New Englia

[Rogue]

Lonmouth: Prime Minister MacGovern has announced the conclusion of the "Regional Conference" that was declared last month to further improve the democratic representation in parliament. The conclusion of the conference is a reform for the lower and upper chambers of parliament, as well as reorganizing the country its subdivisions into three new "Regions", around 100 districts and several hundred municipalities. The country is to remain a unitary state, but these new divisions should "better represent the wishes of all people in the commonwealth." The lower house will be renamed the "National Chamber" and will be elected in a electoral-region based proportional election, improving the representation of smaller parties. The Senate will be reformed to elect 100 directly-elected senators in 100 single-member constituencies under a FPTP system. This new method of election is to increase representation in the lower chamber while allowing for stronger local representation in the upper chamber. Under this new constitutional order the representatives in the country hope to create a better system, capable of representing both majority and minority. These changes are likely to break the hold that the Labour Party and Liberal Conservatives have had over New Englian politics and is likely to see more parties represented.

While figures like current Prime Minister MacGovern (LibCons) is satisfied with the result, others are not. The recently reemerged "Kilani League" has vouched to contest the upcoming election, called for next month, in a bid to fight for Kilani autonomy in this newly rearranged system. Prime Minister MacGovern is not seeking reelection, with her party having elected Harris Matthews as its new leader. Labour, which has shrunk to become a shadow of its former self, has elected Aaryan Chambers as their candidate for PM. Another party, the Democratic Party, is also contesting in the election as a Social Liberal political movement, largely consisting of disgruntled labour members. While other minor parties are also contesting the election it seems that these four are to have the biggest shot at decent representation. Lord Protector Houghton has scheduled the election to be held next month, with both the Chamber and Senate contested.

[Rogue]

Lonmouth: The Democratic Party, often named the Democrats, have won a shocking election victory that has shaken the status quo of New Englian politics. In a suprise election the party has become the largest in the country, taking away swathes of seats from both the Liberal Conservatives and Labour. Under the new partially proportional election the party benefitted from people eager to try something new. Democratic leader Zach Ellis had portrayed himself as a moderate capable of being both socially generous and fiscally conservative. His campaign slogan, "Time for Change", excellently played into the general desire of the people to step away from two party politics and into a new age of compromise. The Democrats captured 130 of the 300 seats in the Chamber, just 20 seats short of a overall majority, as well as capturing 42% of the national vote. The former ruling Liberal Conservatives still had a strong showing, securing 78 seats in the lower chamber and becoming the second party.

The Kilani League, the Kilani nationalist party, has instantly become the third largest party in the country, securing most of the seats in the majority Kilani regions in the south. The party has vouched not to enter a government "until significant promises on autonomy are made." Labour has further sunk from its high several decades ago, becoming the fourth party in the country and securing just 33 seats. A new minor party, the Progressive Ecologists, have secured 10 seats campaigning on a platform of conservation and conservatism.

Under this result the Democratic Party is set to form a new government, with Lord Protector Houghton announcing that he will meet with Democratic leader Ellis in the next few days, likely formalizing his appointment. Despire the situation Labour currently finds itself in it seems that Prime Minister-designate Ellis is seeking to form a coalition government with Labour, with the two parties having both majorities in the Chamber and the Senate if they decide to form a government. Negotiations for said coalition have yet to be formalized, with Labour leader Aaryan Chambers noting that "certain concessions and guarentees" would be made to make it a reality. A Labour-Democratic government would sit on the center-left, granting the country its first left of centre government in two decades.


The results of the Chamber elections


The results of the Senate elections

[Rogue]

Lonmouth: Labour party leader and Home Secretary Aaryan Chambers has announced the introduction of a new distribution key for local governments aimed at "better managing expectations and ensuring adequate resources of and for local government." While previously the government simply linked the money that municipalities and districts gained with the annual inflation rate, increasing it by the rate of inflation, the new Labour-Democratic government viewed this way of distribution as unfair. To make it fairer and more logical, a reform package has been proposed which will create the new "National Dividend" fund, a fund in which the national government will store all the money designated for the municipalities and districts. That money is then distributed over the municipalities and districts through a calculation on their population, their average income and their share of urban and rural areas. The National Dividend in turn will be linked by law to the annual budget. If the national budget increases (because the government wants to invest) the National Dividend will receive a equall increase in percentage to the budget. If the budget shrinks however (as the government adopts austerity) the National Dividend shrinks with it.

Through this system the government hopes to not just make distribution of funds fairer, but also better accomodate the needs of local government as it is expected that the National Dividend will grow in size harder then the previous model allowed, granting local governments more resources then before. Home Secretary Chambers has praised the reform, saying it will be the "first step" towards his envisioned reforms which seek to make government more effective and resourcefull. Chambers has also proposed legislation to reform the National Police, with his ambitious reform agenda catching eyes within both government and public. His proposed plan to increase jailtime for violent crime and introduce "crime interventions" to help families seeking to take their relatives out of crime have been popular with the average citizen, with his approval rating growing by the day. Media jockingly refers to Chambers as "the mock Prime Minister" for gaining more traction and attention then Prime Minister Ellis himself.

[Rogue]

Lonmouth: Lord Protector Reginald Houghton has died at the age of 83 due to pneumonia. The Lord Protector, who had served the country for 22 years, had long dealt with health issues which have now become fatal. While the death of the Lord Protector came at a suprising time, it was not wholly unexpected. Now, as Lord Protector Houghton is laid to rest, a new electoral college has been convened, consisting of 416 representatives (300 members of parliament, 100 senators, 7 Supreme Court Justices and 9 Special Electors). This electoral college, scheduled to start voting procedures next month, is set to elect a new Lord Protector who will also inherit the Barony of Belmore, with the late Houghton leaving behind the Barony of Morah. While the election of a new Lord Protector is a delicate matter, it is widely expected that former Defense secretary and current civil servant Ralphie Burton has the best chance of being elected, enjoying wide support amongst the MP's which are the largest voting bloc. Another "dark horse" candidate is low level civil servant Ollie O'Shiel, who is also expected to gain the necessary backing to run. But due to his Kilani origin he is unlikely to win in a electoral college dominated by Englians.

Once elected, the new Lord Protector shall serve for life just as Houghton has done. While a official date is yet to be confirmed, it is expected that Reginald Houghton is to be burried in a state funeral, with Prime Minister Ellis indicating his desire to initiate the process of organizing one for the late Lord Protector.

[Rogue]

Lonmouth: Ralphie Burton, former defense secretary and until now high ranking civil servant, has been elected Lord Protector with 344 of the 416 votes in favor. Runner up was Ollie O'Shiel, who won the remaining 72 votes. Burton will be titled "Ralphie Burton, 2nd Baron of Belmore and Lord Protector of the Commonwealth." His experience in the field of public service and his status as a independent were the two main factors for many representatives voting for Burton to replace the deceased Houghton, who received a state funeral last weekend. It is expected that the country will not experience major changes with Burton at its head, as Burton is politicaly speaking a pragmatist and the position of Lord Protector is largely ceremonial. The election of Burton does however mark a continuation of relative stability in New Englia, stability that is much needed as the country undergoes major reforms under the Democratic-Labour coalition. Especially the reforms from the Home Office, which have already reshaped policies on local government and police, are marking this government as one of the most transformative in the last two decades. With Burton likely to oversee the calm and steady governance of the country in the face of continued reform.

[Rogue]

Lonmouth: Secretary of State for Defense Theodore O'Murry has revealed a plan to invest nearly 4 billion pounds into the New Englian Defense Force, seeking to both further modernize the force as expand it. Secretary O'Murry made the announcement at the annual Longreen Defense Conference in which he also described the need for New Englia to "remain vigilant, even as our country remains dedicated to peace and diplomacy." He reiterated that "the focus on diplomacy makes sure we need less ammunition, but shouldnt make us ill-prepared." His announcement follows calls by the top brass of the Defense Force to better prepare for the possibility of conflict, even as it seems unlikely that conflict may appear. General Barney Ward warned that "wars can appear without us even wanting them to. We should be better prepared then we are now. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best."

His comments sparked criticism and a public callout by Prime Minister Ellis who called the comments "unfortunate" and reiterated that New Englians "should not fear a conflict." But labour politicians had a different take, with Home secretary Chambers openly supporting General Ward and also saying that "in my opinion, we should be more prepared", showing cracks in the unity between Labour and Democratic administrators. Now O'Murry, himself from the Labour Party, has announced the 4 billion package to invest into primarily the Army of New Englia and the New Englian Air Guard. The army is set to be expanded from 6.000 soldiers currently to an active force of 20.000. This will constitute to around 4 brigades. The reserve force, currently just 1000 strong, will be significantly expanded to include 50.000 reservists, who will all be trained in basic combat and will be able to be deployed in times of war quickly. The focus wont be on size and manpower however, with the bulk of the investment to be diverted into the modernization of the armoured vehicles in the army and modernization of infantry equipment.

The Air Guard is to receive modernizations to its fleet of Tornado aircraft as well as the Air Guard being given permission to look for a set of new transport aircraft and helicopters. The Navy of New Englia is set to not receive any new ships but will gain funds to create a new training regime for its sailors and upgrade the radar systems on its existing patrol boats and sole frigate in service. Besides investment in expansion and equipment the Defense Force is also to be reorganized, with a decentralized command structure to be implemented and the army also adopting new training methods for its units, focussing on quick deployment and specialized warfare.

[Drax]

Economic Cooperation Between New Englia and Deltaria

viewtopic.php?f=17&t=4398&p=192891#p192891

[Rogue]

Lonmouth: Navy Admiral Ray Williamson has openly criticized current defense policy following last year's decision to significantly invest in the Defense Force. While investments into national defense "are ofcourse always welcomed" he has argued that the lack of focus on the Navy shows that "the navy needs to be taken far more seriously if New Englia is to have a shot at defending itself". Under the latest investments the navy only gained a small portion of what was planned, not being able to purchase any other ships and implement only the smallest improvement on some of its current inventory. Williamson says that the Migrant Pass crisis is one of the current flashpoints that "show the need for a capable navy to protect our interests."

New Englia is generally a pacifist nation, with diplomacy the greatest focus of any subsequent government, but with tensions constantly shifting Williamson argues that New Englia could benefit from a more capable navy.

The past has shown that a smaller army and airforce serve us well as the terrain and general location of the country favors defensive warfare. We are however much more vulnerable at our coast and with tensions at sea come risks to our economic independence and trade relations with other countries. We need to take our navy far more seriously if we are to protect those interests

Currently the Navy of New Englia only has four active combat ships, three of which are OPV's (offshore patrol vessels) with one relatively old frigate as the New Englian flagship. Williamson argues that "a significant increase in the amount of combat ships" is needed to make New Englia prepared. He favors local procurement, while others in the navy favor purchasing ships from countries like Luthori. Williamsons warning comes as the Defense ministry is working hard to spend the newly designated funds, with the first Warrior IFV's having entered the factories to be modernized and infantry receiving new training schedules and methods as a result of reforms. Whether his calls for action will be met remains to be seen.

[Rogue]

Lonmouth: In a move labelled by both media and the Labour party as "highly irresponsible" Prime Minister Ellis has sacked his Home Secretary, Labour leader Aaryan Chambers. The official reason for the removal of Chambers is him deviating from the "policies of the State Council". In practice however every political commentator seems to agree that Chambers has been removed as his influence and popularity had outgrown that of the Prime Minister. Since the inception of the Democratic-Labour government it was Home Secretary Chambers who gained the spotlight. With his ambitious reforms and hard working ethics he quickly gained notoriety in the State Council, but praise with the general public. Prime Minister Ellis himself has gone largely unnoticed both under Chambers and other Labour politicians within the State Council who seemed to outperform their Democratic counterparts.

This move, seen by many as irresponsible, is almost guarenteed to blow up the entire government as Chambers has already convened a emergency meeting of all Labour ministers to determine whether they will continue in government or not. Chambers himself commented relatively pragmatic, citing it is the "right of the Prime Minister to determine who he or she serves with." and refusing to comment on Labour participation in government. Ellis has gained massive blacklash by the move, with a poll held immediately after the announcement suggesting his polling might have dropped from 49% previously to a astounding 22% following the sacking of Chambers.

All in Parliament Hill are holding their breaths, wondering whether this is the end of the first Democratic-Labour government.

[Rogue]

Lonmouth: Despite troubles within the New Englian government itself it is "bussiness as usual" on the front of foreign diplomacy. Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Jonah Watts visited his Deltarian counterpart in the Deltarian capital of Cachtice in one of the most fruitfull state visits of New Englia in years. Initially planned as a visit to rekindle friendly relations the visit morphed into a fruitfull and lucrative state visit. Watts initially toured the capital himself, being shown ancient sites and entering meetings with many Deltarian governmental departments ranging from discussing cooperation in the field of science to discussing trade. As the visit progressed, Prime Minister Ellis arrived in a visit that should distract from troubles at home.

After four days the two sides announced that besides stronger diplomatic relations, economic cooperation was also in the making. The New Englia Commonwealth Investment Fund was announced, to be created by Prime Minister Ellis, in which the Darali Investment Bank and Union Bank of Deltaria will pour funds to be used in investments surrounding the industrial sector in the commonwealth. Furthermore the Federal Import Export Corporation, a Deltarian state owned enterprise, will be buying Bauxite from New Englian mines, which Deltaria will use for a variety of purposes. This deal to provide Deltaria with Bauxite should tie the two countries further together economically speaking and strengthen the New Englian export market.

Prime Minister Ellis called the visit "historic" and indicated his hopes for "further fruitfull relations as this visit has shown that our countries are closer then ever." Whether his intention to distract from political troubles at home have worked remains to be seen as as soon as he arrived back in Lonmouth the New Englian Chronicle showed the headline "Prime Minister Flies Away from Nightmare!"