British Presidential Elections - 1946 to the present day

[afleitch]

In this scenario Great Britain has lumbered out of the war without it's monarch. The war was tougher, longer and less successful than it was in real life and the UK was marshalled by a reluctant King Edward and his unpopular wife. With the abolition of the monarchy the new system was Presidential with a fairly strong Parliament (the Lords was abolished). Elections were to take place every 4 years with the candidate winning more than 50% being elected. This could require a run-off. There were no term limits.

This is where I need your help. Your votes will count a little in determining the winner of 'primaries' and of the election itself.

So let us begin

1946 - The Socialist Utopia?

Labour's landslide in the 1945 General Election had taken everyone by surprise. The referendum, passed marginally in the War Government to abolish the ineffective monarchy had passed a public referendum. While Labour were keen to nominate Clement Attlee, he stood firmly against the idea preferring to remain Prime Minister and lead the Commons during any transition. Attlee knew he was not particularly bombastic and the first Presidential campaign would, as he wrote later 'introduce the British people to a style of campaigning that might 'make' the people awake a little from old habits, but more than likely 'break' the candidate.'

In any event, the Labour selection should have been straightforward with Herbert Morrison the assumed choice. Attlee however couldn't stand him but given his insistence in not getting involved his objections had only limited impact. Labour's internal structure was not suited to the requirements of selecting a Presidential candidate. Attlee was the leader. Would there need to be a 1935 style challenge by a candidate who wasn't Attlee? Luckily work was underway with regards to the internal machinery of the party, to ensure that Attlee would remain party leader, but any prospective candidate would effectively be 'General Secretary' The Conservatives took advantage of this effective fudge calling it 'Stalinesque'

But Morrrison never ran. No one ran. No one really wanted to. In the end the role was effectively handed for Foreign Secretary, Ernest Bevin, a man with it was hoped a degree of international gravitas would be of benefit during the campaign. Bevin himself was all too aware that the role of Foreign Secretary was likely to be much diminished in the new Presidential era.

The Conservatives chose Churchill. Privately they had reservations, great reservations about the man appointed PM in 1942 after Lord Halifax's resignation.

No other parties were able to pull resources together in order to fight the campaign. So it would be a straightforward battle

So. Who wins?

Ernest Bevin


Winston Churchill

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Interesting. My choice is, of course, Churchill.

[Wake Me Up When The Hard Border Ends]

Go Churchill!

[TNF]

Bevin!

[Gass3268]

Bevlin

[Sec. of State Superique]

President Churchill!

[afleitch]

Thank you I have enough to continue now.