Devvy
Donor
1983: A Commonwealth task force is created with several representatives from different companies and countries to formulate a common standard for mobile communications after further rival standards are independently under development. Agreements on the dedicated use of a single technology type for use across the entire Commonwealth is agreed upon, with standardised frequencies and number formatting. In later years, the standardisation brings about a consistent user experience across the entire Commonwealth, with mobile phones easily working across different countries and seamless roaming between networks. The integrated digital network allows both voice and egram usage directly from the handset from the early days, under the "Commons v1" standard - COMmonwealth MObile Network Standards".
Zaire descends into a second civil war. Katanga Province, emboldened by a strong defence, declares itself independent, with the crisis in Zaire none of it's business. Politics in Katanga is quickly defined as to whether you are pro-independent or pro-Zaire, and pro-Zaire groups become increasingly militant in their methods despite being in the minority. The region (along with the country) plunges into instability, causing many worried politicians across the borders in East and Central Africa, and a steady stream of refugees becoming visible in Lusaka and Mbeya. Many head for Mbeya, mainly for linguistic reasons, as speakers of Swahili.
The Bolshevik manage to put a man on the moon. The long running Buran programme heralds the "Buran 9" flight, which puts a Bolshevik lander on the moon, staffed by 2 cosmonauts while 2 continue in lunar orbit. The move brings surprise in the United States, seeing another country emulate their achievements in landing men on the lunar surface (and returning successfully), and a famous picture of the Bolshevik flag placed alongside the US flag rapidly becomes one of those "iconic" pictures of time. The US has an incumbent President who is slashing funding for many federal programmes in order to attempt to balance the books however, and the NASA budget receives stringent cuts to it's previous budgetary funding.
The Commonwealth Chief Minister officially designates as India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and the United States as "Strategic Allies", opening up a reduction in tariffs between the countries. The move is generally popular amongst business, as it brings the prospect of increased trade and sales, but is generally less favoured by small businesses who are fearful of domination by more large multinational corporations.
The 1983 British General Election occurs, with the emergence of the Social Democratic Party cemented as the undisputed 3rd power in the House of Commons, although with the Conservative Party winning a slim majority. Amongst notable results is the election in Cornwall of David Treffry, formally an independent member but closely affiliated with the Cornish Home Party, who press for Cornish Home Nation status alongside Wales, Scotland, Ireland & Ulster.
1984: Elizabeth and Michael marry in London, in front of thousands of well wishers, and with royal pageantry on show at every turn. Symbolically, there is also a large wedding party a month later in Sydney as well, paying homage to Australia as the birthplace of the new royalty. King William bestows the title "Duke and Duchess of Sussex", which rapidly becomes their preferred names, although other honours from many of the Commonwealth Realms are awarded. Princess Elizabeth is finally the next in line to the throne, following Line of Succession Acts passing in most of the relevant realms (with a few promising to have finished passing Acts by the end of 1985), making the prospect of an Australian becoming the partner of the reigning Queen. Most senior people seem to be of the mind to make him a Prince, similar to Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria in years past (although Albert was technically Prince Consort).
Commonwealth members agree to working towards cuts in greenhouse gases, and being more environmentally friendly; largely pushed by the European, Canadian & Australian political voices. Members agree to work towards more recycling and better public transport. US-Canadian relations take a down turn, following harsh criticism of the proposed customs union. British backing is fervent; the high population of the "Home Islands" but love of the green rolling hills of England (and other Home Nations) provides strong public support for environmentalism and green policies in the UK.
Katanga makes overtures towards Commonwealth East Africa and Central Africa for recognition. Heart strings are tugged in East Africa for their fellow Swahili speaking brothers, and in Central Africa where Zambia has been affected by turmoil upon it's borders. The deepening civil war in Zaire causing a rift in Commonwealth foreign policy; some are wary of being dragged into another Somalia operation, but the Africans are hugely in favour of recognition and intervention in support of Katanga. By the end of the year, East Africa and Central Africa both recognise the "transitional state of Katanga" - effectively giving their backing to Katangan independence.
Oil and gas begins to flow in to the Commonwealth from the North Sea, "complementing" the Arabian oil reserves. The discovery makes the Commonwealth collectively the world's largest exporter (and consumer) of oil.
The Nordic Kingdoms jointly announce they will enter a unified team for the 1987 Football World Cup in Italy, and at the top level unify the Scandinavian football league system (Iceland remaining out due to incompatibilities; Iceland is far removed from Scandinavia and the football season runs through the summer instead) to form a Scandinavian 1st and 2nd division. The 1980s are a time when television is pushing it's way into every facet of life, and football stadium attendance figures are dwindling across the United Kingdom. Some begin to think about emulating the Nordic move; it hasn't helped that the 1983 World Cup in Brazil was the first since the Home Nations rejoined FIFA where none qualified for the tournament. Many of the bigger teams in England are in favour of such a move; Arsenal, Everton, Leeds, Newcastle United, Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, West Ham United and Wimbledon (the so-called "Group of 8") were the biggest advocates for a new league.
1985: The Commonwealth endorses it's own flag, based upon the design of the British Union Flag. It is an excerpt of the flag, featuring the top left corner - a blue background with a white and red diagonal line through it. Some deride it as a continuing symbol of British colonialism, but many see it as a flag on it's own merit with a nod to the roots of the Commonwealth. Either way, despite the lack of any real centralisation of power (the Commonwealth remains primarily an intergovernmental institution), the Commonwealth is rapidly forging it's own identity in international relations.
Canada's high speed rail and new hub airport at Montreal (Montreal-Mitterand Airport after the late Quebecois politician who died from a heart attack during his time in the Quebecois Government. Mitterand was one of the most public immigrants to Quebec from France in the 1940s). Dominion Airways immediately divert London-Canada flights to use the new airport, and the route is served by daily Clipper services from London - reflecting the ability to serve both the large Montreal city, and the Ottawa federal capital markets. Francair and many other larger airlines slowly follow suit as the previous city centre location is run down, with plans afoot to renovate it into a new business district for Montreal as spillover space from the very crowded downtown area in Ville-Marie.
The UK, France and the Nordics sign into being a full customs union and passport union, named the "Jersey Agreement" due to being signed in the British Channel Islands. All monies collected in customs and import duties are sent into a central fund, administered by the Government Offices in Belfast, with the proceeds being divided between the French, British & Nordic Governments proportionally according to population. The move also brought around a new pillar of immigration officials; a third of the immigration officials in each force would rotate around the other country's external border points in order to operate as a form of mutual oversight and build trust - especially needed in France due to the long eastern border and many crisscrossing roads. Canada would remain apart for the moment, choosing instead to enforce it's borders; many suspected quiet but severe diplomatic pressure upon Canadian officials by their American counterparts.
The promotion of Bolshevik politician Leonid Gromyko to Premier of the Central Committee brings a slightly reformist point of view to the high echelons of Bolshevik leadership. Gromyko would embrace further openness in the Bolshevik Republics; a certain tolerance for independent candidates in elections (which were traditionally only filled with Bolshevik candidates), a more independent judicial system - although still on a tight rein of control, and better entrenched gender equality. The first moves towards a redesign of the central Bolshevik Constitution would also be made, enabling further moves into a market economy; the enabling of property trading was a widely popular move, although price controls and controls over ownership remained.
The elections in 1985 in both Colombia and Venezuela returned highly left wing candidates, beginning the slide towards communism for both countries. Security concerns, unstable governments and rampant crime all combined for the election swing; both countries would be considered to have Bolshevik affiliations by the end of the decade, and would cause significant problems in the emerging Hispanic integration movements.
Zaire descends into a second civil war. Katanga Province, emboldened by a strong defence, declares itself independent, with the crisis in Zaire none of it's business. Politics in Katanga is quickly defined as to whether you are pro-independent or pro-Zaire, and pro-Zaire groups become increasingly militant in their methods despite being in the minority. The region (along with the country) plunges into instability, causing many worried politicians across the borders in East and Central Africa, and a steady stream of refugees becoming visible in Lusaka and Mbeya. Many head for Mbeya, mainly for linguistic reasons, as speakers of Swahili.
The Bolshevik manage to put a man on the moon. The long running Buran programme heralds the "Buran 9" flight, which puts a Bolshevik lander on the moon, staffed by 2 cosmonauts while 2 continue in lunar orbit. The move brings surprise in the United States, seeing another country emulate their achievements in landing men on the lunar surface (and returning successfully), and a famous picture of the Bolshevik flag placed alongside the US flag rapidly becomes one of those "iconic" pictures of time. The US has an incumbent President who is slashing funding for many federal programmes in order to attempt to balance the books however, and the NASA budget receives stringent cuts to it's previous budgetary funding.
The Commonwealth Chief Minister officially designates as India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and the United States as "Strategic Allies", opening up a reduction in tariffs between the countries. The move is generally popular amongst business, as it brings the prospect of increased trade and sales, but is generally less favoured by small businesses who are fearful of domination by more large multinational corporations.
The 1983 British General Election occurs, with the emergence of the Social Democratic Party cemented as the undisputed 3rd power in the House of Commons, although with the Conservative Party winning a slim majority. Amongst notable results is the election in Cornwall of David Treffry, formally an independent member but closely affiliated with the Cornish Home Party, who press for Cornish Home Nation status alongside Wales, Scotland, Ireland & Ulster.
1984: Elizabeth and Michael marry in London, in front of thousands of well wishers, and with royal pageantry on show at every turn. Symbolically, there is also a large wedding party a month later in Sydney as well, paying homage to Australia as the birthplace of the new royalty. King William bestows the title "Duke and Duchess of Sussex", which rapidly becomes their preferred names, although other honours from many of the Commonwealth Realms are awarded. Princess Elizabeth is finally the next in line to the throne, following Line of Succession Acts passing in most of the relevant realms (with a few promising to have finished passing Acts by the end of 1985), making the prospect of an Australian becoming the partner of the reigning Queen. Most senior people seem to be of the mind to make him a Prince, similar to Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria in years past (although Albert was technically Prince Consort).
Commonwealth members agree to working towards cuts in greenhouse gases, and being more environmentally friendly; largely pushed by the European, Canadian & Australian political voices. Members agree to work towards more recycling and better public transport. US-Canadian relations take a down turn, following harsh criticism of the proposed customs union. British backing is fervent; the high population of the "Home Islands" but love of the green rolling hills of England (and other Home Nations) provides strong public support for environmentalism and green policies in the UK.
Katanga makes overtures towards Commonwealth East Africa and Central Africa for recognition. Heart strings are tugged in East Africa for their fellow Swahili speaking brothers, and in Central Africa where Zambia has been affected by turmoil upon it's borders. The deepening civil war in Zaire causing a rift in Commonwealth foreign policy; some are wary of being dragged into another Somalia operation, but the Africans are hugely in favour of recognition and intervention in support of Katanga. By the end of the year, East Africa and Central Africa both recognise the "transitional state of Katanga" - effectively giving their backing to Katangan independence.
Oil and gas begins to flow in to the Commonwealth from the North Sea, "complementing" the Arabian oil reserves. The discovery makes the Commonwealth collectively the world's largest exporter (and consumer) of oil.
The Nordic Kingdoms jointly announce they will enter a unified team for the 1987 Football World Cup in Italy, and at the top level unify the Scandinavian football league system (Iceland remaining out due to incompatibilities; Iceland is far removed from Scandinavia and the football season runs through the summer instead) to form a Scandinavian 1st and 2nd division. The 1980s are a time when television is pushing it's way into every facet of life, and football stadium attendance figures are dwindling across the United Kingdom. Some begin to think about emulating the Nordic move; it hasn't helped that the 1983 World Cup in Brazil was the first since the Home Nations rejoined FIFA where none qualified for the tournament. Many of the bigger teams in England are in favour of such a move; Arsenal, Everton, Leeds, Newcastle United, Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, West Ham United and Wimbledon (the so-called "Group of 8") were the biggest advocates for a new league.
1985: The Commonwealth endorses it's own flag, based upon the design of the British Union Flag. It is an excerpt of the flag, featuring the top left corner - a blue background with a white and red diagonal line through it. Some deride it as a continuing symbol of British colonialism, but many see it as a flag on it's own merit with a nod to the roots of the Commonwealth. Either way, despite the lack of any real centralisation of power (the Commonwealth remains primarily an intergovernmental institution), the Commonwealth is rapidly forging it's own identity in international relations.
Canada's high speed rail and new hub airport at Montreal (Montreal-Mitterand Airport after the late Quebecois politician who died from a heart attack during his time in the Quebecois Government. Mitterand was one of the most public immigrants to Quebec from France in the 1940s). Dominion Airways immediately divert London-Canada flights to use the new airport, and the route is served by daily Clipper services from London - reflecting the ability to serve both the large Montreal city, and the Ottawa federal capital markets. Francair and many other larger airlines slowly follow suit as the previous city centre location is run down, with plans afoot to renovate it into a new business district for Montreal as spillover space from the very crowded downtown area in Ville-Marie.
The UK, France and the Nordics sign into being a full customs union and passport union, named the "Jersey Agreement" due to being signed in the British Channel Islands. All monies collected in customs and import duties are sent into a central fund, administered by the Government Offices in Belfast, with the proceeds being divided between the French, British & Nordic Governments proportionally according to population. The move also brought around a new pillar of immigration officials; a third of the immigration officials in each force would rotate around the other country's external border points in order to operate as a form of mutual oversight and build trust - especially needed in France due to the long eastern border and many crisscrossing roads. Canada would remain apart for the moment, choosing instead to enforce it's borders; many suspected quiet but severe diplomatic pressure upon Canadian officials by their American counterparts.
The promotion of Bolshevik politician Leonid Gromyko to Premier of the Central Committee brings a slightly reformist point of view to the high echelons of Bolshevik leadership. Gromyko would embrace further openness in the Bolshevik Republics; a certain tolerance for independent candidates in elections (which were traditionally only filled with Bolshevik candidates), a more independent judicial system - although still on a tight rein of control, and better entrenched gender equality. The first moves towards a redesign of the central Bolshevik Constitution would also be made, enabling further moves into a market economy; the enabling of property trading was a widely popular move, although price controls and controls over ownership remained.
The elections in 1985 in both Colombia and Venezuela returned highly left wing candidates, beginning the slide towards communism for both countries. Security concerns, unstable governments and rampant crime all combined for the election swing; both countries would be considered to have Bolshevik affiliations by the end of the decade, and would cause significant problems in the emerging Hispanic integration movements.
