Socialist Union of Great Britain

>    *"By the final chapters of the Weltkrieg (alias the Great World War), it became apparent that the nations to the westernmost of Europe had to compartmentalize the horizons of a new, revolutionary system, the emergence of which largely was and still continues to be attributed to the strategic mismanagement of the army, through it the increasing solidarity with movements of sedition (both at home and abroad the fronts) and the sudden, unperceived ways said movements relayed them. Common contemporary scholarship holds Britain especially accountable for sparking this shift, as the concentration of canonized intelligence and the motivations for its implementation found a niche reside in industrial cities, coal towns and on the streets of London." - Eric Hobsbawm, Historian (Revolutions: Their Ways and Means, 1968).*
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## **Timeline of The Second English Civil War (British Theatre)**

**1919:** On the 2nd of September, due to the ever-growing war effort, stagnation and suppression of civil rights and labour unions, syndicalists spark an insurgency, covering Southern England, Wales and the Midlands. The Royal Family flees to The Netherlands. Prime Minister David Lloyd George attends the First Strasbourg Treaties, signing the German demands. He formally resigns, going into exile in Portugal. Field Marshall Edmund Ironside assembles the remainder of the British Army stationed on the Isles for a defence in Northern England and Scotland. On November 27th, the Irish Volunteers and the Irish Citizen Army rise up against the British, major uprisings in the Irish cities of Dublin, Sligo, Galway and Cork. The Second British Civil War (1919-1929) has begun.

**1920:** Socialist intellectual and trade unionist Tom Mann returns from his exile in Australia. He unites the factions on the left with the assistance of his former colleague Henry Hyndman, forming the British Socialist Staff Council (BSSC). He's appointed as the Chairman of the newfound government. He, along with many other syndicalist premiers forms the Comintern.

**1921:** Chairman Mann declares the establishment of the reborn regime, (The Union of Britain / The Socialist Union of Great Britain respectively.) also reforming the army into the British People's Army and Navy. He supports reconstruction programmes to usher in the principles of country-wide federalization, institutional collectivisation and social re-modelization.

**1922-29:** The Irish insurgents realign into the Irish Republican Army, pushing up in the Loyalist-occupied regions of the isle. At the Battle of Belfast (1922), the Irish contingent of the Loyalist forces are shattered, General Sir John French, the former Lord Liutenant is formally executed. On the Christmas Day of 1928, FM Edmund Ironside along with many defectors goes into exile in the US. In 1929, the last remnants of the Loyalists are defeated in the Battle of Ross & Cromarty. The remaining leaders are exiled. The Second English Civil War is concluded.

## **Post-Civil War Years**

### **Tom Mann's Premiership (1920 - 25)**

During and after the conflicts, the country was facing an unprecedented need for reforms, which was ironically was demanded and made possible by the warfare at home. Tom Mann, a principal figurehead of the revolution, organized the new government on an directly democratic, anarcho-syndicalist rotational basis, where members of the BSSC, a leading corporal body, either assembled from unionists, technocrats and strike lobbyists, shift places and tasks among themselves, therefore insuring that individual dominance and feudal links wouldn't materialize.

On the eve of 1920, Mann set the *'First 5 Year Plan'* into action, a series of reconstructive measures specifying several reforms and welfare extension programmes predominantly on and by economic, social and political facets. Over the course of the following years, English industry and agriculture came to be managed by 'worker companies', state-separate firms and corporations each working on their own communal territory. These said regions, although officially with no standing authority to enforce their assets, had their own managerial communities. The sorts of these bureaucracies were inconsistently organized regarding their partakers, as it often was unspecified as to who carries the interests. Some boroughs were championed by religious parishes, university campuses, others formed their own committees. The role of the police would be minimized for years.

As newly appointed Chairman, his key task was to lay the foundations of the new establishment, urging workers, laborers and unions to take over their means of production, and to thereby sponsor and employ the same system of organized anarchy. Although originally a communist, his interpretations ensured the governmental model's impartiality, still remaining influential until his death and his consequent relief of duty. By 1925, with the *'First 5 Year Plan'* finished, he had resigned himself of his position to return to the BSSC.

### **Philip Snowden's Premiership (1925 - 28)**

Following Tom Mann's voluntary resignation, the upcoming administration was characterized by a period of finalization, centered around former count and viscount Philip Snowden. Despite his privileged status in previous governments as Chancellor of the Exchequer, his efforts granted Britain a safe way toward self-determination. His strives included sharpening the already existing policies and programmes, while making leaps in foreign politics. He phased out the war with the White Guard, thus ending the Second English Civil War, with the opposing belligerents either being exiled, deported or imprisoned, while expanding communal expenditure to the rest of Great-Britain.

A substantial decision of his was to reapproach the European continent, most primarily the country of France. Alluding to his prospects in 1926, French premier Pierre Semard welcomed the sentiments and shortly the two nations signed a pact of international cooperation, called the *'Snowden-Semard Agreement of 1926'*, signed in the city of Lyon. The document served as a monolith of English and French relations for the coming decades and later came to be regarded as one of the founding documents of the Lyon Entente, amplifying the ideological bilateralism between the two. In 1928, to make way for renewal, he steps down in favour of Will Thorne.

## The Years of The Early Cold War

### **Will Thorne's Premiership (1928 - 34)**

Will Thorne championed the six years since the inception of the new establishment, and surveyed the country's entrance into the early stages of the Global Cold War between the Communist and Imperialist Blocs. Skeptical about the Soviet Union's ambitious resolves and ideological aggressiveness, his foreign policy shifted more to weary struts and backtracks rather than the swift pioneerings spearheaded by Snowden. Although Thorne initated negotiations to have Britain join the early economic pact of the Comecon, such would only be achieved by his successor, Harry Pollitt.

He contributed much to well-rounding the welfare programmes, in the "Second 5 Year Plan", where he aimed to strengthen the communal economy through assets seized from the previous Civil War. This also involved a strong crackdown on banks and yet unliquified private enterprises. Although initially dissatisfied with the idea of extending economic trade outside the Comecon, a shared economic pact, he remained open for discourse with other, non-aligning countries. His economic policy was known as the "Thornian Jab", a shape of strategic nationalization, that rather involved breaking up authorities and installing managers loyal to the council, than completely erasing any hierarchy in the bureaucracies. This renewal of political economy will eventually serve as the pretext for the emergence of technocracies and managerial authorities in Western Europe.

Subsequently to his resignation, he bequeathed his powers to another member of the BSSC, a devoted Marxist, Harry Pollitt.

### **Harry Pollitt's Premiership (34 - 40)**

The next six years of political development were overseen by Harry Pollitt, a more visionary member of the "Old Chaps", the figureheads of early anarcho-syndicalism in Great Britain. His policies were of more valor than Thorne's, as his advocation for an expansion of suffrages, conducive military involvements and attempts of foreign gallantry demanded a strong-spirited premier, one with an even more organized framework. It was during his time that the socio-economic apparatus of the country shifted more to a semi-hierarchical cognition.

Ideologically, he was substantially adherent to the the philosophy of Josif V. Jugasvili, the General Secretary of the USSR under President Mikhail Kalinin, as was his esteem for Bolshevik thought of governance. He employed recontruction projects of state apparatus, introducing the idea of "soviet councils" to the country. Although indeed a controversial step, by the pressures of fellow BSSC members, the powers of these congregations were reduced to formalities, as it went directly against the set theory of previous administrations. Despite efforts made by people like the still active Mann, Thorne or numerous others, Pollitt would continue catering to his own agenda, a giant tug of war.

His foreign approach nonetheless yielded positive results. He finished Thorne's initations for Britain's integration into the Comecon, as he also began pushing investments into the bloc. Through shrewd business deals and exchange programmes he strengthened his means' political fabric, effectively isolating himself from the council. Historical perception considers this consolidation of privacy as a return to traditional power structures, as his office had already begun attaining much more executivity.

Sprung form such conviction, he was keen on keeping up a high regard of himself. Alas, he kept his allies close, assisted and coaxed them in exchange of their recognition. During the Second American Civil War (1935 - 39), he organized The American Medical Aid Committee, sent intellectual and strategic support to John Reed's movement, the United Revolutionary Front, while in return, he received documents and accolades of honor along with foreign grants and loans, vice versa.

**1933** ⇾ The 10 Year Plan concludes after an additional 2 years of development. Tom Mann resigns, Will Thorne appointed as his successor.

**1935-39** ⇾ The Second American Civil War is raging on over the pond, Every Comintern member immediately recognizes the United Revolutionary Front lead Syndicalist States of America as a legitimate entity. Chairman Thorne, neither wanting tensions with the German Weltreich, nor protesting interference, sets up independent volunteer centres and organizes the American Medical Aid Committee. He dispatches State Secretary and Deputy Secretary for War, Tom Shaw and Jack Lawson to supervise the operations. Major battles in Maryland, Rochester and Detroit.

**1941** ⇾ The Union of Britain supplies the USSR with many prominent intellectuals in its nuclear and environmental projects.

**1942** ⇾ Will Thorne passes away on January the 2nd. The influential politician Oswald Mosley is inaugurated as Chairman. The next twenty years of the administration will be defined as “The Mosley Era”. Chairman Mosley addresses the public in front of Downing 10, his closing words becoming one of the many legendary remarks in the history of the country: *“People of The Isles! By your votes and perspiration, you have chosen Direct Rule from London!”* Mosley initiates a great re-establishment program , aiming to centralise British welfare and economy, shifting the political climate even more to the left. Reforms to the MI6 and MI5. Under the code name of "Operation Strikeout", he orders a process of purges against certain party members and suspected German sympathisers. Relations with the Imperial Bloc are growingly tense.

**1949** ⇾ The Juventud Crises.

**1953** ⇾ Chairman Mosley announces a series of reforms aimed at the expansion of the army. He begins to establish a cult of personality, commanding the secret services to practice mass surveillance on the population and to enforce strict censorship. He begins another wave of purges against political foes and targeted individuals.

**1956** ⇾ The second wave of purges are halted. Over 834 670 people were confirmed dead or went missing, including Mosley’s greatest critic Harold Wilson. The Commune of France and the Socialist Republic of Italy would also denounce Mosley’s regime.

**1959** ⇾ The overly militaristic approach of Mosley, the surging disregard for labour laws and the overly centralised financing render his once penetrating popularity to plummet, sparking strikes and repression.

**1962** ⇾ After a Mosleyist parade in East London’s Cable Street meets a violent end, the already devastated political climate descends into complete turmoil. Greater cities throughout the Union hold demonstrations and rallies against the administration, Mosley replies with bullets and sticks. With the country being on the brink of civil war and the Chairman isolated in D10. the French Commune - with the approval of the Comintern, - decides to intervene. The MI6 secretly corresponding with the Département Secret Français, sparks a coup d’état on the 21st of December. A day later Oswald Mosley’s arrested and taken to a tribunal in Paris, the provisional government is sustained under MI6 Chief John A. Sinclair. A few days later he’s tried and convicted of economic sabotage and assertion of foreign influences, attempting to isolate Britain. On the morning of Christmas Day, he’s executed by a firing squad.

**1963** ⇾ On the 1st of January, purge survivour, journalist and party member Harold Wilson returns to London to be inaugurated by the BSC. His first deed as Chairman is to denounce the cult of personality Mosley established, classifying him as a national criminal on the radio. He introduces the "Wilson Doctrine" plan for Britain’s reconstruction from the regime by healing the economy and rebuilding relationships with other countries.

**1965** ⇾ Wilson begins another series of reforms with special prospects on finance and social life. He reverses the tumultuous military spending and starts working on domestic affairs. The country’s experiencing massive societal changes with rectifications on the areas of civil liberties, social security, housing, health, education and worker's rights.

**1973** ⇾ After over 10 years of premiership, Harold Wilson resigns from his position of Chairman due to political dissatisfaction and an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis. “The Sweet Sixties” are at an end. Michael Foot inaugurated as Chairman.

**1982** ⇾ The British Coal Shortage Crises kicks in. Economic recession and corruption skyrockets. Michael Foot suspended from office for embezzlement. Neil Kinnock elected as Chairman, setting on the course to stablise the economy by investing into collectivised nuclear energy.

**1984** ⇾ As the first nuclear power plants are being built in Oldbury and Torness, Kinnock signs the agreement for Britain's entry into the Comecon, the economic bloc of the Comintern.

**1988** ⇾ As the syndicalist ideology gradually spreads throughout Africa and the Americas, the détente once again freezes and international relations begin to decline between the two blocs. Neil Kinnock warns of a worldwide conflict erupting the following years, advocating for immediate diplomatic summits to survey the affairs out, but his warnings are overruled.

**1993** ⇾ On the 3rd of June as the Ukrainian Liberation Front took over most of the country, the Weltreich and its allies declare war on the International, triggering a chain of events known as the Second Weltkrieg. Chaiman Kinnock’s broadcasted address to the nation aires on television: *“[...] Subsequently, the Union, Country and Pact is now at war with the German Weltreich and her subjects. May God lay his protective shield around the Isles, for, by his name, we’ll need it.”* He dispatches an expeditionary force of 300.000 to assist the defence in the expected invasion of France the next day. After suffering a humiliating defeat at Dieppe, the Germans rapidly blitz through Western Europe taking Paris in a matter of days. Kinnock, realising the consequences of his actions and the general distrust of the British public, resigns himself from office. The Politburo inaugurates the far more popular and influential politician, Dennis Skinner as War-Time Chairman. Skinner makes an address throughout the Union, which is known in the history of the country as the “Bolsover Badinage":*“[...] It is of no happenstance such vicissitude comes to us in this unpleasant fashion. Let us brace ourselves, for the crimson fold of the Red Flag shall be tainted by not the wavering and not the craitiff. Only the valiant, valorous and victorious, only men who never gave in.”* Skinner, with the assistance of the French, Italian and American Chairmans and General Secretary Vladimir Lobov forms the International High Command. In the following years, they halt a possible overseas invasion from Antwerp, modernise the British People’s Air Force and create a naval blockade called the "Cardinal Barrier" with the BPS Belfast in charge. The administration is also responsible for sparking insurgencies and assisting partisan movements throughout Europe and for the subjugation of Ireland, uniting the British Isles.

**1996** ⇾ October 25th is the turning point in the war when Operation Red Eagle proves to be a massive success. Syndicalist forces begin to reclaim Western Europe.

**1997** ⇾ The leaders of the Comintern unite for a conference in the French city of Saint-Malo. On the 24th of May, former Chairman Harold Wilson dies overnight. He’s given a state funeral, former officeholders Michael Foot, Neil Kinnock, incumbent Chairman Dennis Skinner and Deputy Chairman Tony Blair all attending it. After his burial in Kensal Green Cemetery, Tony Blair declares in an interview: *“He truly was the people’s leader.”*

**1998** ⇾ On the 15th of January the Second Weltkrieg ends in Europe. Dennis Skinner resigns from office, declaring his job done. Deputy Chairman Tony Blair elected as Chairman. He initiates reforms to heal the country from total war, along with the peaceful integration of Ireland.

**2009** ⇾ Thanks to the efforts of Chairman Blair, the Union of Britain is one of the most liberal countries of the syndicalist faction. His last deed before resignation is pardoning the Royal Family, allowing them to return to their homeland, not as royals, but as honorary citizens. One day prior to leaving office, he welcomes Elizabeth Windsor II to D10, making their settlement official. Margaret Beckett inaugurated as first official female Chairman.

**2020** ⇾ The Union of Britain celebrates the 100th anniversary of its foundation.