[War] United Kingdom: PMQ's

[Michael Brittain]

(OOC: Aplogies for any typos, or anything of the like... been a while since 
I last posted!)

PM Patricia Young
United Kingdom
5th August, 2014
--------------------

The House of Commons filled with MPs as they prepared for the first PMQ's
after the recent political turmoil. As always, its members returned eagerly
awaiting the Prime Ministers appearance. It would perhaps be an
understatement to say a lot had happened during the week, but there was
something surprisingly routine about question time.

As the house settled down, the speaker rose from his seat with the order
paper in his hand. Ms Young entered the house, herself presented as usual
with her long hair tied up and wearing a black suite. She placed her red
folder on her lap as she took her place behind the dispatch box, facing the
leader of the opposition, Stephen Bailey.

"Questions to the Prime Minister," the Speaker shouted out as a silence fell
over the house. "Mr Johnson."

Andrew Johnson, an MP from the opposition benches stood up and waited for
the house to settle down. "Number one please, Mr Speaker."

Young stood up to the dispatch box turning to face the speaker. "This
morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition
to my duties in the House, I will have further such meetings later today."

The PM took her seat and Mr Johnson stood again. "Mr Speaker, can I
congratulate the Prime Minister on her apparent Olympic-speed success on
her attempts to destroy the health service in her short tenure as Prime
Minister..."

"Mr Johnson, your question please," The speaker rose from his seat,
instructing the MP to stop digressing as jibes and shouts filled the chamber
from the Tories, and laughter from the Labour benches.

"Mr Speaker, can I ask the Prime Minister why she is so insistent on
destroying the NHS and putting it into private ownership, which, as is well
known, could be damaging, destructive and inefficient for the British
people."

A rather antagonistic question to open the proceedings, Young stood up. "Mr
Speaker, can I give my assurances to the Right Honourable gentleman that
this government has no plans to increase private ownership of the NHS."

The labour benches began jibbing at the Prime Minister. "Order, please, let
the Prime Minister speak." the Speaker instructed, rising from his seat.

"... Indeed," she continued. "... we plan to give the NHS more independence
by
creating an independent board to be responsible for the day to day running
of the NHS, under the guidance of the ministry of health. This is all part
of a unique, and necessary restructuring programme to bring down the running
costs of the NHS and remove unnecessary overlap and bureaucracy that we had
become accustomed too under the previous Labour government."

Young's comments were as expected, and drew a few shouts from the opposition
benches.

"Stephen Bailey," the speaker called the leader of the opposition, a
middle-aged man and former foreign office minister.

The leader of the opposition stood. "Mr Speaker, thank you. Can I ask the
Prime Minister why the British government has taken so long to formulate a
firm response to the irresponsible actions of both the Canadian, and Chinese
governments? When will this government begin to act up to its
responsibilities?"

Young stood, annoyed with the question and determined to give Mr Bailey an
answer. "Mr Speaker, as many can understand, the situation at present
regarding the diplomatic spat between Canada and China is a very sensitive
one, and one which Britain must take incredibly seriously. The foreign
office has been in constant contact with its counterparts in both Canada and
China. I intend to raise our concerns at the highest levels of the Canadian
government, but can I remind the right honourable gentleman, that we have
moved
on from the "sofa diplomacy" of the previous Labour government."

Young's voice resonated through the Chamber. Although she did not shout, her
tone demanded respect. Her posture and facial expressions reflected
her determination in answering the question. Her last comment drew a few
jibes.

"As has been already said in a statement at the time, the British Government
is still attempting to ascertain the full extent of the situation. If it is
to believed, as many now understand the situation to be, that the government
of Canada has sanctioned such incursions into China at such difficult times
globally, I would be inclined to feel the actions were ill-advised at best."
The Prime Minister sat down, her face content and with a cheeky smile.

Bailey returned to the dispatch box. "Mr Speaker, the British government can
not accept such foolish actions of its allies and I urge the Prime Minister
to take a harder line. Furthermore, Mr Speaker, can I also urge the Prime
Minister to engage with the Romanians and discourage their ill-fated
attempts at isolationism."

It was noted that the leader of the opposition could be more flippant in his
remarks, and the PM more reserved in her comments. None the less, she
responded in kind.

"Mr Speaker," Young answered from the dispatch box. "I don't need any
lessons in foreign affairs from the leader of the opposition. Our position
concerning Romania is well documented. Although we must accept Romania's
decision, we will not stop trying to dissuade them that their long term,
vested future is with the European Union and NATO. While I can not support
nor assist them in what I personally believe to be an ill-advised decision,
I have to remind the Romanian government of the many benefits that it's
country will lose, financially, economically and culturally."

Young continued to take volley after volley of questions. As many had
described her as a natural performer, she appeared to answer them with ease.

<PM's motorcade, enroot to press conference>

"Here is the statement to be handed to the press when you speak to
journalists," Young's Communications Director, Andrew Lancell, handed her a
document as the
PM stepped into her black Jaguar, surrounded by a motorcade. Glancing over
it quickly, she nodded.

"It cleans up well," she commented, before handing it back, making herself
comfortable in her seat.

In the Jaguar with her also was Sir Richard, as he was commonly known as by
the
PM, the head of Britain's JIC. "Prime Minister," he handed
her yet another folder. "Good to see you again."

"Likewise, Sir Richard," Young smiled, glancing at the contents.

"As I'm sure you are already aware from your morning briefing, MI6 knew
nothing of Canada's operation and it has been confirmed to me personally
from Washington that the Americans were none the wiser either."

Young shook her head. "The Canadians certainly have themselves a royal mess
on their hands." She was cautious of what action to take; she knew perfectly
well that the Chinese were simply flexing their muscles and that there could
be no way she would allow war charges to be brought against Canada, but what
Canada did do was immensely ill-advised.

"If we voted no in the UN, what would the likely Chinese backlash be?" Young
looked across at her aides.

"Nothing too substantial. It is our right of course to vote freely, but
expect frosty relations."

Young paused in thought for a moment, glancing out of the window to see
London whiz past. "We can't allow the Chinese to continue with this
resolution, it is ludicrous. I can understand the French position by
abstaining, but this
madness has to end on both sides," the PM sighed. "Tell the foreign
secretary
to personally inform Canada of my concerns and that we will do what we can
to
help, but remind them to stress we do not support their actions and are
extremely dissapointed."

"If there were speculation that the UK may veto the resolution, it could be
enough to stop it gaining any momentum," Sir Richard pointed out.

"If China persists, the UK will veto their resolution." She paused. "No
speculation about it. Canada will have our support."

Actions.
1. The UK condemns Canada's actions, yet will stop short of supporting
Chinas resolution on the grounds that it will "escalate" the situation, not
help.
2. State that the UK will veto the resolution if China does not
withdraw it.
3. Tell Canada the UK is willing to help, but make it known that they are
sailing very close to the wind.
4. A little something on proposed health reforms - more to come.



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