The economy had got progressively worse as a privileged few took more out of the pot than they put in. Much of their personal wealth creation was generated from uninhibited expense accounts and clever accounting processes. Very little now was challenged but when there was a challenge, there would be the occasional but infrequent success. Some politicians went to gaol while a few business leaders were forced to resign albeit with large payoffs. And for a short time people were encouraged by the possibility that the ‘pigs in troughs’ mentality were being eradicated.
However, a weak government in its futile attempt to stem the economic decline mistakenly thought that removing the constraints on the wealth creators would generate growth; it didn’t. And so, by this year over twenty percent of the employable population were unemployed. Most of the youth of the nation were uneducated, unskilled and unemployable except for in the most menial of tasks. The few people in gainful employment worked for minimal, subsistence wages. Those already at the bottom of the pile suffered most and an underclass had developed. This underclass was clear to see in housing estates all over the country. Graffiti, dereliction and uncollected rubbish made one housing complex indistinguishable from another. Criminal activity was rife, but crime figures were massaged to make them appear low. As a result, criminals largely went unpunished. The elderly were rarely seen on the streets; they were too afraid, relying heavily on people like John and Marie Judge for support.
London and other major cities experienced the worst rioting in their history and while demonstrations were the order of the day, strikes were few and far between. Unions were now banned under new legal regulations.
The anger in John’s voice was clear. ‘Are our politicians blind? Can they not understand that if they carry on in this way the society they take so much from will collapse and there will be nothing left for them to take.’ John was hosting a meeting at his home of his friends and like-minded supporters, supporters who were destined to become his lieutenants. For the moment, this was just a talking shop and nothing more. It was a chance for John and his friends to debate what was happening in society without risking being charged with anti-social behaviour by an ever-intrusive government.
‘We know that political opposition is now virtually impossible. We also know elections are rigged. Worker power has been sterilised and I’m afraid the riots we’re now seeing will get worse because it’s the only option left for anyone who wants their voice heard.’ This was one of his regular meetings with his friends. They would alternate between each other’s houses and at each of the meetings, ideas would take root. These ideas would eventually become the basis of John’s strategy.
John Judge was thirty-five years of age and had served as a British Paratrooper for six of his ten years service. His last four years was with the SAS and he served much of that time in the Middle East before being wounded. His wounds, unfortunately, would never allow him to continue with the Paras or SAS even after he recovered. He was discharged after declining a less demanding role in a training centre.
John looked around the room and speculated on where he would lead these friends in the years to come. Terry Bayliss had served with John as a Para and later with him in the SAS in Afghanistan; they were good friends. Derek Farson was an ex-Paratrooper who had got to know John and Terry through their work in the area helping the poor and vulnerable. He liked what they were doing and wanted to get involved. Mal Adams was an ex-Marine Commando, who had been discharged for getting into too many fights with civilians in the local bars. Two others, ex-Para Graham Johns, who was now a police officer and Paul Cobb an ex-Marine, was an expert in explosives. Each time they met the group debated the political situation long into the night. High on the agenda was the ever increasing level of crime and lawlessness and John believed that something would need to be done soon, if not by the Government by then by others.
The year 2022
John and his wife had worked tirelessly over the past four years organising community help projects and building the infrastructure to ensure as many of the very vulnerable were helped. Their main task was to ensure that the elderly and young children were fed. Many of the helpless had been forgotten by their local services and John’s team tried to assist as many as possible. Each team was led by one of John’s trusted friends and they all had military experience. That fact remained secret and needed to remain so for the time being. For John and his team, what they were doing had a hidden agenda and preparations were well in hand. This was the beginning of John’s vision of creating an organisation that could stand up to what he knew was coming. He had watched successive governments become more corrupt, more powerful and saw a gradual breakdown of society’s values There was no way in his mind this could lead to anywhere but total anarchy. He concluded that there was only one way those in power could control such an event...total domination. He knew what that would mean for ordinary people.
Another change of government was brought about by a very public scandal of several senior cabinet members accused of being involved in a sex ring. They were exposed by a part of the press that had not yet come under the control of the Government of the day. It was proven that they were party to importing young girls from Eastern Europe and taking fat handouts for arranging the necessary import documents. Once their activities were uncovered, they had no choice but to resign en bloc. The government of the day collapsed.
Waiting in the wings was a group of powerful far right politicians led by an exceptionally ambitious young man. Tony Garside had worked his way through his party ranks and had the charisma to step forward and take control. He had built himself quite a reputation so there was little opposition to his ideas of a fair and just society which were well illustrated and he was believed. As a well-groomed and articulate speaker, people listened. There was no snap election. Instead, a declaration of a state emergency was announced. The TV media came under state control and announcements were made about how they, this cohort of patriotic men, led by Tony Garside, were going to clean up the country. Tony Garside, the recognised leader of the group, sat in front of the TV camera and read his cue cards perfectly, with supreme confidence and authority.
“I have today taken charge of State affairs following the sad but necessary departure of our previous government. My colleagues and I, promise the people of this country that corruption will be rooted out and those responsible will be punished. Criminals will be caught and locked away. We will build sufficient prisons to ensure that happens. After full and lengthy discussions with the police and the military, we will utilise open ground such as sports fields and parks to build containment pens. These will be used for any persons who embark upon anti-social behaviour and they will be removed from your streets. There will be zero tolerance. A draft constitution is being developed that will re-establish the values and principles I know you all wish to see as part of our society once again. My cabinet colleagues and I have the full support of the military and the police to make it happen. I will make a further announcement in due course. Goodnight and God bless you all.”
When he was sure that he was off camera, Tony Garside leaned back in the chair. He smoothed his well-groomed dark hair, loosened his tie and smiled, not smugly but with a satisfied smile knowing he had delivered his speech just as he planned and he had arrived.
The TV commentator announced, ‘That was a broadcast on behalf of the Interim Government. Ordinary people interviewed by the television company (now suddenly called State TV), generally welcomed what they heard. At last, something was going to be done about crime, about hooliganism and corruption. There was a sense of relief.
But not for John. He shared the relief felt by many people that something would be done about disorder and crime, but he had his doubts about whether corruption, especially at high levels would be eliminated. He also felt extremely uncomfortable about the draconian measures that were being introduced.