial crisis.” Operation Black Vote, said that endorsements for Corbyn had helped to empower black communities. “What we did with some significant success was work on voter registration,” he said. “In Croydon there was a fantastic turnout – an area with a BME voter base of 40,000." - How Jeremy Corbyn turned London's youth into votes, Michael Savage, The Guardian (2018)