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NS Factbook NS WikiForeign Update: 26 November 2014[/center]
Election Reform
The United Kingdom's Parliament has begun discussions on electoral reform. Alexander W.G. Stewart proposed the idea of putting the candidates into the same ballot and the five candidates that have the most votes would become the next Members of Parliament. Mr. Stewart says that "presently we have an issue where some find themselves voting none of the above and cases where some people believe we only end up with half of the best candidates because they end up facing off against another capable candidate." This may be true, but questions have arisen about how this would operate on a basic level. Will candidates will no longer fight for certain named constituencies, and will constituencies still be apart of Parliament? Andrew B. Fraser, MP for Northern Ireland, has already made clear that he does not support the idea of electoral reform saying that the current system works fine and there is no need to change it. Though he may be on the wrong side of this one, as public opinion is either heavily in favour of a reform, or ambivalent about the prospect of one (and even they had stated that if problems were worked out, they'd be in favour), and so the No camp is very slim indeed. We'll have to see how this one plays out.Regional Holiday Act Passed
The Regional Holiday Act has been passed through Parliament with 5 Yes votes to 1 No and 1 Abstain. The Regional Holiday Act places into law the time and planning of regional activities and cultural events. These will include such things as the Jubilee Day, which is a celebration of the reign of the current Monarch of the region, and also the Commemoration Day, which will be a remembrance day for the 11/4 attack on the United Kingdom forums.Richard North, Speaker of Parliament, has presented this to the King for Royal Assent, after which it will then be marked as an official Act, and take full legal force.
Treaty of Argyle
The Region of the Land of Kings and Emperors recently approached the UK Foreign Office to ask if the United Kingdom was interested n an Alliance between both regions. Prime Minister Klaus Mikaelson got involved in the proceedings of making the Treaty of Argyle with the LKE Foreign Minister Josh Sebastian. Both came up with a treaty before it was brought to the Parliament Chamber for approval. The Treaty of Argyle was approved by Parliament with a 6 Aye votes and 1 Nay vote, and the Speaker of Parliament will now present the Treaty to the King for royal assent before being made law.Culture Secretary Resigns.
Within Days of Klaus Mikaelson announcing his new cabinet, Culture Secretary Frederik Fominov resigned in a shock move. He stated his large commitments in other regions as well as his personal life as reasons for his departure. The Prime Minister accepted this Resignation and swiftly named Edwin T.C. Astor as Frederik's replacement. Edwin continued the work that Frederik had started at the ministry, and and there was a smooth transition. We wish Edwin the best of luck! [hr][/hr]
Economic Commission
Prime Minister Klaus Mikaelson has created an Economic Feasibility Commission, selecting members of the region from both sides of the debate to come together and discuss ways that the United Kingdom can obtain and sustain an economy. Those that were invited to join the Commission were: Constance St. James, Andrew B. Fraser, Charles M.S. Fraser, Vac Mikaelson, Daniel C. North. The region awaits their deliberations.
Embassy Closures
The Foreign Office of United Kingdom has decided to clean up our current roster of embassies, by issuing inactivity notices to, and then closing, embassies where the ambassador has not posted for quite some time. The Foreign Office hopes that our current allies and other foreign regional friends can come say hello every once in a while just to show that they wish to continue foreign relations with our region, and we will do the same with them. [hr][/hr]
[/center][spoiler=The Lord Dundonald Interview] Lord Dundonald
Welcome back Lord Dundonald!
What brings you back to the United Kingdom?
First let me thank you John for the warm welcome. It is most appreciated, and it is grand to be back in the United Kingdom; thus far, I have enjoyed my return. Moving onto answering your question, without delving too much into my private and real life which I am sure you will appreciate is not business someone need share in these fora, I have recently passed a major transition in my life, a move across the other side of my country, along with taking on an intense and tasking employment which has taken up the vast majority of my time. As of December, I -should- have a decent amount of time to give to the United Kingdom once more; particularly on weekends. The region should expect to see a reasonable amount more of me in the near future; whether that is a good or bad thing, I will leave that to your readers to decide John.
What are your plans within the United Kingdom?
My plans? Well John, that's a rather broad question, but I'll do my best. Since getting back, my main plan is to see the continued prosperity of the United Kingdom. I do not claim in any way, shape, or form that I will be even a contributor to that future, however, I will do my utmost to continue the work I tried to endeavour to complete whilst King of the British peoples, and the tasks, ideas, and visions I saw of the future of the United Kingdom whilst I served as Prime Minister some time before that. It has been over a year since I was Monarch, over two years since I was Prime Minister, and I am no less impassioned by the issues that face this region than I was then. My plan is a simple one, to continue to serve this region, where this region, her King, and her Government, see fit. I also aim to continue serving the Holy Anglican Church of England in my role as a shepherd to the Lord's flock.
Do you plan to run for Prime Minister the next General Election?
Well thank you John for putting me on the spot! Well, now is as good a time as any. If all goes to plan for me, on NationStates, and in my life in an offline capacity, I -shall- be making a bid for the great office of these Kingdoms. There is not much more that I would see to add to that statement at the present time without seemingly bringing some potential hindrance or possible detriment to my future campaign, all I will vocalize is that I will see give my all to make the Democratic Unionist Party, with myself and my team at the helm, the reformers of this region. Turning the tide from what has been a cultural stagnation since the monopoly. I look forward to working with partners from all parties and independents to ensure this.
As a Lord of Parliament what is your thoughts towards the Election and Juridical Reform?
As one of two appointed Lords of His Majesty King James, I have had the pleasure of witnessing the functions of this House once more, from within at the command of the Royal Office; an appointment I have not held in quite some time. As the catalyst of current conversations regarding electoral form, I see it as something very positive and progressive. Likewise I think the same of Judicial reform. My only issue with judicial reform is that I still, having voted in favor of it, cannot help but feel it is motivated in part by some personal ambition. I am also a tad more cautious in reforming the judiciary, than elections.
The judiciary has been the bastion of stability in its continued existence in a form which has largely remained the same for a very long time. Whilst it can be argued the same has been the case for elections, they are both very different. The judiciary is an entity, elections are a process. A process which has led to controversial moments such as the vote fixing accusations from some years ago, among other things I shan't pour into this interview. Overall, to precis that for you. I support reformation. Reformation is at the very heart and core of my own values, and the values of the Democratic Unionist Party, but, I want to see valuable transformation. Renewal, and re-invigoration, not another Economic reintroduction; which fell like a led balloon, and will no doubt be the lasting and negative highlight of 2014. I hope with 2015, we will see in the year we celebrate half a decade as a region, the grand union flag fly high above the battlements of stability, prosperity, and growing influence of the United Kingdom on the world stage.
Do you believe that we as a region need an economy, and why do you do/not support it?
I will say again what I have said a thousand times. Something which no doubt has become a catchphrase of mine in the United Kingdom. I do enjoy maths, and I most certainly avoid at all costs, numbers. I try and write them out in full to try and avoid the fact they're blasted numbers! In all seriousness. I will not oppose an electoral commission trying to figure the ins and outs of a working economy. If they manage it, and we are one of the first regions on NationStates to actually have a working, simple, enjoyable economy? Then that would be great; incredible. But in my age and cynicism, I cannot help but feel it is a forlorn hope.
I would be loath to end on a sour note regarding the economy, so let me praise the continued efforts of the economic minds of our region for trying to bring us a successful economy, I am sure on some plane and in some dimension it is something which can be accomplished; I hope they find what they're looking for.
Thank you very much John, I hope I have answered your questions sufficiently.[/spoiler]
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on behalf of His Majesty, His Government and His Citizens.[hr][/hr]Respectfully, British Diplomatic Service