Election Time... Twice
In the October General Election, the region headed to the polls once again in order to select a Prime Minister and Members of Parliament. Michael Stewart was denied a second subsequent term as Prime Minister with Henry Norfolk securing the Premiership 14 votes to 11. Stewart, a former incumbent Prime Minister and Norfolk, a candidate of several previous races for Prime Minister, presented a battle of experience. Both candidates had an active campaign, focusing on issues such as a renewed foreign policy, recruitment ideas and who was best placed to give the region momentum on the new forum. After a long contest, it was Norfolk who took the most votes in order to secure the Premiership.
In the race for Parliament, the Pragmatic Alliance lost its majority, picking up only two seats. Those were through defeated Prime Minister Mike Stewart and JayDee Bonaparte. The Scottish Unionist Party established themselves in Parliament once more with their leader Klaus Mikaelson securing a seat, with Prime Minister Henry Norfolk completing the top 4. Controversy arose in the battle for the final seat as the leader of the newly established Conservative Party Samuel Kohnaarikson and independent candidate Charlie Beckett were tied until a vote came after the polls closed. However, the electoral officers certified Beckett as the winner.
The full results are contained below:
Henry Norfolk (LP): 14 votes (53.33)
Michael Stewart (PA): 11 votes (46.67%)
Samuel Kohnaarikson (Con): 11 votes (12.22%)
Klaus Mikaelson (SUP): 15 votes (16.67%)
Michael Stewart (PA): 15 votes (16.67%)
Jay Dee Bonaparte (PA): 15 votes (16.67%)
Charlie Beckett (Ind): 12 votes (13.33%)
Henry Norfolk (LP): 13 votes (14.44%)
Vlaska (PA): 9 votes
Not long after securing a seat for Parliament and proving to be an active MP, Charlie Beckett surprisingly resigned. Beckett got of to a quick start in Parliament, proposing several bills and generating a debate throughout the region on removing the House of Lords. Attributed to time constraints and the stonewalling of his ideas, Beckett resigned for Parliament although has continued to be an active Citizen as the region enters a Constitutional Convention. The race to succeed Beckett was between John Spencer-Churchill of the Pragmatic Alliance - who were seeking to regain their majority - and independent candidate Madeline Norfolk, the current Home Secretary. All other parties did not field a candidate and some backed Norfolk, seeking to block the PA majority. In a close race, Spencer-Churchill prevailed by one vote.
Cabinet of Curiosities
Prime Minister Henry Norfolk began his term announcing a cabinet with a mix of experience. Long term former Prime Minister Klaus Mikaelson joined the Cabinet as Deputy Prime Minister and Attorney General, while multi-term Cabinet member JayDee Bonaparte returned as External Affairs Secretary. Samuel Kohnaarikson and Arthur Pendragon, who each served once previously in the Cabinet, got another opportunity as Culture Secretary and Home Secretary respectively. Newcomer and first time Cabinet member Madeline Norfolk completed the Cabinet appointments.
The Cabinet got to a busy start, announcing an updated Citizenship list and reformed application process. The External Affairs Secretary announced the repeal of several treaties, including the League of Regions and announced a State Visit with Europeia. The Culture Secretary commenced a new game of Constituency Battle, an activity generated competition and initiated the introduction of Prince Edward/Akillian Talleyrand into the Hall of Fame. The Prime Minister also announced Georgiana Stewart, a long time member of the House of Lords and former Queen, as his appointment to the Crown Court. This followed a controversial decision of the House of Commons last term to reject the previous Prime Minister's nominee, a decision praised and attacked by differing citizens. Georgiana Stewart however managed to be confirmed unanimously.
Over the course of the term, the Cabinet has reshuffled, with Madeline Norfolk becoming Home Secretary and Samuel Kohnaarik replacing her as Public Services Secretary, while continuing as Culture Secretary. Sacul Astoria replaced JayDee Bonaparte who resigned following the completion of the Europeia State Visit.[/align]
Constitutional Convention
Faced with multiple proposals on Constitutional changes and growing calls for reform, the Lord Speaker and the Speaker of the House of Commons convened a Constitutional Convention. Citizens have not been shy about making proposed changes and debating with one another. Among the changes proposed is reforms to Parliament, ranging from maximum debate time to wide scale changes, such as a single debating Chamber or removing the House of Lords. Others have also proposed changes to the Crown Court to implement another Court tier to increase judicial experience and the activity of the Court.
One proposal that is receiving strong support is an amendment to allow the Prime Minister to alter the Cabinet composition without authority from Parliament, though debate has stalled over concerns with the wording proposed. A bill aimed at making this change without amending the Constitution was previously struck down by the Court. Other proposals have included parliamentary confirmation of the Cabinet, a required debating opportunity given to the Citizenry and a minimum standard of activity to vote in elections.
Aside from the Constitutional Convention, Parliament has been busy with other work. Two treaties have been repealed due to the allies being deemed inactive. Parliament also removed illicit military activity from the Criminal Code, giving more flexibility to Citizens to work outside the regional army. A bill to alter the definition of espionage was voted down by the House of Lords.
In addition to this, the Regency Act was passed both chambers and seeks to define procedures for an automatic Regency period of the Crown. An Amendment to the Election Act to allow campaigning in more places also passed both chambers. Presently, the House of Lords continues to debate repeal of the Full Representation Act, which established an elected position on the NS site, and MP's continue to debate strongly on a proposed bill regulating the University. The University Reform Act passed the House of Lords but the House of Commons continues to debate the bill, with MP's divided on the set up of the governing board, resulting in the legislation stalling.
Inter-regional Affairs
Unlike between the similarly named but totally unaffiliated real-world UK and Europe, the friendship between long-standing allies NSUK and Europeia is running strong. Visitors from each region arrived upon the other's shore. Europeians were welcomed into the UK, being fast-tracked through border control to avoid any awkward situations. They partook in spam games, quizzes, and a prize was given out for the highest poster at the festival. Then the Brits crossed over to Europeia, where they were welcomed in equal measure by their Europeian friends. Besides this two-way state visit, the UK and Europeia also met in another, larger inter-regional event - UCR-con, a convention held on Discord for User Created Regions. The UK had its own stand to chat to members of other like-minded regions, and citizens could visit lectures, partake in discussions, and enjoy the company of people from all across the globe.
MP... PM... PoW... Hall of Fame Inductee!
Last week, citizens of UK lined the streets to hear who would be selected as the latest inductee into the regional Hall of Fame. Many citizens were expecting a pillar of the community, a Goliath of the forum, and were instead greeted with the name Akillian Talleryand, also known as the Edward Stewart, the Prince of Wales. Members of the crowd seemed confused and dismayed, with some questioning the decision and others wondering out-loud if the Hall of Fame selection committee had run out of qualified individuals. It is a sad day indeed when someone who has done so little for the region can swindle his way into the Hall of Fame. Akillian has served in a number of Cabinet positions during his Tenure in UK, as well as being elected to the House of Commons numerous times. He is one of only two Prime Ministers in UK history to be elected to high office three consecutive terms, and at one point left politics behind to serve as the Chief Justice of the Crown Court. Noting how little he has achieved personally, it is widely assumed that he somehow bribed his way into the position of Prince of Wales and soon to be King, as he clearly hasn't earned it. So as citizens of UK get used to the newest addition into the Hall of Fame, some must surely be wondering, how much further can we fall?
The BBC congratulates Akillian on this well-deserved, and wishes him the best in all future....may they happen elsewhere
A Week of Terror
Spookiness hit the United Kingdom as it probably did many regions across NationStates as October grew to a close. The Spooky Saloon was set up to show off creepy costumes, petrifying pumpkins, and terrifying traditions. Meanwhile the Pumpkin Patch was overrun by spooky spammers, horrifying hexes being flung left, right, and centre. A game of Werewolf was set up, turning both friends and enemies against each other. In summary, nothing out of the ordinary really.
Thank you for reading!
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