Winston Churchill took an appreciative sip from his brandy, before settling back. “So, my friends,” he said. “You’ve had time to prepare a model for a Commonwealth strengthened beyond even the current Security Treaty with the Dominions. Let’s see what we have, then.”

Andrew Phillips cleared his throat nervously. “Yes, sir.” He tapped his computer, projecting what Churchill knew to be a ‘PowerPoint’ display. An image appeared, showing various countries in red: Britain; Canada (new territories included); Newfoundland; Southern Africa; Kenya; Burma; Malaya; the Straits; Sarawak; Australia and New Zealand. “First of all, sir, we’d be retaining the Security Treaty, with some expansions: the idea of a joint Commonwealth protectorate for nations that agree.”

“Like Oman and the Trucial States.” Churchill nodded. He’d be meeting with some of the Arab leaders later in the month…

“Just so, sir. This will relieve some of the burden on Britain alone, if we can maintain joint Commonwealth forces in particular territories.” Phillips continued. “The Commonwealth itself, we suggest rebranding to the Imperial British Commonwealth. The King – or Queen – of the UK would under these provisions become the Emperor of the Commonwealth. This’d be helpful in those new Dominions ruled by a monarch – an Emperor supersedes a mere King, after all.”

“Clever little bit of rhetorical grandiosity,” Churchill observed. And good for Britain on a purely prestige level, of course. Retaining a King-Emperor… “Proceed.”

The next image showed a graphic of what appeared to be some kind of debating chamber. “To tie the Commonwealth together, we’re looking at a model similar to the up-time European Union, though far looser. Primarily based around mutual trade and defence, sort of like a fusion between the earlier EEC and NATO. To facilitate this, we’d have a central Commonwealth Assembly or Parliament: bicameral, we suggest, a General Assembly made up of representatives elected from the member-states; and a Commission run by Commissioners chosen by the governments of the member-states. Leadership of the Assembly would be rotated amongst the member-states, with the King-Emperor as the ceremonial head.”

“And what powers would this Assembly have, precisely?”

“It would provide a convenient negotiating platform for the members of the Commonwealth, sir. Day-to-day, we’d expect that its powers would include decisions on internal trade within the Commonwealth – not external trade, none of the Dominions would want to give that up. But it could allow a forum for negotiation on that subject – more rapid than talking to different High Commissioners. It could also debate on joint offensive military action for the Commonwealth. Defensive action would be covered by the Security Treaty – an attack on one nation is an attack on the Commonwealth as a whole.”

“I can see the use of this body for deliberations on offensive action: it’d dispel any worries that troops were being ordered into battle for selfish ends on the part of Britain. Now, where would this Assembly be located? Britain proper, much though I would wish it, might be a problematic location.”

“We were thinking Hong Kong, Prime Minister. It’s British territory, but far enough away from Britain proper that it should be acceptable.”

“Hmmmm. Well, we might need to re-think that in 2047, but…for now, that could work. Proceed.”

Another man – a Mr Dunham, Churchill remembered, an up-time economist of some kind – stepped up. The picture changed again. “Only a suggestion of course, Prime Minister: we were thinking that a common currency would serve as a useful tool to unite the Commonwealth further,” Dunham said carefully. “Decimalised, to simplify trade with the United States, but controlled by the Bank of England. The ‘Imperial’, we’re calling it provisionally.”

There’s disadvantages here – and some of the Dominions won’t like the idea of the Bank of England having the power to effect their economies – but it will have definite advantages for simplifying trade and keeping ties close between us and the Dominions. Plus…in an economic war, it keeps us all on the same side. Churchill resolved that he’d do what he could to promote that idea. “I don’t like the idea of losing the pound, or going decimal, but…if it benefits Britain, I could live with it. We’ll keep this idea. Now, what else?”

Phillips took up the discussion. “Well, Prime Minister…free travel between Commonwealth members…”

Churchill raised a hand. “That one could be a red-line issue. The Australians won’t like the idea of…” He paused, searching for a way not to hurt the man’s feelings. “That is to say, they like control of immigration.”

Phillips smiled sourly. “Of course, Prime Minister. So our proposal is free travel and residence for up to a year. Any more than that, and the usual bureaucratic rigmarole would come into play.”

“Hmmm. Doable.” Churchill thought he could get the other Dominions to play along. Maybe if I sell it as a chance for increased white immigration to Southern Africa and Australia…“And of course, this would only apply to Commonwealth citizens.”

Nodding, Phillips allowed the third man – Captain Davis, Royal Navy – to step up. Again, the image changed. “To simplify joint military operations, we propose a Commonwealth Military Committee. The Committee, headed by a Chairman – a senior military officer from a Commonwealth country – would be made up of the leading officers from the member-states, and would have absolute authority over the organisation of Commonwealth military operations and joint defensive plans. It would also allow for an integrated command structure, similar to that in up-time NATO forces.”

Churchill nodded with deepest satisfaction. “Splendid. We’ll need to discuss this further – us, the Cabinet, and further beyond that…but for now, allow me to extend my sincere admiration and thanks.”