Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2015 20:00:47 GMT
I'm sure most forum members will remember the purple flour attack on Blair by Fathers4Justice during a PMQ session in May 2004.
Supposing it had been a much more deadly substance such as anthrax or ricin, and what the consequences could have been. I remember reading an article - I can't remember who wrote it or which paper it was in - which speculated what would have happened. It went something like this: Blair, Brown and Prescott all die as a result of the attack, as well as a large number of other MPs. Aside from the massive security breach, a constitutional crisis ensues. The Labour Party is left without a leader and a deputy leader, leaving the Queen to send for the Lord Chancellor, Lord (Charles) Falconer to become Prime Minister. Home Secretary David Blunkett, the most senior Cabinet minister not present in the House at the time of the attack, puts his name forward in the Labour leadership election and wins, achieving the extraordinary feat of becoming Prime Minister despite being blind from birth. With so many vacant seats, he decides to call a general election rather than have dozens of by-elections taking place. He wins the 2004 general election by the narrowest of margins.
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Post by carlton43 on Aug 26, 2015 21:30:21 GMT
I fear this is too far outside the scope of many 'What If' scenarios for me to contemplate anything other than a story of pure fiction. It is tempting but not for this thread.
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J.G.Harston
Lib Dem
Leave-voting Brexit-supporting Liberal Democrat
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Post by J.G.Harston on Aug 26, 2015 21:50:36 GMT
leaving the Queen to send for the Lord Chancellor, Lord (Charles) Falconer to become Prime Minister. (...) With so many vacant seats, (David Blunkett) decides to call a general election rather than have dozens of by-elections taking place. He wins the 2004 general election by the narrowest of margins. I think in those circumstamces, the Queen would appoint a Prime Minster with instructions to call a General Election.
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Post by johnloony on Aug 27, 2015 0:09:19 GMT
The Queen would not appoint a Lord as PM, not even in an emergency situation or on a temporary basis.
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Harry Hayfield
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Post by Harry Hayfield on Aug 27, 2015 6:58:16 GMT
I think it's a bit too much to say that Prescott would have died simply because he is to the left of Blair (positioning, not politically) and the direction of travel of the bag is from left to right.
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Post by mrhell on Aug 27, 2015 7:12:28 GMT
I remember reading once that if everyone goes (Monarchy, Parliament) that the Synod of the Church of England takes over.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2015 7:30:28 GMT
I think it's a bit too much to say that Prescott would have died simply because he is to the left of Blair (positioning, not politically) and the direction of travel of the bag is from left to right. While Speaker Martin is suspending the sitting, you can observe the flour floating around in front of him, as well as several MPs dusting themselves off just afterwards. Prescott would have done very well to survive.
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Crimson King
Lib Dem
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Post by Crimson King on Aug 27, 2015 8:59:35 GMT
I wonder just how deadly a deadly substance would be, delivered in that manner. Anthrax for example would only be ffect people if inhaled I think, and then not immediately so ther ewould be plenty of time to get treatment and make succession arrangements
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J.G.Harston
Lib Dem
Leave-voting Brexit-supporting Liberal Democrat
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Post by J.G.Harston on Aug 27, 2015 9:07:57 GMT
I think it's a bit too much to say that Prescott would have died simply because he is to the left of Blair (positioning, not politically) and the direction of travel of the bag is from left to right. While Speaker Martin is suspending the sitting, you can observe the flour floating around in front of him, as well as several MPs dusting themselves off just afterwards. Prescott would have done very well to survive. They evacuated the Chamber, so people in the surrounding offices and public in Parliament Square would have been infected. (wrong word, but I'm still on my first cuppa)
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Post by finsobruce on Aug 27, 2015 10:59:34 GMT
I remember reading once that if everyone goes (Monarchy, Parliament) that the Synod of the Church of England takes over. so the shortlist for Prime minister would be restricted to female bishops?
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Post by swindonlad on Aug 27, 2015 15:49:55 GMT
I remember reading once that if everyone goes (Monarchy, Parliament) that the Synod of the Church of England takes over. In that case, long live the Queen
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Richard Allen
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Post by Richard Allen on Aug 27, 2015 17:37:36 GMT
I remember reading once that if everyone goes (Monarchy, Parliament) that the Synod of the Church of England takes over. I am struggling to envisage any attack that takes out the entire Royal line of succession.
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Post by manchesterman on Aug 27, 2015 20:31:26 GMT
I'm sure most forum members will remember the purple flour attack on Blair by Fathers4Justice during a PMQ session in May 2004. Home Secretary David Blunkett, the most senior Cabinet minister not present in the House at the time of the attack, puts his name forward in the Labour leadership election and wins, You are making a huge assumption that Jezza wouldnt have had his name put forward. Jezzamania ensuing and thereby repeating history 11 years early ... sort of!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2015 20:38:40 GMT
I'm sure most forum members will remember the purple flour attack on Blair by Fathers4Justice during a PMQ session in May 2004. Home Secretary David Blunkett, the most senior Cabinet minister not present in the House at the time of the attack, puts his name forward in the Labour leadership election and wins, You are making a huge assumption that Jezza wouldnt have had his name put forward. Jezzamania ensuing and thereby repeating history 11 years early ... sort of! As I say, I'm recalling an article I read at the time. I don't think anyone imagined Corbyn would ever so much as put his name forward until a few months ago, let alone become the frontrunner.
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Post by manchesterman on Aug 27, 2015 20:53:20 GMT
it was a witticism swan, not a serious point (sorry I should have made that clearer)
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Post by iainbhx on Sept 1, 2015 15:55:56 GMT
I remember reading once that if everyone goes (Monarchy, Parliament) that the Synod of the Church of England takes over. I am struggling to envisage any attack that takes out the entire Royal line of succession. Considering there are several thousand of them, no.
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The Bishop
Labour
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Post by The Bishop on Sept 1, 2015 16:02:17 GMT
Which makes me wonder - not unlike decimals of pi, what is the lowest number to which the line of succession has been meaningfully traced?
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Post by gwynthegriff on Sept 1, 2015 17:41:43 GMT
Which makes me wonder - not unlike decimals of pi, what is the lowest number to which the line of succession has been meaningfully traced? We have the perfect contributor on here to assist ...
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Post by gwynthegriff on Sept 1, 2015 17:50:58 GMT
Mr B F Beckman is no.99 in line.
I think he's Norwegian.
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Post by greatkingrat on Sept 1, 2015 18:01:23 GMT
Which makes me wonder - not unlike decimals of pi, what is the lowest number to which the line of succession has been meaningfully traced? As at 1st January 2011, the 5753rd and last person in line to the throne was a Karin Vogel. www.wargs.com/essays/succession/2011.html
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