Luther Meeks Narrowly Loses to Bates; Elected Chairman of NMPHMeeks delivering his concession speechBEKENIAL, ADELIA -- In a surprise campaign, the National Monarchist Party of Hutori put Deputy Leader and longtime Minister for Trade and Industry Luther Meeks (NMPH-KE) in for their presidential candidate. The libertarian firebrand headed the trade and industry ministry for over a decade, where he quietly built up the NMPH's libertarian faction into a viable force that could reckon with the heirs of the first generation of leadership of the party.
Meeks had 49% of the vote, and lost after the Labour Party endorsed incumbent President Bates. "The fight is not over," Meeks said in his concession speech. "It is just beginning."
Then-incumbent Party Chairman "Big Mac" McDonall had been regarded as a "campaign failure", as the party has seen declining seats since the Presidency of party founder Robert Bell. A special no-confidence chairman election was held, with Meeks easily pulling a coalition of federalist, anti-war, and libertarians to vote McDonall out of office with over 70% of votes cast. Meeks represents a pivot of the party from focusing on constitutional and monarchy related issues to focusing on civil liberties and the economy.
Anti-war leader Clinton Bird was installed as Deputy Leader of the party. This is the first time in its history that a prominent pro-monarchy activist hasn't been in its slate of leaders.
Former Opposition Leader Jane Burton has indicated that she will stay on as leader of the party, bolstered by support from libertarians.