An interview with... Dr Hugh Jardon!

Day 1,790, 11:10 • Published in United Kingdom Canada • by Claire Louise




I know "Dr Hugh" in real life - he's honestly the nicest, most caring and gentle bloke I know - shocking right? I have a huge soft spot for this guy, he's my rock. So, after many giggles lately over all the sh!t he's been getting and causing, I decided to get down and dirty (not for the first time, I might add) and interview him. This is what he has to say.




So, who is the real Dr Hugh Jardon?

Well I am a normal, average guy to be honest. I use this game as it says on the tin...as a game. I do feel a little moved to act at times when I see people blatantly abuse power. I worked for the Labour Party in the Tony Blair years so have experienced real life politics, and this is why I have no real desire to play politics in a game. I was branch membership secretary for Cannock Chase as well as serving the district, constituency and branch Labour party and I actually stood as a local candidate for Labour in a fiercely independent area but I lost by 23 votes. I actually made the front page of my local newspaper when I resigned from the Labour party...and I still have the copies (vanity thy name is Hugh). I am also a former season ticket holder at Old Trafford and Manchester United has been a passion of my life since 1979. My crowning glory would have to be calling for Sir Alex Ferguson's sacking in early 1990 amongst hundreds others at an away game vs Spurs...yeah I know.



What’s your most prized possession in life?

Hmmm...My Manchester United signed shirt signed by the United 2008 Champions League winning team and two matchday programmes I have from 1958. The last home game before the Munich Air crash and the famous first home game vs Sheffield Wednesday with a blank team sheet. All three are mounted on my living room walls with pride.
(I did, at this point, ask him his opinion on United's midfield. Seems he didn't have the strength to get into a rant about it...)



Are you really a Doctor?

Yes.

Well no but if you have a police complaint aimed at you for performing a gynaecological examination in the back of a van whilst wearing a butcher’s overalls...then you have to wing it.




OK, let’s get a little serious here... Why are you on such a power trip?

Lmao, well that’s twice I have been accused of that today, first by Ergo and then by Talon. I think it is a classic tactic of laying down an accusation then not following it up with facts and both like to believe that politics in eRepublik is real life. Anyways, well I have only ran for Congress twice, I have never sought a Government position because I have a hectic real life looking after three children with autism as well as work etc, so time can be limited. I own a MU which I handed over to a real life friend (that’s me!) so she can experience running a Military Unit...so yes...I am clearly on a power trip because I have voiced an opinion.



You've been accused of being anti-TUP, is this true?

No, on my children’s lives I am not. I have defended TUP when they received criticism for choosing Magic Heroes and I will always give praise where it is due. Sadly though the facts are TUP have the most Congress members, the last two Presidents and the forum mods who cause the most controversy...so when they make bad decisions are we not allowed to call them out on it? Are ESO, New Era, UKPP and others the only parties where criticism is allowed? My experience is it is the other way around. In the past I have had complaints made about myself leaking sensitive information. I approached a few TUP moderators for help and was ignored despite showing proof of my innocence. I later learned it was a TUP mod who complained despite the fact that I was just using information used by a TUP PP in an election message...and I was still informed I was lucky I wasn't banned and should apologise for making a scene by two TUP members.

So no, I have no issue with TUP but I can't say that works both ways.



Why did you join New Era?

I joined New Era because in these guys and gals I see a party that can and will change the way the eUK operates in this game. At the moment everything is based around a close group who operate in IRC and moderate the eUK forums in a way that has drawn much criticism. We need to realise that draconian moderating is just turning people away from our forums which in turn leads to inactivity by players. A good moderator rarely uses his/her moderating powers but sadly a few do like to hand out infractions like there is no tomorrow...that and they must enjoy seeing coloured writing.
In New Era we can bring this community back to the people as a whole who play this game no matter what party they represent, no matter what their views and opinions. New Era is exactly that for the friendly warm people who do play and enjoy this game - a New Dawn and a New Era.



What do you wish to accomplish on eRepublik?

Absolutely nothing. I would like to see the brilliant players in the community reclaim their game back from the minority but as I already said I have no ambitions or plans for power in this game. As anyone in our MU will tell you I always say it's their game and I would never impose my will over them, deny them their voice or lay down rules and regulations that are contrary to the rules set out in this game.
I'm also not one of those people who you see talk down your opinion because they have played longer/dealt more damage/worked in Government etc; that is a form of snobbery that I believe has made players leave the game.



Is there anything else you wanted to talk about or address?

I do not wear dresses so have no opinion on the subject.




And that's Dr Hugh, short and sweet! On behalf of both myself and Hugh, cheers for reading 😉


Klurr
Commander of the RAF
Press Director of The Cupcake Times
Member of New Era



Ta much 😉