NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: Thread for reference Election Results, Nationalists Win (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=422566)


--Hamptonshire City, Royal Congressional Complex, Chamber of the Royal House of Representatives--

It was the first day of the new session, new MRCs were freshly sworn in and Jules Reinard began his term as Speaker of the Royal House of Representatives. He was determined to ride the momentum of his election and NARP's success as far as he could. The first goal was the House's approval of the controversial Federal State Ministry Bill.

"The Chair recognizes the Distinguished Gentleman from Easlyn Province."

Congressman Edgar Hassan, a fellow Narpist, stood up and inserted a flash memory card into the podium.

"Mister Speaker, I would like to submit for your consideration HR-1, the Federal State Ministry Bill. This bill would adopt the language already chosen by the Royal Senate and would amend the Basic Law to establish the Federal State Ministry."

Reinard paused for a moment and looked out at the five hundred legislators before him. Most of them were friendly faces but there were some hostile faces, all the more highlighted by the introduction of this bill.

"The Chair accepts House Resolution One and places it on the Immediate Action Calander. We shall now entertain motions to amend or debate this bill."

Congressman Astor, the leader of the opposition Popular Party and the former Speaker, quickly rose from his seat and stormed to the nearest podium.

"Mister Speaker this is an outrage! House Resolution One must be brought before the Government Oversight Committee. There must be time for debate and discussion..." He was cut off by the pounding of the Speaker's gavel.

"The Chair does not recognize the Distinguished Gentleman from Portshire. He will cede the Floor or We shall be forced to take further action."

Astor, nearly enraged, continued to speak, "You would silence legitimate debate? When I was Speaker I entertained all motions from all the Parties, are you turning our Congress into a Parliament?"

Reinard stood up and pounded his fist on the table infront of him. "The Distinguished Gentleman will restrain himself. If the Distinguished Gentleman fails to comply with the Speaker's Order, he shall be fined and barred from this Chamber for a period of three days."

Astor swallowed his pride and sat down. He was never that harsh as Speaker, even when personally attacked by opposition members he allowed them the speak. He, and all the other Representatives there to witness this, realized that an era was over. The game had changed and Narp was writing all the rules.

"This House shall recess until 2 o'clock," Reinard said as he sat back down and picked up his silver gavel, "and a floor vote on HR-1 shall be held at 3.

This House is adjourned."


Federal State Ministry Bill (HR-1)
BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

WHEREAS the Royal Senate has passed Senate Resolution 443 approving the creation of the Federal State Ministry and appropriately amending the Basic Law

IT IS NECESSARY that this House approves SR-443 in its entirety.

THEREFORE this House approves SR-443 and the Federal State Ministry Amendments that unify the Defense, Foreign, Interior, Justice, and Health and Domestic Security Ministries and all the Ministries of State therein as the Federal State Ministry.

--Hamptonshire City, Royal Congression Complex, Chamber of the Royal House of Representatives--

It was 2:30 and the Chamber was a buzz in activity and deal making. Speaker Reinard had entertained only fifteen minutes for petitions to add amendments HR-1 and only five minutes of debate, four of which were taken up by Congressman Hassan.

Only five hundred Representatives were present for the session, one hundred more than is required for a Quorum. As a bill on the Immediate Action Calendar the Federal State Ministry Bill needed only a plurality of votes cast to pass. Astor and the other opposition party leaders new this and scrambled to shore up their own parties and try to pick off weaker and moderate Narpist lawmakers.

"If you side with us, I'll make sure that new Health Clinic in your district gets funding."

"You vote with me and I'll get your constituents a new regional airport."

"Back us now and you can count on my bloc for Welfare reform."

This jumble of action and deal making continued until the last possible second, stopped only by the pounding of the gavel.

"The Chair calls the House to order," Reinard bellowed out, "Will the Secretary of the House please prepare the Chamber for a Floor Vote?"

The Secretary of the House, the RHR's chief parliamentarian secured the Chamber's doors and placed the text of HR-1 on the large plasma screen above the Speaker's chair.

The Secretary rang a small bell and drew the attention of the Chamber. In her stern and firm voice she addressed the legislators, "In accordance with the Basic Law this bill shall be treated with a voice vote, pending objection of the House assembled."

Almost immediately nearly a hundred Representatives stood up and raised their right hand, most of them from the Popular Party.

"Mister Speaker," the Secretary said as she turned to face Reinard, "the House assembled has objected to the use of a voice vote. Pursuant to House Regulations I must call for a Recorded Vote."

"The Chair accedes to the recommendation of the Secretary. Members have five minutes to cast their vote."

--Five minutes later--

The Secretary kept a close eye on her timer, once it hit five minutes she shut down the electronic voting system, instantly the results appeared on her screen.

"Mister Speaker I have recorded and certifed the results."

"Madame Secretary please enter the official results into the record and announce them to the entire House."

The Secretary cleared her throat, stood up, and walked over to the center podium on the Chamber floor. The entire chamber was tense with anticipation.

"Members of the Royal House of Representatives," she continued, "the Federal State Ministry Bill, House Resolution One, has passed this Chamber at this time with three hundred and nineteen Yeas, one hundred and sixty two Nays, nineteen members voting Present, and one hundred and fifty members Absent."

--Obsidia, Royal Senate Complex, Office of the President of the Royal Congress--

Senator Bernard Allenby and Prime Minister Chester Olendorf, two long time friends and political allies, celebrated the passage of the Federal State Ministry Bill. The Prime Minister poured himself a glass of fine scotch while Allenby, a life long teatotaler, drank from a bottle of mineral water.

"It's a fine day Bern, a fine day for all of us."

"That it is," Allenby responded with a beaming smile, a rarity, "now we have to move forward. I've been talking with several associates. I believe the time is right for a full shakeup of the Senior Cabinet."

Olendorf was a shocked, he knew nothing of any plans to shuffle the Senior Cabinet. He assumed that as Prime Minister he would have some input or at least the courtesy of being told that the Cabinet may dissolve.

"And when were you going to tell me?" He asked.

"I'm telling you right now, that was my plan. I didn't tell you before because you would have fought this."

"I would only fight something I didn't think proper for the Grand Duchy..." he paused, "What exactly are you planning? Who is going to be the Federal State Minister?"

Allenby took a drink of the cold mineral water, without looking at the Prime Minister he anwered him, "That will be left up to the Royal Senate. I didn't tell you about the reorganization because, well, to be blunt you're part of it."

Olendorf was floored by this sudden revelation. "WHAT THE HELL?" he bellowed, "I'm part of the reorganization?! You're removing me as Prime Minister?!?!"

"No," Allenby said calmly, "you are going to resign as Prime Minister. Health reasons."

"You honestly expect me to resign? How can you think for God damned second that I will resign, especially after what you've just done to me?"

"You will resign because you have no choice." Allenby's voice grew increasingly more forceful and cold, "You either resign now, at the height of popularity, and with most of your party powers intact or you try to fight. If you fight you will lose. When you lose you will be destroyed."

The now enraged Prime Minister paced the large office room, "Are you threatening me? I've lead us to a HUGE victory in the House and now you're simply giving me the boot? No. NO!"

"I will only say this one last time, Chester. You will resign. You are going to quietly fade away. One way or another." By now Allenby's voice was bitterly cold and his eyes had a crazed, wild look as if he was ready to kill Olendorf at that very moment.

The Prime Minister realized the hopelessness of his situation. He couldn't fight, his hands were too dirty, too stained with past evils. His time had come.

"Alright," he said with a sigh, "I'll resign. You'll see it on the mid-morning news shows tomorrow."

Allenby's face suddenly lit up, his broad smile returned. "Excellent!" He exclaimed, "Now...do you want more scotch?"

Official Press Release
Office of the Prime Minister


My Fellow Hamptonians, the time has come for me to tender my resignation from the Office of Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Hamptonshire. After careful consideration and consultation with friends, associates, and my personal medical staff I have come to the conclusion that I am no longer able to fully exercise the Powers and Authority of this Office. I am therefore forced to resign, for the good of the Grand Duchy.

I do not make this decision lightly or in haste. I have served this great nation for eight years and it was my desire to remain as Prime Minister for as long as I held the confidence of the Royal Senate. Eternal Providence, however, has seen it fit to recall my from my current duties. Hamptonshire requires, and deserves, a Co-Head of Government that can vigorously serve all Citizens of the Realm. I am no longer able to do that.

I have sent the following letter to Senator Allenby, the President of the Royal Congress. My resignation is effective immediately. Until such a time as the Royal Senate appoints a new Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister Daniel Pederson will faithfully serve as Acting Prime Minister.

Thank you and May God Bless the Grand Duchy of Hamptonshire.


Dear Mr. President:


I hereby resign the Office of Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Hamptonshire.


Sincerely,
Chester Olendorf


The Honorable Bernard Charles Allenby, Jr.
President of the Royal Congress
Obsidia, Capital Cities District

Sarzo was sitting down at his desk in the Gray House watching television when his secretary, Becky Davis, brought in a copy of the press release announcing Olendorf's resignation.

"Strange," Sarzo said.

"Seems like a lot of strange stuff has happened over there since you became the Duke of Portshire," Davis said.

"NURP gives me the creeps," Sarzo said.

"I don't blame you," Davis replied. "I don't think nationalist movements are anything but trouble."

I don't blame you, Sarzo thought. He sorted through his notes. Just then, Nicole Lewis, just recently promoted to Lieutenant President, was standing in front of Sarzo's desk.

"Sorry, I forgot to knock," Lewis said.

"That's okay Nicole," Sarzo said. "I was just going to ask you to stop by."

"What's up?"

"Read this," Sarzo said. "I think I'm going to be making a trip before long."

"What? Olendorf resigned?"

"That's got Allenby written all over it."

"Or Ziller."

"Ziller's the foreign minister. That's not his ballgame."

"You're right. Wait, what about all that legislation that's due out of Parliament?"

"You can sign it, remember? Article XIX."

"Oh, right."

"I'd better get ready to go."

"Good luck, Mike."

Two hours later, with an aide holding one suitcase and First Partner Jay Tyler holding the other, Sarzo ascended the steps to Sarzonia One and the jet taxied down the runway toward Hamptonshire's -- and Sarzonia's -- new future.

--Addelton House, Official Residence of the President of the Royal Congress, Hamptonshire City--

A dark ghostly figure stood in the corner of the study, Senator Allenby walked toward the man. He knew who the figure was, he dealt with him many times before. He was simply known as 'Mister Saunders', it wasn't his real identity just the shell he assumed when it suited him. He was a true phantom, there were no government records of him...anywhere. For all intents and purposes he did not exist.

Mister Saunders put a cigarette to its lips and drew in a deep drag. In an almost artificial voice, he spoke to Allenby "It's done and no one will know the difference."

Allenby laughed at the news, "You did well Mister Saunders. You have yet to fail me."

Saunders seemed to float as he moved across the room toward the door. As he left he bid Allenby farewell, "I never fail, Senator...or should I say Regent..."

Outside Breningrad, Republic of West Oceania

For Alistair Tetley nothing felt as good as the wind and the sun evaporating sweat from the brow, from the arms, and from the legs. Nothing felt as good as soft earth padding each blow as both feet slammed into the ground in a constant fast tempo. Nothing felt as good as a run around his mountaintop villa outside Breningrad, where one could still enjoy the increasingly rare trees, dirt, and the rest of the ever urbanized nature. As his breath came in short but strong breaths, he reflected on the fortuity of having such a nice day off during the short recess from Parliament.

Not in session for the week, Tetley had skipped Imperium and headed to his favourite retreat, his old home when a member of the private citizen’s world. A world all but forgotten to the forty-two year old prime minister. As he ran out of the small cluster of hardwood trees the picturesque sight of the Breningrad metropolis and the welcoming estuary that lay between the mountains he ran on and the hills on the far side of the body of water came into view. Compelled to stop to take in the beauty he found an outcropping of rocks and sat down, wiping the remaining sweat from his forehead with a cotton rag he carried around.

“Sir,” Tetley turned around to see his briefing summary officer, and growing friend, Thomas Blaine holding a small manila folder.

“Can’t you see I’m in the middle of something, Thomas?” Tetley cried out in excessively fake anguish. “Something truly important, Thomas… But, I suppose I can make time for these trivialities you incessantly bring about these parts.”

“Indeed, sir.” Blaine handed his friend the folder and waited for him to open it after drying off his hands.

“I hope you made copies of these?”

“Of course, sir.”

“Excellent, so what is all this?”

“The elections in Hamptonshire, sir. Ms. Deveraux decided you needed to take a look at the recently passed legislation and domestic politics and she faxed these over from Imperium.”

“What in the bloody hell is she doing in that god-awful city?” Tetley interrupted, “Doesn’t she know we’re on recess?”

“I can’t say, sir. However, the fact remains that having won the election, the nationalist party now in charge of the Hamptonshire legislature passed a bill to grant extensive powers to a quote ‘Federal State Ministry.’”

“What kind of powers are we talking about Thomas?”

“Consolidation of defence, foreign, interior, justice… and a few others I cannot recall offhand, sir.”

“Bloody hell…” Tetley muttered, “why not just consolidate all the ministries into one.” He looked up at Blaine and away from the papers. “I tell you Thomas, a bloody brilliant scheme if you ask me. Get all the important portfolios under one of my most trusted officials and I’d have myself the ability to do whatever the bloody hell I wanted.”

“Too bad that Mr. Collins would have something to say about it.”

”Daniel’s merely a pompous bag of wind, Thomas. The whole Conservative Party is his fanclub. It’s like… what’s his name with dogs? I’m getting too old if I can’t remember these little things.”

“Pavlov?”

“Thank you, Thomas, Pavlov indeed. That’s the whole Conservative Party. Dogs to his bell.” Tetley sighed and pulled himself up, his legs beginning to ache in the invigorating pain of training. “Did Emily say what she wanted me to do, by chance?”

“No, sir. She just wanted to keep you apprised of the situation.”

The two meandered back into the house, enjoying the brightly coloured sails of the pleasure boats out in the estuary. “Well, I will I suppose, Thomas.” Tetley finally continued. “But quite frankly, it’s none of our business. Hamptonshire can do whatever the bloody hell it pleases so long as it doesn’t involve us.”

“So you’re not going to make a statement, sir?”

“No, no no no.” Tetley shook his head. “It concerns me, yes. The consolidation of power into one man’s hands is always potentially problematic. I’m sure you’re aware of the old maxim?”

“Which one is that, sir?”

Tetley smiled. “Power corrupts, Thomas. And absolute power… well… suffice to say it’s not good for democracy. So let Emily know I want her to keep an eye on this, we’ll wait to see what Hamptonshire’s other allies have to say before I officially chime in.”

“Excellent, sir. Anything else?”

Tetley shook his head, allowing Blaine to leave the marble-tiled foyer. As his footsteps echoed down the long hall to the communications office Tetley snapped his head up. “Actually Thomas…”

“Yes, sir?” came a distant shout from the hallway.

“A cup of tea, that raspberry blend I like. Have the kitchen set up a pot if you please.”

OOC: The Last Leaf Falls (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=425068). That thread is related to the goings on in this thread...you can postulate as to the exact connections for yourselves ;)

Nearly on the other side of the planet, a postcard had been carefully split, its contents read - then played.

The analyst - one of nearly two dozen assigned to "The Hamptonshire Situation" - listened repeatedly to the "behind closed doors" goings on... and a light sweat creased his brow.

Documents passed at lightspeed to the masters of this end of the game; still, they waited.

There was only one new order - a 'request' for more active reports from Sarzonia.

And somewhere in the great game, a pawn was moved timorously into the battlefield....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v114/hamptonshire/coalition.jpg
Nationalistisk Republikaner Folkeparti - New Frontier Union
We are the majority, We are the people, We shall not be silenced


Press Release


Earlier today the Executive Committee of the New Frontier Party voted unanimously to dissolve the "Unity Coalition" with the Central Party. During our ten years of union with that organization, we have seen our party reduced from the second largest political union in the Grand Duchy to the smallest national party. This precipitous decline has been the direct result of the general incompetence and inaction of the leaders of our former partners, the Central Party.

We, the leadership of New Frontier, came to realize that the only way to secure a better future of Hamptonshire's downtrodden and outcast was to cease to lay in the shadow of the anemic Unity Coalition. We have tried for the past decade to bring about radical and necessary change through subtle and gradual legislation and reform. We have failed. It is with that in mind that We, the leadership of the New Frontier, have decided to take our party upon a new path.

Shortly after I handed Senator Henry Flint, the leader of the Central Party, our party's notice of the Coalition's dissolution I contacted the Executive Board of the Nationalistisk Republikaner Folkeparti. Within two hours we came to an agreement. Our agreement is not one that solely benefits New Frontier or NARP. It doesn't benefit the leadership of the parties and it doesn't help the large special interest groups that are seemingly gaining more and more power each and every day. No, it benefits all Hamptonians.

The Nationalistisk Republikaner Folkeparti - New Frontier Union will bring about the change that is absolutely necessary should we wish to advance our entire society into the next age. A true Left-Right political alliance, one that spans the political spectrum, is the only force that can hope to bring permanent and meaningful change to our political system.

Together with Henri Loucet, Executive Chairman of the Nationalistisk Republikaner Folkeparti, I have made it a priority to enact such measures that are necessary to bring about the fundamental change that is so necessary. With our new found allies and their dedication to a new birth of Hamptonian Glory, the long-forgotten lower classes of the Grand Duchy shall once again have occasion to be hopeful.


We are the majority, We are the people, We shall not be silenced


For the Glory of Hamptonshire and the People,

Governor Normal Koines
Chairman, New Frontier Party
Deputy Secretary-General, Nationalistisk Republikaner Folkeparti - New Frontier Union
Grand Duchy of Hamptonshire