NationStates Jolt Archive

British Government Dissolves, Regions Secede

CNN: Following high political tensions, widespread civil disobedience and pressure from regional groups across the country, the United Kingdom government officially dissolved amidst political scandal and economic crisis.

The collapse of central government in the United Kingdom follows the worsening economic situation across the country, with several major banks signalling bankruptcy in the last two weeks. Panic from customers led to riots in the street as thousands attempted to withdraw their savings from banks that no longer had their money.

Amidst all of this, it was revealed that the Prime Minister and several high-profile Cabinet Members are guilty of widespread embezzlement of government funds, leading to a near-unanimous vote of no confidence from the House of Commons. Protests in the streets of London led to widespread damage to public and private property with several members of the public severely wounded by riot police and military personnel. Following the dissolution of the government and no discernable replacement at this time, the British Army has declared Martial Law across the country.

Earlier today, local councils across the East Midlands region, largely dominated by members of the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB), announced their intention to secede from the central government, and have declared the East Midlands region to be an independent state. The declaration, released and signed by a group calling itself the 'Provisional Organising Committee (POC) of the New British Commonwealth' has declared the borders of the East Midlands region to be the national boundaries of the 'Commonwealth of United British Regions'. The announcement has been met with widespread rallies and celebrations across cities in the East Midlands as the POC installed its 'provisional' national capital in Nottingham, with little sign of protest against the CPGB's move.

There has been no response from the British Army at this time, with the vast majority of forces currently occupied in putting down riots across the south of England. Reports from local sources indicate military checkpoints set up along the boundaries of the newly-declared Commonwealth, indicating that the POC has some support from elements of the Army at the very least. However, reports on the level of this support are sketchy at this time.

The Chairman of the POC, signed as Malcolm Blackwell, has promised the creation of a political and economic system based on 'equality, advancement and progression', and has declared his intentions to organise a democratic form of government supported by a popular referendum. Blackwell, known to be the Regional Chairman of the CPGB, is an outspoken and ardent left-wing activist previously investigated for incitement to civil disobedience and revolution. So far there has been no further comment from the POC since its initial announcement and security is known to be heavy around the government offices in Nottingham where the POC is currently installed.

There has been no comment from the international community at this time, but reactions are expected shortly.

Steve Wilks, CNN News

(OOC: What interesting timing! I'll have to look at this after some much-needed sleep, considering that it's less than 24 hours since I founded my Lancastrian break-away state!)

(OOC - Soviet Lancashire, please check your TGs for the lengthy message I just sent you with some ideas on. :) Otherwise, bump.)

(OOC: Replied... one way or another, this should be interesting![/spam])

Workers' Republic of Soviet Lancashire Proclaimed

Having joined -perhaps lead- revolt in former industrial towns across the northwest, Lancashire, or rather its historic area and a little more attached to that in the 1970s, finds itself in a position to declare a Workers' Soviet Republic only hours after the secession, from the United Kingdom, of the East Midlands region.

"The workers o' Lancashire, amidst t'failures ant'corruptions o't'ruling classes, 'ave understood that t'hour 'as struck for 'em t' save t'situation by tekin' int' their own 'ands t'direction o't'public affairs..." said newly-elected Chairman of the Central Committee of the All-Lancashire Commune of the Workers' Republic, comrade Ian Melling, in a public address given from a window at the Radisson Edwardian Manchester Hotel that stands on the site of the old Anti-Corn-Law League's Free Trade Hall, itself raised in commemoration of the Peterloo Massacre. With the building taken-over by revolutionaries and used to house the Central Committee, Melling continued to address a large and jubilant crowd, "We 'ave understood..." he cried, making no attempt to moderate a thick Lancashire accent (Prestonian, more specifically), "...that 'tis our imperious duty an' our absolute right t' render ourselves masters of our own destinies by seizing upon t'governmental power!"

Melling went on to make a series of proclamations before extending the hand of friendship to, "Our comrades int'Midlands, 'oo we 'ope t'be seein' soon!" The Chairman said that a consul would be elected to represent Lancashire in Nottingham, and sent under escort as soon as the New British Commonwealth was prepared to receive them.

Across Lancashire -which once again was inclusive of Manchester, Merseyside, and Lancashire beyond the sands, not to mention Warrington, Widness, and other lands lost to boundary changes over the years- vast parties were being thrown in the co-operative weather, and only a few scuffles between revolutionaries and nationalists or others who assumed that central authority would soon put-down the revolt were continuing to sully what was becoming a triumphant British Spring revolution.

(OOC: If you would be so kind I too, as a fellow Englishman on this great Island, have sent you a telegram outlining a few ideas i'd like to run by you if you'll have me)

The Revolutionary Peoples Army Formed

In response to the revolutionary fervour that is sweeing the nation and the ensuing chaos that follows it a number of factions have emerged in response to either defend or take advantage of the developing situation; Ooe of these it has been revealed is the Revolutionary Peoples Army. Originating in the remote Romney Marsh of Kent in response to the remaining governments suppression, it's military force being projected from a training base on the coast near the town of Hythe, the force has taken up arms against it's suppressrs, as of now the leadership behind this movement is unknown. Drawing upon the lower class citizens abundant in the area they are driven by a revolutionary fervour and directed by an unknown command.

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A militatant group smashed their way through the previously lightly defended nuclear compounds of Dungeness; as they broke through the gates and headed into the complex, many of the revolutionaries being employees, they drove of any guards who had not rallied to their cause. Dungeness's Powerstations A was being deactivated, but complex B still provided ample amounts of energy to the South of Kent; and as such, the militant group was ordered to seize control of the energy board in order to sever power to areas not under their control; their efforts further crippled the remaining former goverments progress.

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Neo-Conservative Party Formed

In response to the uprising of militant groups and their abondonment by their previous incompetent government they had been advised by an unknown source to take matters into their own hands to defend themselves. As such, the Neo-Conservative Party was formed consisting of the more well off members of Kents society.

These two groups however, unknown to them, were controlled for now by the same shadowy entity which rapidily drew up it's plans for the future.

OOC: Well, chaps, I started an OOC thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=588960) that can relate to this thread and any wider issues about what we're doing to poor ol' Blighty. I don't want to go telling people they can come aboard without talking to UBR, and such, so seems better to discuss stuff in the open.