NationStates Jolt Archive

[OOC: Rather than use the ad-ravaged first post to get into the first RP post, I'll use it to set up the background.

What I'm planning to RP here is a fracture in my nation's lone semi-serious right wing political party. What happens is a young Senator first approaches the party's unofficial leader about increasing the party's inclusiveness. When he gets rebuffed harshly, the young Senator berates this party leader on the Senate floor, giving a fiery speech about the themes he talked about in the private meeting.

Long story short, he announces he's leaving the party and forming a new party that will still be right wing, but less extreme (in the eyes of Sarzonians, that is). Disaffected members of the leader's party jump ship to join the new party, while independents and Moderates who would have been members of the original right wing party but were put off by it join the new party.

Then, another party that is even more extreme than the first right wing party sues to block the new party's name. When a judge rejects the suit, the extreme party renames itself.

If you'd like in on this RP, possibly to voice support for the new party or to comment on the effects the new party's formation will do to the Sarzonian political scene, please TG me unless I've already discussed this with you via MSN (and the two people whom I have discussed this with know who they are). Others who don't need to TG me to request involvement are Isselmere and Praetonia.]

As Endymion Sen. Chris Norman settled into his office following a lengthy trip on the Woodstock Metro, he read a press release that had been left on his desk by his secretary.

"Senator Brian Delgado (Conservative-Cooke) blasts marriage proposal," the headline read. As Norman continued to read, he saw that Delgado was quoted as daring a local politician to leave the Conservative Party if she disagreed with him.

That's just wrong, Norman thought as he read the comments. He turned absent-mindedly toward the television playing in the suite outside his office. He saw Delgado speaking at a press conference.

"There's no room in the Conservative Party for that kind of thinking," Delgado said with a look on his face that could almost be described as a sneer. "We need to present a united front if we want a realistic chance of challenging the lefties in Parliament."

Even though the 47-year-old Norman was a newcomer to Woodstock, he was no stranger to the political scene. He'd won two terms in a district that was notoriously unfriendly to the Conservative Party. He even soundly defeated a popular Progressive Party candidate for the governor's mansion. For him, success was not about polarising the voter base. It was about finding common ground, negotiating, compromising where necessary, and knowing which principles to stand firm upon.

He loved the ideals espoused long ago in the early days of the Conservative Party, back when the Conservative Party had its greatest strength in Parliament. Less government? Check. Strong national defence? Check. Strong free market system? Bingo. However, he hated seeing what his party became.

Instead of a party that considered the views of its various wings and strove to create platforms that would coalesce into a strong whole, it increasingly sought to isolate dissenting views. Not coincidentally, the party adopted that tact more strongly when Delgado gained increasing strength in the Senate.

Norman didn't want to leave the Conservative Party. And why would he? He didn't agree with the Moderates or the small Centrist Party on their views more often than not. And joining either the Liberal or the Progressive Parties was out of the question. His views were anything but in step with theirs. For him, he saw only one solution: A stronger Conservative Party that realised that it was not a monolith.

He picked up his phone and called Delgado's office. His secretary picked up.

"Cindy? This is Senator Norman. Does Senator Delgado have some free time?"

"Sure," she said. "I can put you in for 1:30 this afternoon."

"Sounds good."

After returning from the gym and getting dressed, Brian Delgado was still wired from all the energy he expended. He'd needed that release after venting his spleen on the tele.

He walked into his office.

"Any important news, Cindy?"

"You've got a 1:30 appointment with Senator Norman."

"Oh? Any idea what it's about?"

"No. He didn't specify."

"That's fine," Delgado said. "Probably needs a pep talk." He picked up an apple that was sitting in a bunch on Cindy's desk and took a bite.

"Mmm, juicy. Where'd you get them?"

"The Shop 'N Save" on Isselmere."

"Nice."

By then, Norman walked in.

"Sorry, I'm early," he said, looking apologetically at the clock, which read 1:26 p.m.

"That's OK," Delgado said. "Want to see me in there?" he said, pointing to the the door to his private office behind Cindy's desk.

"Yes," Norman said. The two men then walked past Cindy. As he did, Norman nodded an acknowledgement to Cindy, who turned to look at her computer.

As he closed the door to his office, Delgado said theatrically, "so, Chris, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?"

Trying hard to hide his nerves, Norman took in a quick breath and exhaled slowly. "Senator..."

"Please, call me Brian."

"With all due respect, Senator, what I'm about to ask you requires that we maintain professionalism."

For the first time, Delgado's face creased into a look of concern.

"I don't see how being on a first name basis compromises professionalism," he said. "Unless there's something you're not telling me?"

"Actually," Norman said. This caused Delgado to raise his eyebrow slightly.

"I'm concerned about the direction you're taking with Conservative Party principles."

"What do you mean? That's what the party believes. Either you're fully on board or you're not."

"That's just it," Norman said. In a great effort to keep himself from getting too nervous to make his case, he said, "Brian. There are various wings of the other major parties. There are the extreme left wings and the more centrist blocs of the Progressive Party. The Moderates have a slightly right-leaning component along with a left-leaning one. The leaders of those parties understand the need to negotiate with all their members to create a real sense of unity. There's none of that in this party."

"So are you saying I should compromise my principles for the sake of 'party unity'? Hmm? Are you saying I should become one of those pinko lefty liberal Commies just to get a few more votes in Parliament?"

"That's not what I'm saying."

"THAT IS WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, NORMAN!" Delgado shouted. "I'm not going to budge on any of the shit you propose. Either you're fully with me or you're not. Which is it?"

Norman stood with his thoughts running through his mind. He had always fashioned himself as a Conservative through and through. He knew his constituents didn't always agree with all of his views, but he also knew he had the respect of people across the wide swath of the Sarzonian political spectrum.

"Answer me, Norman," Delgado said, his veins seeming to bulge with each word. "Are you with me or not."

"I'm afraid I'm not," Norman said, now returning Delgado's scowl with one of his own. "Not the way you're running the right wing of this country into the ground." He turned and opened the door to walk out."

"Where the fuck do you think you're going?" Delgado yelled out after Norman. He then caught Cindy's horrified look on her face as she watched Norman leave the office.

"Fuck him," Delgado muttered under his breath as Cindy turned back to her computer with a knowing expression.

Later, as the Senate convened on the main floor, Lieutenant President Nicole Lewis was actually standing to the right of Senate President Matt Carlton.

"The Conservative Senator from Endymion has the floor," Carlton said, banging his gavel with a solumn expression. As he watched Norman walk with a sombre, purposeful look on his face, he turned to Lewis with a look as if to say, "uh oh."

"Something's up," Lewis whispered. Carlton nodded his head.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, Madame Lieutenant President, distinguished guests, the Conservative Party has not done well the past few months. In the run up to the presidential election, the first in our nation's history, we had an opportunity before us to really explain conservative principles. Small government. Reduced government spending to entitlement programmes. Strong national defence. Stronger self-determination.

"However, the present leadership of the Conservative Party has demonstrated a complete unwillingness to allow discussion within the ranks. Under the guise of stronger party unity, Senator Brian Delgado has, in fact, weakened it.

"What the hell!" Delgado shouted, standing up like a bolt.

"Order!" Carlton shouted, banging his gavel. "Senator Norman has the floor!" Delgado remained standing, leering at the podium as Norman spoke.

"The conservatism that Senator Delgado practices is completely out of step with a majority of Delgates and Senators who self-identify as right-wingers or right-leaning. The conservatism that Senator Delgado espouses is one that does not permit dissention of any kind. It does not permit negotiation. In short, it does not do what political parties throughout the world do in an effort to earn votes.

"No, the direction the Conservative Party has taken under the leadership of Mr. Delgado is one that I can no longer countenance. I can no longer call myself a Conservative so long as Mr. Delgado is the face and the voice of this party. Therefore, I am announcing my intention to leave the Conservative Party."

Murmurs began interrupting and Delgado bit his tongue in an effort to keep from exploding and drawing a contempt of Parliament charge. "Order!" Carlton shouted, banging his gavel three times.

"I am, therefore, announcing that I am forming a new political party that is based on the ideals that those who have been in the Conservative Party have espoused for so long. However, unlike the current leadership of the Party, I believe that working together, rather than operating in isolation, is where a political party draws its real strength and energy. It is for that reason that I now choose to identify myself with the National Party."

"There is no national party," Carlton said.

"There is now," Norman said. He handed over a sheet of paper that he'd quickly typed and had signed and notarised, including a signature from Lewis's office, to a page, who brought the sheet of paper to Carlton.

"I see," Carlton said after reading the paper. "Very well. Let the record show that Senator Chris Norman is now a member of the new National Party."

"This is crazy!" Delgado shouted.

"Senator Norman still has the floor."

"I'm done."

"Very well. Senator Delgado?"

"I ask all of you in the Conservative Party one question. Are you with me or are you against me?" Delgado said.

Within 15 minutes, he had an answer. Not only did four of the remaining five Conservative senators vote to change their party affiliation to the National Party, but so, too did three of the 11 members of the Moderate Party and two independents. All of a sudden, the National Party now had 10 Senators. The Progressive Party still was the largest in the Senate with 14 members, but now the Moderates were in third place behind this brand new National Party.

As the media gathered around the podium as Norman began his first speech as the face of a new party, he looked out into the crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he said. "I believe in certain ideals, certain principles. I also believe in a spirit of compromise that means that we sometimes don't get exactly what we want. I believe Senator Delgado has lost sight of what politics is all about. It is for that reason I've formed the new National Party. We believe in smaller government. We believe in lower taxes. But we also believe that Sarzonia is ready for a true alternative to the left wing dominance we've had in the years since Mike Sarzo founded this country.

"We are ready for a different set of ideals, but also a new sense of civility in Parliament. I am committed to not only being a different voice at the top, but also to having an ear when it comes time to listen to new ways of doing business."

Drew Taylor, the evening broadcast’s leading anchorwoman reappeared on screen, as the images of flooded grain fields in southern Romandeos faded. Her handlers had spent the last few moments checking her makeup, handing her the current reports and double-checking the wiring on her headset. In the upper-right hand of the screen an image of the Incorporated States flag appeared set below an image of the nations Conservative Party shattered completely down the middle.

“In foreign political news,” she began. “Evidence suggests a potentially serious change in the political landscape of the Incorporated States of Sarzonia, with Senator Chris Norman of Endymion shifted loyalty in a recent meeting of Parliament to the National Party, which he himself just created. This rather sudden event follows rumors of a clash between Senator Norman and Senator Brian Delgado over an issue of party leadership policy. During a short, pointed speech before Parliament, Norman derided Delgado as being out of step with most other Senators and Delegates, unwilling to compromise, or even to negotiate policy, something Norman says is necessary for political parties around the world to obtain support. Senator Norman finished by saying he could not hold with the Conservatives so long as Delgado remained in charge of that party, and announcing the formation of the National Party.”

During this time, various images of Senators Norman and Delgado, the Parliament in general, and so forth had been displayed in the corners of the screen.

“Senator Norman was followed on by Senator Delgado, who issued a bold ‘with me or against me’ challenge to his fellow Conservatives, many of whom turned out to be against him. Within the hour the new National Party had acquired some ten Senators, putting them in second place behind the Liberal Party’s fourteen. Exactly what long-term affects this sudden power change will have remains to be seen.”

Drew paused for a moment.

“Moving to the Empire of Ixania, Empress Anastasia has…”


OOC:

I'll post more next time. This is to let you know I'm here.

Georgetown, United Kingdom

The central air-conditioning hummed quietly, interrupted only by the crisp snap of paper being folded and rolled over. Trevor Collins could do little else with his time except to occasionally glance down at his wristwatch and find another minute spent. He was seated in an olive-green chair, with an uncomfortable, straight back and a stiff cushion beneath him. He interrupted the air-conditioning once more, snapping the paper in the briefing on his lap and finding the next page.

After re-reading several more pages, the door on the far side of the room creaked open slowly. A slender brunette entered the room, squeezing between the heavy door and the post. "The Foreign Secretary will be available shortly." She smiled professionally at Collins before departing, shutting the door with a quiet click. Collins returned to his briefing papers.

Some time later, some dozen pages later, the door opened—this time a lot more quickly and with more fanfare and a greater din from beyond the soundproofed door. A heavier-set man with reddish hair pushed the door wide open. Collins immediately stood, tucking his briefing beneath his arm. "Good afternoon, Mr. Foreign Secretary," he offered his right hand to the secretary.

"And to you, Mr. Collins," Stephen McKay responded, taking Collins' hand firmly. "What can I do for you," he asked, briefly looking down at the watch on his wrist.

"The intelligence service is following a shift in Sarzonian political power." Collins watched the Foreign Secretary's eyes light up. Although an analyst for Sarzonian affairs, he had been well briefed by his colleagues, just mentioning the name of the country would be enough to ensure he had McKay's attention.

"As you are aware, Mr. Secretary, since the election of Mr. Tyler in Woodstock, we have seen the evisceration of what remained of the Sarzonian Conservative Party."

"There was a Conservative Party to start?"

Collins smiled at the insult. "A small one, sir, led by Senator Delgado, that leans more to the right than centre-right. This political identity, however, has cost them numerous votes and broad popular support. Consequently, any moderates who harboured more conservative leanings tended to express support for the political allies of Mr. Tyler."

"And now what?" McKay quipped, placing his hands on his hips.

"One of the few Conservatives remaining in the Sarzonian Senate has left the Conservative Party and founded his own, the National Party. Senator Delgado's party is all but extinguished as a political power in Woodstock; Senator Chris Norman can now be seen as the leader of conservatism in Sarzonia."

"So what? Sarzonia has always been a quivering liberal country. Nothing has changed."

"Ostensibly, no, not yet, sir. The National Party has ten senators. It is a legitimate opposition voice, and on deeply divisive issues within the de facto governing coalition Norman could become kingmaker. The concern of the RIS is current policy impacting Sarzonian affairs in such a fashion as they will impact the voting trends of the Sarzonian electorate."

"Are you saying I should concern myself with how the bloody people of Sarzonia will vote? Am I suddenly the bloody MP for Woodstock?"

Collins shook his head. "No, sir. However, we are beginning to see a more conciliatory tone and body of policies out of President Tyler than we did from President Sarzo. Tones and policies that may well benefit both our nations in areas of mutual concerns—"

"Such as?" McKay interrupted.

"Sarnia, for one. Oceanian investment in the Sarzonian economy, for two. A general warming trend in bilateral relations. And if the Government pursues an aggressive policy in Sarnia, for example, we may well see a reaction not in Avalon but rather Woodstock. And while detailed analysis at the RIS is not unanimous, we do have a general consensus that a National-led or grand coalition style government shall pursue a more aggressive and confrontational body of policies directed against the United Kingdom."

McKay grunted, before looking down at the carpeted flooring, then at the briefing documents in Collins' hands. "Are those the papers?" he asked gruffly.

"They are indeed, sir." Collins offered them to the Foreign Secretary, who took them quietly.

"While I will take this under advisement, I would not expect any significant changes to our current policies, Mr. Collins. The primary responsibility of this Government is to protect the Oceanian people. And to fulfill that responsibility we shall do whatever needs to be done. Wherever and whenever it needs to be done."

"Very well, Mr. Secretary."

McKay glanced down at his watch again. "Now, if you shall excuse me, I have a meeting with Lord Takketfels."

Collins nodded deferentially and watched the Foreign Secretary exit the room. In a quieter, more subdued fashion. Collins allowed himself a half smile.

OOC: Apologies for the brevity and lateness of this reply; terrible writer's block.

Sarzonian right-wing finds new voice
Bridget Redmond – The Daurmont Herald

WOODSTOCK, Sarzonia – Last Thursday’s Senate sitting witnessed the creation of a new political force as Sen. Chris Norman (Endymion) split from the Conservatives to form the National Party. He took with him other Conservatives disaffected with Sen. Brian Delgado’s stewardship as well as right-wing Moderates and Independents, establishing the most serious electoral threat to the Progressives in recent memory.

Delgado presided over the radicalisation of the Conservatives from classical liberalism to a narrow, moralistic neoconservatism. He publicly rebuked members who went off message and threatened to expel dissenters. The policy switch and dictatorial style ensured no alternative leader arose while restricting the party’s appeal. Unsurprisingly, these policies failed to translate into electoral success. A schism was inevitable, although its agent was unlikely.

Norman was an old-fashioned Conservative whose political career was a product of hard campaigning and consensus-building, starting with local campaigns and a turn as governor. Despite this experience, he was a newcomer to Woodstock politics, an improbable choice to gather enough support to challenge Delgado’s leadership of the right. With 10 senators now under the National Party banner, can Norman build on this success and what are the chances of Delgado’s political survival? Judging from the swiftness of Norman’s conquest of the right, the answers seem to be “yes” and “slim,” respectively.

These events would not be proper political theatre without a little controversy. The rapidity of the National Party’s recognition by the Lieutenant-President’s office begs the question of how much did Nicole Lewis and perhaps others in the Sarzonian government know about Norman’s plans.

Since her early days as a Gray House correspondent, Joelle Lambert had seen presidents and other political figures at press conferences handle crises of worldwide import and crises of confidence in various ways. Her five-plus years in Woodstock made her realise how idiosyncratic Sarzonian politics could be.

Even so, her observations of Delgado as he walked up to the podium in his first press conference after the mass defection to the National Party surprised her.

He's so ... smug. And arrogant, she thought. He looked out at the cameras with a sneer that took her by surprise. For the leader of a fractured party that lost most of its strength, he seemed too dogmatic.

"Senator," she began. "What is your reaction to Senator Norman's decision to split off from the Conservative Party and form the new National Party?"

"It's his right if he disagrees with me to form his own party," he said. "I don't see how it's going to help his cause any to fracture what's left of the Conservatives."

"Senator," another reporter began. "In his speech forming the National Party, Senator Norman described you as being out of touch with the majority of right-wingers or right-leaning Senators and Delegates. How do you answer those charges?"

"Anyone who had objections to how I did things was more than welcome to come to my office to talk," Delgado said. "Until Senator Norman himself came to my office today, that never happened. I'm disappointed and a little angry that things went down the way they did."

Lambert watched Delgado as he responded. Not only that, but she listened for his tone of voice. This was not a man giving off a vibe of righteous indignation. Rather, this was a man who was so self-important that he lost touch with his base.

"Senator," Lambert said. "The defections obviously have given the new National Party quite a starting point. What's your reaction to their sudden strength?"

"There haven't been any defections in the House yet," Delgado said. "Until that happens, they don't have any real power. We still have 25 Delegates in the House. Unless the National Party ends up with 276 Delegates, we've got nothing to worry about."

That reaction and the smug nature with which Delgado delivered his remarks drew a raised eyebrow from Lambert. She knew the real power in Parliament rested with the House of Delegates, but she also figured the chances that the Conservatives would maintain a grip on the less extreme right wingers in the House were slim.

"Senator," another reporter began. "You say no one approached you before Senator Norman did today. Yet, your reaction when Senator Norman approached you,"

"Was blown completely out of proportion," Delgado said.

"No, I don't think so," the reporter interjected.

"Are you freaking kidding me?" Delgado retorted. "You dare try to shout me down in my press conference. This is a joke. I'm done." He turned around and walked out.

"No wonder the Conservative Party fell apart," one reporter said after he heard the door slam behind Delgado.

On the way back from an abbreviated session in the House of Delegates, Speaker Del. Charles Hunter (Moderate-New Isselmere) stopped off in the House delicatessen.

"Good afternoon, sir," the man behind the counter said with a friendly smile, looking up from his glasses at Hunter, who gave a wry smile of his own.

"Hal, c'mon! You've known me for 30 years! Call me Chuck!"

"Ooooh, all right Chuck," Hal said, using a slow drawl.

"What'll it be?"

"I'll have the usual."

"One 20 centimetre honey turkey and cheddar on multigrain coming right up!"

As Hal went to work on the sandwich, Hunter looked up at the SNN scroll. He had heard there was some commotion going on in the Senate, but wasn't clear what was involved. He then saw Hal pick up the remote resting to the right of the flat screen television and increase the volume.

"Seems Delgado put his foot in it once too many," Hal said. Hunter looked around quickly, almost expecting to see Delgado pop up.

"He never comes here," Hal said.

"What have you heard about what's going on there?"

"The Conservatives have burst at the seams," Hal said, measuring out the cuts of turkey breast and layering them onto the bread. "Senator Norman said Delgado wouldn't listen to reason and formed a new political party. A bunch of people from the Conservatives split off to join this new party."

"That doesn't seem like such a big deal," Hunter said. "They're basically a major party in name only."

"Yeah, but a few independents and Moderates also defected to join this new party. The National Party is now the third largest party in the Senate."

"How do ya like that?" Hunter said incredulously.

"I'm surprised there haven't been rushes to change party affiliation in the House yet."

Hunter's expression turned serious for a moment and he looked slowly at Hal, who by now was laying the slices of white cheddar on top of the turkey. He then felt his mobile phone vibrate once, twice, thrice.

"It's coming," Hunter said, not even bothering to take his mobile phone out of his left pants pocket.

"What do you mean?"

"Party affiliation changes in the house," Hunter said. "My mobile's already blowing up." As he said it, the phone vibrated another three times. As he slid his tray toward the cash register, he said, "I'm going to have to get that sandwich to go, Hal. Sorry about this."

"No problem, Chuck," Hal said, reaching down to pick up a box for the sandwich. He tapped the keys on the cash register.

"That'll come to six dollars, 89 cents." Hunter reached in and pulled out a bill adorned with a picture of the USS Constitution in Nicksia Harbour. He glanced at the currency, aware that it was the Sarzonian $10 bill. He then handed it to Hal.

"Keep the change," he said as he collected the box with his left hand and reached into his pocket to pull out his mobile phone with his right. By the time he returned to his office, he realised he'd have maybe 20 minutes to eat his lunch before he had to return to the House floor.

When he finally arrived after the sergeant at arms called for the members to rise, he walked in with a deliberate gait.

"Please be seated. Ladies and gentlemen, I'll get right to the point," he said. "We've had 22 defections from the Conservative Party to join the new National Party. I'll put this to an electronic vote. If anyone else wishes to join the new National Party, please indicate so by pressing the corresponding button on your voting screen."

After the 10-minute period for voting ended, Hunter looked at the numbers. Sixty-seven more people defected to join the National Party, including several independents and 16 Moderates. All of a sudden, the National Party was now the third largest party in the House of Delegates.

When Hunter read the results, he looked out at the floor.

"Ladies and gentlemen, as House Speaker, it is my duty to certify these results as being valid changes of party affiliation. It is my prerogative as House Speaker to comment on this.

"These defections are an obvious indictment of the current leadership of the Conservative Party," Hunter said. "I'm not simply saying this as a Moderate. I'm saying this as a longtime observer of politics. The sort of fractures that have emerged in the Conservative Party could well have been avoided with sage leadership. Instead of remaining a third major party, the Conservative movement runs the risk of becoming an extremist faction.

"Perhaps Senate defections don't mean as much in a nation where the House of Delegates is the more powerful chambre," Hunter said. "But when enough Delegates join a new party to create a strong third party, it sends a much stronger message. We must never forget that it is we who serve the people of Sarzonia, not the other way around.

"We must take this opportunity to remember that no matter how our politics often divide us, our Sarzonian spirit unites us against common enemies or would-be enemies. It is our responsibility to know whose voice echoes the loudest in our halls of government.

"I believe Senator Delgado is paying a high price for forgetting those lessons."