Join the new world

Statement by Lijst Pierre Delvaux Party President Pierre Delvaux



Introduction

According to the wishes of the members of the LPD, I have decided to run for CP for a second time, following on from my record breaking run of two terms ago.

Why run? Well, the cynical response would be that I'm engaging in a pathetic effort to raise the profile of my party, and to feed my enormous ego; there may even be some truth in that view.

However, I truly believe we need change in our nation. Rising has brought nothing but ruin to the New World; even the bloodthirsty declare wars 'boring'; the economy is in a mess (God help anyone trying to operate a small business at present); and citizens are dying and leaving the game.

In short, we're in big trouble. Yet much (with noble, yet frequently powerless exceptions) of our ingrained political, business and military elite, captained by the far-right, self-promotingly authoritarian Iron And Wine, continue to fiddle whilst Rome burns; I cannot in good conscience allow the Fascist (cf, V Putin) leaning Garmr to steam towards a second term without saying my piece. If we're not careful, apathy will soon turn into unrest; there are extreme elements on the international scene that would be happy to provoke a revolution here; let's make sure it doesn't come to it. For a while I thought I would be his only opponent, but, thankfully, Tonie112 has since stepped into the breach.

Statement of Principles

What we need is centrism; radical centrism, that will challenge our beliefs, and help our nation become great again. This philosophy is nakedly non-ideological, and suspicious of party politics. LPD is the home of RC in the eUNL; I have developed a platform based on our principles.

First things first, I'm committed to the parliamentary focused system of governance. There's dark mutterings of impending moves to return to the presidential model; that won't be part of my agenda. The parliamentary system allows for a variety of voices to be heard, and helps create a more balanced Cabinet; power grabs by the CP undermine this positive structure. I see the CP as being a moral leader, who can provide guidance to the population at large. The difficulties experienced in the aftermath of the recent Congressional elections haven't changed my opinions on this matter.


Manifesto

1. I'm interested in a different sort of babyboom; I only want a 1% increase in population, one that targets the best and brightest.

My primary idea for the new term is to pilot the establishment of an Institute for the Research of the Society, Politics and Economy of the New World (IRSPENW). Based in a regenerated Southern Netherlands, it'll attract the finest intellectuals of the New World by offering free housing, food, and generous bursaries from the state coffers. They will be charged with producing pioneering insights into the eWorld around us, in order to provide solutions for our seemingly intractable problems. The IRSPENW will become a beacon of hope to all citizens, and raise the profile of the eUNL internationally. In time, we'll become the natural destination for all the leading lights, and we'll be all the better for their input.

I'll use the analysis produced by this process as the basis for the organisation of a Global Summit on the Future of The New World (GSFNW). Taking place in game, on forums, and IRC, the GSFNW will be a gathering of heads and state and other influentials, intended to be similar to the RL Tällberg Forum. I will attempt, along with my fellow leaders, to foster an extra-military means of ordering international relations.

I believe that the development of a co-operative system of globalisation would be the most advantageous way to create a peaceful and equitable global order in V2. The imposition of severe barriers to entry and a more general philosophy of protectionism has been understandable up to this point, but, in my view, this has led to conflict and imperialism. A pragmatic recognition of the implicit interconnectedness of all our nations will create general prosperity; a world parliament may be in order.
The GSFNW will ideally be held once a quarter, and will become a key event in the calendar of all active players.
The eUNL has distinguished itself in military relations; let's see if we can do the same around the political table.

2. The IRSPENW and GSFNW will be funded by a reduction in military expenditure. I've been criticised in the past for referring to the army as "a throwback, Edwardian era, private hunting club for Mitch Rapp and friends", but I've mellowed somewhat.

That said, I view the problems posed by the mechanics of rising as an opportunity, rather than a threat. If elected, I will resume my previously stated desire to appoint an Emissary of State, with direct responsibility for developing non-binding relations with the Entente Cordiale. The Emissary, operating in concert with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will be charged with determining the viability of expanding this anti-imperialistic alliance to include new nations, with the objective of the eUNL seeking associate member status, should the population and Congress prove amenable. I would not seek to damage relations with Phoenix; I'm sure its leaders would understand the need for us to consider our options, in the rapidly changing situation.

3. I will seek to reform UNLIN, the secretive, opaque intelligence agency. UNLIN needs to be redefined; such inefficiently operated parallel institutions create a democratic deficit, and manufacture mistrust between the elites and the general citizenry. As President, I will encourage Congress to revive the LSD proposal for a Security Council for Immigrants; such a Council would need to issue in-game reports on its operations, justify its decisions in public, and be run by more than one individual, to prevent potential conflicts of interest from occurring. Being run along cross-party lines, and including apolitical representatives on its Board of Management, would grant our intelligence operations a renewed sense of legitimacy.

4. I will encourage the normalisation of relations with the CPNL. I was disappointed to witness the failure of the leftists to become part of the impending coalition government; Jos and co. have made great strides of late; in particular by putting their money where their mouths are, and establishing communes. These new groupings provide an interesting alternative to prevailing ideas and ideologies; it would be great to see them represented at the state level.

Conclusion

I know that I'm unlikely to win, but I hope that I can garner votes from my erstwhile comrades in LSD and CPNL, as well as pick up IP members who don't want to support a 'joke' candidate. I'm doing my bit to help save my country; come and join me.

Best regards,
Pierre Delvaux
Party President
Lijst Pierre Delvaux