Daily Herald

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The Daily Herald, bringing you all the news you need to know about affairs in the Union of Britain

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Announcement of the Totalist Charter

With the meeting of the Trade Union Congress approaching, the world of British politics was rocked by a recent announcement from Oswald Mosley, leader of the Maximalist faction. Over the past few weeks Mosley had been in closed discussions with several notable individuals from around the world, including George Valois, Mikhail Tukhachevsky, and others.

Today, the fruits of their labor were revealed. Before a cheering crowd of supporters Mosley announced the creation of what has come to be known as the 'Totalist Charter'. Calling it 'a new path forward for Syndicalism', he reiterated his belief that it was the role of the state to take a dominant role in the struggle for socialism so as to better develop class consciousness amongst the masses, and that decentralized communes were ineffective in furthering the progress of mankind to the final stage of development as embodied by socialism.

Adding on to that, the Charter also says that democracy is not necessary to achieve socialism, as some things can not be left to the ignorant and fickle whims of the populace. The role of the nation was also given a prominent position, in spite of the ideals espoused by other various sects of Syndicalism.

With the firm controlling tendencies of the Charter noted, in addition to Mosley's own leaning as part of the Maximalists, detractors quickly named it 'Totalism' as a play on 'totalitarian socialism', something that Mosley quickly seized on and used to his advantage. Even now copies of the Charter are going out to other Syndicalist countries, as the charter assembled here finds ground other nations where Centralist sentiments have become predominant.

Time will tell whether this new ideology finds fertile ground, but for Britain they will not have to wait very long as the time for the Trade Union Congress, and mosley's showdown for control, draws near

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"German Stock Market Crashes!"


Accurate recreation of the events of Black Monday

Earlier today, the fruits of the exploitative capitalist system finally came to rest.

The German stock market entered freefall earlier today, prompted by instability in the market, intense speculation over values, and an overinvestment in the German economic system. They thought that this would make their wealth safe and secure, for how could the German system possibly fail?

Now we know. For while the Germans may believe themselves to be superior in military matters, their economic system nonetheless has all the flaws of the traditional capitalist economic framework that all civilizations in the past have shown. Only time will tell whether it ends, if it even does. We may be looking at the beginning of the end now, as this economic catastrophe unravels the German sphere and everyone who relied upon them.

Still, though we may be facing the final triumph of our superior Syndicalist system, which as of yet remains unharmed by the German collapse, we should not be too triumphant. Let us not forget that there are many members of the proletariat who are having their livelihoods destroyed at the hands of an uncaring system that now strips them of everything that they have.

This will be the event needed to inspire a rising of class consciousness, but until that time comes the people will suffer in poverty, and hunger, and homelessness. We must stand prepared and ready, to change the status quo for the better when the time comes. With how things are looking now, it may be sooner than we thought."

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Shipbuilders hard at work as part of the latest expansion of the Unionist Navy

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Kerensky Assassinated

"As many of you have now heard, President Kerensky of the Russian Republic has been assassinated, felled at the hand of a lone gunman with ties to the Kolchak coup attempt some years back. The world has seen mixed reaction to this, condemnation from those who abhor political violence, and silence from those who did not particularly care for him as a man.

This writer mourns, but for more than just Kerensky. He may not have been a Syndicalist, but he did care for the well being of the people of Russia.

It is the people of Russia that we care for more. Already the forces of reactionaries and authoritarians are taking to arms, circling like rabid dogs to put down the fledgling democracy that has been established. They seek to subsume the will of the people into their own persona agends, to solidify their own power and shape the destiny of Russia to their own ends, and they do not care who must suffer to accomplish it.

Perhaps it will be Wrangel, the 'Black Baron' deciding that he would like to be more than just a Baron from now on.

Perhaps they will bring back the Tsar, restoring the defunct and corrupt monarchy which drove Russia to ruin through the enslavement and exploitation of their own population.

Or perhaps someone in the Russian government will decide that now is their time to take center stage, and claim absolute authority for themselves. We can only hope that the people of Russia have the resolve and determination to maintain the freedoms that have been won so far, and ensure that tyranny cannot rise in Russia yet again.

The success of Syndicalist thought is inevitable, but it can only come about if the people are willing to achieve it. Let us hope that is the case in Russia...."

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Government ministers arrive for the Trade Union Congress

Trade Union Congress Opens

Comrades of the Union of Britain, the eyes of the nation and undoubtedly some portion of the world now rest upon London. Individuals from all over the nation will assemble to vote in the Congress, and shape the nation towards their own vision of the path that Syndicalism should follow.

It would be no exaggeration to say that the Trade Union Congress is the most important political even of the year, excepting the First Congress of the Third Internationale of course. This is because it is here that new ministers are appointed to the Union's government and the policies that appointed candidates plan to follow are also announced. Effectively this Congress is a way of showing popular approval for policy initiatives, and the path forward that they plan to take.

The British people should particularly keep an eye on this Congress. Chairman Philip Snowden has made several subdued indications that he plans to bring his tenure in office to an end following this Congress, leaving leadership up in the air. The stakes are high and factions are already coalescing. It will be interesting to see just who emerged on top.

At the moment there are four factions. The first you are all used to, the Federationists under Arthur Horner who have led Britain for so long. There are also the Congregationalists under Annie Kenney, who espouse radical egalitarianism as well as pacifist isolationism. There is also the newest and hottest entry into the political scene, the Maximists under Oswald Mosley, whose ideology has been quite heavily examined recently with the release of his 'Totalist Charter'. And finally there are the Autonomists under Niclas y Glais, who favor heavy decentralization of the Union. Each of them is determined to triumph, and change the face of Britain forever.

Whatever the outcome this will surely be a thing to remember, and we will bring you the news you need to know as it happens

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Hard working British steel men

Day 5 of the Trade Union Congress

It was a tumultuous day for the Trade Union Congress. Five days into the proceedings, debate turned to the nature of economic policy within the Union of Britain. Those factions which have so far coalesced within our political system each presented their own plans for how they believed that the economy should be developed, something understandably quite important to the people of this fair Isle.

The Autonomists naturally espoused their decentralization plan, the cornerstone of their overall policy platform. This would work to make a looser economic system, one more self contained within local communities that then build to a greater whole. This would be overseen by their own personal choice for Minister, S.O. Davies

Meanwhile the Federalists continued to espouse their plan of a slow economic expansion that would enrich Britain without, in their minds, compromising the rights of the Trade Unions and bringing on the risk of economic turbulence. This would be overseen by the Federalist's picked Armaments Minister, J. R. Clyne.

The Congregationalists have proposed their own plan, similar to the Federationists though focusing in different areas of the country, with different points to be developed. Their efforts would be spearheaded by Ellen Wilkinson upon implementation within the Union of Britain.

That bring us to the Maximists, who have proposed an ambitious plan of public works that would also see the centralization of the the economy under the Union government rather than within the individual trade unions. This would be guided by the firm hand of Mosley himself, as Commissary for the Exchequer.

It was a fierce debate, seeing several impassioned speeches as speakers made reference to the Black Monday event that brought catastrophe to the world beyond, as well as the revanichist sentiment that had made itself apparent in Canada after the rise of Edward VIII. In the end it was the honorable Comrade Mosley who carried the day, ensuring that the Union of Britain will enter an era of rapid industrialization so it can stand boldly on the world stage with all the manufacturing and economic might that is needed to safeguard ourselves from anyone who would threaten us.

Of course the Trade Union Congress is far from over even with this gain, and it remains to be seen just what else will be decided here. Naturally, we shall keep you appraised of events as they happen.

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Arthur Horner, leader of the Federationist faction at the Congress

Day 10 of the Trade Union Congress

The tenth day of the Congress has arrived, as the struggle for supremacy continues between the various political factions of the Union. The Congress has since moved on from economics to the implementation of internal policy, politics, and the matter of administrating the Union. This is an important component to the economic question, able to help or hinder the efforts of the Maximist policy that has so recently been agreed upon.

Before one can consider the policy of reforms, however, one must look at the current political structure of our union:

As you can see, the structure of our union is fairly democratic. Power is primarily invested in the Trade Union Congress, which directs the regional bodies that handle local affairs. they also appoint judges to the various courts, elect a Chairman, set policy, and can dissolve the executive branch if they feel that it is needed. Meanwhile, the General Secretary appoints a council which has limited authority to carry out and enact the policies set by the Trade Union Congress, though their ability to act of their own accord is curtailed.

So we come to the notion of internal policies. The Federationists and Congregationists, having maintained a coalition for the past several years, voiced their support for the status quo as adequate for the needs of the Union at this present time.

On the other hand, the Autonomists set forth a proposal for increased decentralization, which would enshrine Home Rule for the various regional Councils and curtail the power of the Federal government accordingly. They asserted that this would be the only way to ensure maximum efficiency of governance that catered to the needs of the local populations. This would be overseen by Rhys Davies, as their appointment to the Minister of Security.

Meanwhile the Maximists have proposed their own plan. Following the Totalist Charter this should come as no surprise that their proposal involves centralization, a strengthening of the executive at the expense of the Trade Union Congress. This would be overseen by their own suggestion for Minister of Security, Neil Francis Hawkins. Diametrically opposed to the Autonomist policy, the presentation sparked fierce debate in the Congress.

Following hours of debate and several impassioned speeches, the Federationists under Horner were able to marshal the votes needed in conjunction with the Congregationists to outvote the Maximist faction, and maintain the current policies that have kept the Union going thus far.

The Congress is far from over however, and the setback for the Maximist faction has made it clear that Mosley will not have his way unimpeded. Only time will tell who emerges on top.

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Our brave boys in uniform going on a long walk

Day 15 of the Trade Union Congress

With internal politics decided upon, the recent days of the Trade Union Congress have seen the topic shift to military matters. Especially relevant with the recent buildup of the Navy, the question became what the Union of Britain would do with the armed forces in this increasingly tense era of international affairs.

While there would understandably be a great priority upon the Navy and the Air Force, the Army has been a point of contention for some time. It is an eclectic mix of small standing forces, home defense garrisons, and militias which serve as a mobile reserve to the garrisons. However, it has become increasingly clear that this state of affairs is not sustainable.

With the continues jockeying for supremacy, the four factions have presented their own policy proposals regarding the British military.

The Autonomists were quick to suggest the formation of national armies for the constituent members of the Union, centralizing the Home Defense garrisons and militias at a regional level. It would also see a reduction of the standing army at the national level, to better ensure protection while preventing the possibility of oppression by force from the top.

The Federationaists also put forward a proposal that would expand the army to some degree, but would retain a focus on self defense of the nation from outside aggression. This would be in line with the foreign policy that the Union has followed since the Revolution, of relative isolation and pacifism.

The Congregationists in turn presented their own plan, which would keep the army the same while opening it up to women, in line with their pacifist and isolationist policy.

Finally the Maximists, stinging from their recent loss, presented a bold initiative that would expand the army and place local militias under the control of the Trade Union Congress, effectively federalizing them. It came hand in hand with promises from Mosley to develop military industry, and to keep the home defense garrisons autonomous. For now, anyway.

Talks went on for several hours, as rounds of voting saw the Autonomists fall behind while the other factions jockeyed for supremacy. It was the addition of allowing women volunteers in the military by the Maximists to their platform that allowed them to clench a majority, amidst outcry from the remaining Congregationists at Mosley stealing part of their platform.

Nonetheless he had taken the victory, reigniting the fire of the Maximist faction after their setback earlier. Whether it will hold as the Congress begins to near its end, we are sure the entirety of Britain is eager to see

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Painting of the scenic Cliffs of Dover

Day 20 of the Trade Union Congress

Having reached the twentieth day of the TUC, the Congress began to wind down. The last thing that was to be addressed was foreign affairs. For a long time after the Revolution, the British government had maintained itself in a position of relative isolation from the rest of the world as it focused on building up Socialism upon the British Isle. Yet as that process seemingly draws to a close, engagement with the rest of the world draws to the fore once again.

Compounding this issue is Black Monday, which many have seen as validating Socialist ideology and demanding a brisk response in order to facilitate the spread of the revolution abroad, to places previously not ready for it. Confined to a handful of countries so far, Syndicalism is poised to become a movement with serious international legitimacy, political power, and physical force.

Naturally, the four factions were quick to present their opinions on the foreign policy stance that the Union of Britain should take going forwards.

First was the Federationists, who expressed the traditional cornerstone of British foreign policy aside from isolationism. Specifically, continued opposition to the royalist regime in Canada, and support for their friendship with the Commune of France across the Channel as the banner carriers of Syndicalism. They would see the appointment of Ernest Bevin as Foreign Minister if elected.

Unsurprisingly, the Congregationists continued to espouse their particular pacifist/isolationist mindset, insisting that all conflict must be avoided and that Britain should continue to focus on domestic issues while maintaining strict neutrality abroad.]

The Maximists held to the tenets of Totalism, and insisted that Black Monday represented an unprecedented opportunity. They declared that British foreign policy should be marked by active involvement around the globe, taking advantage of every opportunity to fight reactionaries and support Syndicalists whenever they could. This would be overseen by Robert Forgan.

However it was the Autonomists who shocked the room, suggesting a proposal of reconciliation with the Royalists. This earned cries of outrage from the Maximists present, and for some minutes it seemed that violence might break out in the Congress.

Once things had settled down the voting began. In the end the Federationists saw strong support for their foreign policy, with the Maximists too radial for those who had grown used to the isolationism of the previous years. It was decided that a more phased engagement with the rest of the world would be preferable.

With that all the major matters were settled. Only details remain to be wrapped up. One thing is for certain, it has been quite an eventful Congress.

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Phillip Snowden, Chairman of the Trade Union Congress

Breaking News

The Daily Herald brings tremendous news to all of our British readers, on an issue that will be very relevant to our entire nation.

The Trade Union Congress was drawing to a close, on time to finish today, when the rumors that had long been flying about were proven to be true. Chairman Phillip Snowden took to the podium, and in a speech that shocked the entire Congress announced his official resignation as leader of the Trade Union Congress. In the speech he cited his old age, as well as the sizable rifts in the TUC as his reason for doing so, he also expressed his hope that a new Chairman would better be able to handle the issues that currently face the nation than he could.

As he departed the Congress hall silence reigned, following by a standing ovation in honor of the Chairman. Yet afterwards the Congress went to the important business of electing a new Chairman to lead the British people.

Thus far there has not been a decision from the Congress, though early reports from inside indicate that Horner's Federationists have an advantage. We'll keep you updated as we learn more....

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Some guy named Arthur Greenwood

Chairman Elected

As all of you surely know by now, yesterday Chairman Phillip Snowden resigned as head of the Trade Union Congress, citing his poor health and the growing ideological divides within the organization. The Congress, which had been preparing to adjourn, was throwing into a tumult as delegates quickly began to campaign and organize for the upcoming vote. Several speeches were made in favor of various candidates, as the fate of the Union of Britain hung in the balance.

In the end though it was Arthur Horner's Federationists who would emerge on top, pulling together a rag tag coalition with part of the Congregationist faction, and several Autonomists at the last second who sought to spite Mosley for his threats against them earlier in the Congress. In the face of that, Mosley's own coalition of Maximists and Congregationist defectors made a strong showing but was not able to pull off a win.

Congratulating the people of Britain on this historic victory, Horner was quick to appoint Arthur Greenwood as the new General Secretary for the Union of Britain, to lead the people into a new age for the nation and the world. Only time will tell whether he is successful.

As for Mosley, though he has lost this round in the Congress the Maximists remain a potent force to be reckoned with. Accepting the results, he nonetheless vowed that this was not the end, and that he would continue to act in the interests of the British people and international syndicalism.

Needless to say he will not be going away, and with the support that he holds in the TUC it is clear that there will be more clashes over policy between the Federationists and the Maximists in the future. Nonetheless the present of the Union of Britain has been decided as the Trade Union Congress of 1936 comes to an end.

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Superhero team name pending

Syndicalism on the march

People of the world, the time has finally arrived. The great confrontation is at hand! Europe trembles and crumbles under the economic devastation suffered by the Black Monday event and the disintegration of the capitalist system. In the past the world had suffered under the oppression of the rich, who rested in their mansions atop their ill gotten gains. In spite of scattered successes across the globe and even here on our fail isles, it seemed that we would have to wait perhaps a life time for the realization of the Socialist future to come.

The time has arrived. The world convulses in the fire of the greatest economic crisis this generation has seen. The streets are lined with the unemployed, the suffering, the downtrodden. We now find ourselves at the edge of a new era. Fostered by those trailblazers who have led the path, the oppressed and downtrodden, impoverished peoples of the world shall be forged into a might force that shall scour capitalism and imperialism from the face of the globe for all time!

We must be ready. The final triumph of Socialism will not be easy. Even now reactionary forces crack down upon our brothers across the globe. They hope to dull the revolutionary spirit through violence and persecution, but they will find that it only burns all the more fierce for it. There can be no triumph, no victory without sacrifice, and every one of our comrades that is murdered by them will be avenged sevenfold.

Do not be fooled by those who claim change can come with the ballot, the, pen, with collaboration and cooperation. They will inevitably fail, unwilling to do what is necessary to secure the gains they have made and inevitably doomed to subversion by the reactionary forces of the world. Do not trust them, for temporary successes will merely lead to stronger chains in the future.

From the cities of Berlin to the distant mountains of the Andes, the soldiers of the future are on the march. Together we shall create a new way, a new path, and in the fullness of time our inevitable triumph shall arrive. Their days are numbered, and the reactionaries know it. Every act of defiance, every bit of resistance, brings that victory closer. So we call on the people of the world to march hand in hand, to remove those who exploit you with guns, with bombs, with pitchforks, with your bare hands. Fight until there is no one left to put shackles upon you. Then you will know that our future has arrived.

The struggle is here, and we shall not be found wanting

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Into the wild blue yonder

Following the conclusion of the 1936 Trade Union Congress, Chairman Arthur Horner has set about enacting the agenda agreed upon at the Congress, as is the traditional duty of the Chairman and the General Secretary. While economic reforms have been slow to really take effect, Minister Mosley has assured us that it is just a matter of time until they do take full effect for the betterment of the Union of Britain.

However, the quickest changes have been in the Armed Forces. Centralization has taken place, bringing in the militias that would normally serve to defend the constituent members of the Union into line under the TUC in a more formal command structure. There will still be some time needed to formalize things and work out the various kinks that have arisen as a result, but with conflict not imminent they have the time.

Most importantly, the tanks of the military have been opened up to women volunteers, making good the policy initiative decided upon in the Congress. This has seen an influx into the Union Armed Forces, as the nation is brought another step closer to gender equality. The surplus of personnel will surely be useful if a conflict should arise.

That is not to say that there have not been incidents. Some elements in the military took offense at the changes that had taken place, or otherwise had trouble adjusting to it. Nonetheless they have been worked out with minimal trouble, and for the moment integration is proceeding smoothly as the volunteers are trained and prepared for deployment.

As such the nation has seen a swelling of support, women pilots, sailors, artillerymen are all presented in major news publications as another triumph of the Socialism world over reactionary nations who refuse to do the same. After all, it would be hypocritical of socialist ideals to allow men to fight for the Revolution, while denying the contributions that their counterparts have made in the past. Soon enough, all of human kind shall fight together as one, to bring about the final stage of civilization that has been foreseen for so long.

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Panama City in more idyllic times

While the Union of Britain enjoys peace at home, not all of the world is so fortunate. No more clear is that than the nation of Panama, which has become convulsed in conflict. Of courser some may draw attention to the Afghan war against India, as ill thought a war as ever existed, or the policing action against the Mad Baron of Mongolia, but those are distant conflicts, nothing but a mere footnote in the nature of world affairs. But all can agree, that Panama is important.

to understand the situation in Panama, one must first understand the history of the area. Freed as part of an opportunistic adventure on the part of then President Theodore Roosevelt, who sought to create a Canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in the name of international commerce, one could consider the canal as a triumph of human ingenuity and engineering. However this feat of engineering also meant that Panama was consigned to be an American dependency, forced to rely on their goodwill for economic sustenance. They were denied the ownership of a canal that rested in their territory. Meanwhile Panamanian politics was dominated by an oligarchy that sought to enrich themselves at the teat of the United States and its corrupt system.

Displayed as such, is it any surprise that the people grew angry, that they longed for change and sought to correct a situation they saw as unjust? The assassination of president Madrid was unfortunate but not undertaken by the Syndicalist movement in the country. It was a lone gunman acting of his own accord, and in the aftermath ignited a firestorm that saw the people rise up to seize their future. Peaceful change never would have come, not so long as the American government held the leash with its puppets.

So they revolted, and were successful.Panama became a free nation at last. yet they found themselves assaulted from the north, the United Provinces of Central America seeking to crush this wave of freedom before it began. They occupied the north of the country, taking advantage of anti0leftist sentiment to justify an unprovoked and opportunistic invasion.

The people of Panama were ready to fight, only to find that their movement was assaulted from another direction.

It was the usual suspects of course. Germany, Canada and it's allies, the Algiers regime, Japan. They began vicious efforts to suppress Panama, blockading and bombing men and women who simply wanted to go north to fight off the invasion that they had been subjected to, to relieve the suffering of their people suffering under the tyrannical and oppressive rule of the UPCA. They claimed that it was an effort to protect international commerce.

One should not be surprised that nations so eager to clamor at the inviolability of national borders and sovereignty, are so quick to discard it when it suits their own reactionary agendas. They cannot accept that it is possible the will of the people could endorse a movement at odds with their capitalist system of exploitation.

They vaunt their success in defending the canal, as if it had been a target in the first place. they deny the people of Panama the right to defend themselves from outside aggression, and even assist the Provinces in their brutal campaign of violence. They talk about commerce, but neglect to talk about the civilians bombed by sea or by air. They fail to discuss the atrocities committed by the reactionary forces that have brutally invaded Panama in the name of 'stopping Syndicalism." One could be the greatest destroyer in human history, to outmatch Chinggis Khan himself with cities destroyed and innocent people killed, and they would turn a blind eye so long as one had a convenient excuse regarding 'suppressing leftist sentiment'.

But we of the Union of Britain will not be silent. We may not be the Americas, but we cannot turn a blind eye to such suffering. they may have the upper hand for now but the will of the people is inevitable and unending. This coalition that has assembled will not sustain itself forever, and when the time comes we are confident that the people of Panama will unleash a reckoning upon those who have committed so many crimes against them. Until then, all we can do is prey for those who carry on this fight, and hope that their fortunes soon turn