Sir Tobias Clarke, Revered, and Dr
President of the Congress for Liberty
Former Presdient of Solentia
Former Foreign Minister of Dranland
POSTING ON THIS THREAD IS FOR PARTIES AND NATIONS INVOLVED IN THESE EVENTS - THANK YOU
Tobias Clarke announced his retirment from Terran Politics. As such he is to embark of a farewell tour of Terran nations. If you would like him to attend an event in your nation please contact the Liberal Party in Solentia (http://classic.particracy.net/viewparty ... tyid=17249)
Confirmed locations on the tour:
Federation of Zardugal - Sir Clarke has been invited to address the Congress. There will also be a state dinner and a rally in the middle of Belgae City to celebrate the principles of freedom and liberty
Keizerlijke Confederatie van Vanuku - There will be a meeting with His Imperial Majesty Laurens IV, Emperor of Vanuku and Imperial Viceroy Duchess Sophie van der Spang
Supreme Imperial Republic of Keymon - There will be a trip to the Resistance Monument in Royal Hillbrough and a meeting with Supreme President Greene and Cornelius Royaliwith, Former Chairman of the Imperial National Party
Kingdom of Dranland - There will be formal festivity to honor Sir Tobias Clarke for his merits to Dranish-Solentian friendship, his service to the Dranish people as foreign minister and his leading role in the successful cooperation of the GNP and the Liberals, he will meet leading proponents of the GNP including former PM Jennifer Howard, under who he served as foreign minister, former Lord Chancellors Harold de Burgh and Charlene Goodwill as well as former deputy CfL President Alina Delarosa. The event will take place at The luxurious Palm Beach Hotel at the beachfront of Iglesia Mayor, where Mr Clarke and Mrs Howard used to coordinate their cooperation. Sir Clarke would also like to meet leaders of Unity and PAC parties.
Biography
Clarke formed the Liberal Party in 3292. The group is a diverse collective organisation of many political creeds: libertarians, socialists, social liberals, and economic liberals are all represented among the ranks. Support for the Party grew quickly among key social groups: the educated middle class, intellectuals, bohemian types, students, trade unionists, media and film celebrities, immigrants, even ‘artsy’ type hippies. Especially in the Clarkes home state of Fuwan, where membership was said to be doubling every week in the early years. The party was held together by an almost evangelical belief in personal freedoms and liberty. Over the years other party policies have developed but this corner stone has always remained in place and unshaken.
In 3294 the party contested its first general election and the establishment was shaken with the Liberals winning 20% of seats in the Senate and becoming the second biggest party. Later that same year Tobias Clarke became Senate Warden under the Unionist Presidency. Three years after, the Liberals place at the heart of Solentian politics was cemented as the party became the largest party in Senate, and narrowly lost the Presidency in the second round. During this time the party introduced a series of successful liberalising measures in the areas of freedom of speech and expression, drugs, alcohol, smoking, pornography, the media, and the protection of private property.
3300 saw the party make another breakthrough when Clarke was elected as the first Liberal President of Solentia. With the backing of the Democratic Republican party he secured over 60% of the second round vote. Clarke’s daughter Madeleine, who at age 29 had already served several years in cabinet was rewarded for her impeccable campaigning skills and became Senate Warden. Where Clarke had the vision and the ideology, Madeleine had the natural ability to communicate and connect with people, plus the determination to face down challenges and implement policy (n.b. although she never won the office of the Presidency she goes done in history as one of the most influential female politicians in the nation, serving a massive 12 years as Senate Warden, and towards the end of her domestic career combined the role with Foreign Minister in an unprecedented move). The two proved to be a formidable team and in a stroke of political genius secured a formal deal with the DRP. This ‘coalition’ became the dominant force in national politics for more than a decade, with only a minor spat on one occasion. During this time the liberal reforms already achieved were further consolidated. Not withstanding the odd temporary setback this ‘liberal settlement’ has become a defining aspect of Solentian culture every since and is infrequently challenged to this day.
The next few years saw conflict and posturing with the 2406 and Unionist Parties. Their attempt to form a Monarchy by stealth was the main cause of dispute. Following this time 2406 and the UP politicians claimed illegal titles for themselves and attempted to frustrate reform on every possible occasion. They refused to co-operate with the government, even acting clearly against national interest at times and forcing several needless elections in the vain hope of defeating Clarke.
Durring this time of domestic squabbling, Clarke, ever the statesman, looked to bring the nation to the forefront of Terran politics. 3305 saw the nation host an International Art Festival. Artists from Mordusia and Dranland, as well as Solentia exhibited work across all the nations’ states. Terra came. Some of the work was loved, some of it hated, but Solentia was at last on the world stage. While the Kansars and Unionists continued to bicker Clarke was representing the nation on overseas trips and speaking at Conferences around Terra. A state banquet followed in 3307 with several overseas dignitaries in attendance.
In 3310 after 10 years as President and 16 years at the top of government, Clarke announced that he was ready to step aside to support the Presidential bit of the DRP. Clarke had always been adamant throughout his career that he would not be beaten in an election. Hence in December of the following year with great dignity he left office in Solentia, and power in Solentia.
After a rest and a few years focusing on his family Clarke spectacularly returned to the forefront of politics. This time not in Solentia, but in the Kingdom of Dranland, serving as Foreign Minister in the government of Jennefer Howard (GNP). His appointment came as a surprise both in Dranland, Solentia and across Terra. The GNP had courage to face down those who criticised the appointment and pointed out his impeccable experience at the top of international politics for a decade or more.
Clarke’s time in Dranland was well spent. The following year he formed the Congress for Liberty. The concept was a Party Organisation focused on the spreading of freedom and democracy throughout Terra. Clarke became President of the CfL and within just 15 years it became one of the largest and certainly most influential groups in Terra. The organisation has not been without its critics. Again the Kansars who fled Solentia in order to cease the Throne of the Kingdom of Telemon spoke out in criticism of Clarke. With great dignity Clarke has led the CfL in the face of such insults. Now at over 90 years of age he is ready to step aside and hand over the leadership to the next generation.
While Clarke may fade from the world stage – it is inconceivable that ‘clarkism’ – the doctrine of spreading freedom and democracy will fade, on the contrary the philosophy seems to be gaining ground with every single day, party by party, nation by nation.