Independence Wars
| Independence Wars | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the UK balkanisation conflicts | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
 Scotland Northern Ireland Republic of Wales |
 United Kingdom | ||||||||
| Units involved | |||||||||
 Scottish Liberation Action MovementNew Irish Republican Army Welsh Liberation Front |
 British Armed ForcesHelios Private Military Corps | ||||||||
The Independence Wars were a series of conflicts that occurred between 2030 and 2033 in the former United Kingdom, after the government rejected Scotland's declaration of independence and triggered civil wars. The conflicts resulted in the secession of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.
Background
Corporate deregulation
In the 2020s, the United Kingdom left the European Union, starting a slow period of corporate deregulation. This allowed large domestic and international monopolies like Helios Corporation to rise to power unchecked, while smaller companies suffered. These monopolies became nearly the sole parties of choice for government contracts, responsible for the implementation of projects worth billions of pounds.
The corporations eventually gained control over many formerly government owned industries, such as British Energy, the British Business Bank, Network Rail and the Department for Transport's holdings, and even ITV and the BBC as part of a new "British Media Group". In 2028, the government even allocated Helios and CHI representative boards, which had almost as much voting power as the rest of the country's population, exuding even more anger from working-class separatists. Tensions began to slowly rise over the years, and Scotland as well as Northern Ireland accused the British government of selling itself out to the corps. Meanwhile, the corporations' influence began to grow exponentially in England - but the majority of the English working class continued to be apathetic, as the government promised the creation of new jobs.
Start of the conflicts
On 21 June 2030, tensions between Scotland and the British government reached a breaking point, and the country officially declared independence. The government rejected the declaration, citing legislation requiring the consent of Parliament, where major corporations held the majority of seats. This sparked protests across the continent, including radical action taken by the SNP-affiliated revolutionary group, SLAM. On the 20th, the Prime Minister declared martial law across the country, and on the 23rd, the Army with the support of the Helios Private Military Corps was deployed to suppress the uprising in Scotland, marking the start of the wars.
Nuclear threats
In late 2030, pro-Scotland soldiers affiliated with SLAM gained control of the nuclear submarines at HMNB Clyde, threatening to launch an attack if the British government did not stop its assault. Backed by HELIOS, the government responded with threats of its own, promising the nuclear annihilation of Glasgow and Edinburgh if Scottish troops did not immediately stand down. After a long stalemate, both sides declared a temporary ceasefire on the 25th to avoid further casualties, with British military and the Helios PMC forced to retreat from Scottish territory.
Meanwhile, similar protests erupted in Northern Ireland, pushing for reunification in light of the deep corruption in the British government. Similarly, Wales began its own efforts to declare independence. Scotland's new government quickly formed a mutual defence pact with the two, vouching to use the nukes if the country threatened either of them.
Attrition and end
With the ceasefires in place, the wars entered a cold phase for the next three years as the countries erected hard borders between each other. The economic consequences of the wars were dire, and even the megacorporations themselves were severely affected. In 2033, the British population underwent food shortages, which resulted in a push for the government to end the war. A referendum was held, and the government finally agreed to recognise the independence of Scotland and Wales and stand down its forces.