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Citizens!

It is election day and the eUK will be voting for a President. The Candidates are Militarista and Huey George. I contacted them both asking if they’d be interested in answering some questions in a debate format, and naturally they obliged!

You can read their presidential statements here : Militarista - Huey George.

As always we like to see a high turnout so get out there and vote! Be sure to check out the Home Office paper for any giveaways, and feel more than free to discuss the themes in this article or voice any thoughts in the comments section.

Hopefully what follows offers some useful insight into our candidates thoughts and aspirations, I hope you enjoy.

The Questions

Each Candidate was sent five questions, followed by a further two questions informed by their responses. The opening questions were:

1. What do you think is working well in the eUK right now?

2. What do you think the biggest area of improvement is, and how do you plan to address it?

3. What do you think is the best quality in the other candidate?

4. If you were in charge, what is your vision for the eUK in 6 months time?

5. What was your New Year's resolution?


The Answers

Militarista

1 - I think the eUK is a country of potential. Compared to other squares of the eWorld it has (still) an active community, that is a treasure. This treasure, often, indulges in internal feuds despite collaboration. This energy only needs to be better convoyed. We have no doubts on the battlefield where to stand, why do we forget this attitude when we come back from the front? We just need to shift the perspective. We should restart from here.

2 - I might have “spoilered” my answer a bit. I believe the social fabric of this Country can be repaired. In a way, the two campaigns here debated have tried to show that: a different style in politics - based on mutual respect, institutional sense and collaboration - is indeed possible. I hope this can be a fresh start in the relationships we share. The real World is already too dire, let's not re-create a toxic environment here! The Civil War we are seeing in Parliament threads is utterly no more acceptable. We owe it to the public.

3 - I have no problem in recognising he has many. Being President 42 times in an unbeatable curriculum of expertise and reliability. Huey George is one of the cornerstones of our community. Saying that, about a political competitor, should not sound revolutionary. I admire him and I hope we will have the chance to work together in future, whatever the result will be.

4 - My only “advantage”, in this race, is that I am not (yet) part of a legendary political establishment: I have no ties nor history, and nothing to lose. I hope my platform will pave the way to a foreseeable depolarization and that by June the eUK will be a safe space to play the Political Module. I reckon I may be perceived as pretentious, and I apologise in advance for that; but we can fix it together. The process is already in place, this interview partly proves it.

5 - Actually, it was to travel more. I will end up chained to my desk this year, I fear. At least, I have plenty of Q5 tickets in the Storage!

Huey George

1 - Successful air and ground player support schemes for 150 and 59 weeks, respectively alongside a scattering of other player support schemes starting to develop long consistent records of delivery. We are conducting 15 training wars and hold fairly regular epic training war exercises. Our Airforce and Ground Forces are the strongest they have ever been. For a country of our size the UK is in excellent financial health. We use our extra revenue to generate further funds from the monetary market. We can afford and run an array of player support schemes which promote rank growth, retain players and keep players engaged. We’ve long enhanced weapons productivity in Scotland by extending invitations to and hosting a nation offering a 200% weapons bonus to the region. Our citizens have been supported to participate more actively in weekly challenges and events while having fun which remains the aim of the game. We are a well-respected country and training war partner. There is a long list of countries who would very much like to visit the UK for a training war. We have a diversity of viewpoints reflecting the diversity of playstyles we have in the UK. We somewhat are our own “biggest enemy” through internal division showing "the things are well from an external threat point of view" how much we are in control of our own destiny! If we can find it within ourselves to continue to grasp our own destiny!

2 - We need to learn how to take accountability for our own actions, constructively disagree, politely debate issues and find common ground again. Understanding that the UK requires time and patience to heal, I commit to being a compassionate and patient leader. I will not seek quick fixes that may not garner unanimous support, my approach will remain one of thoughtful consideration and collaboration. Regardless of the election outcome, I am open to working with my opponent, as he has presented well-thought-out ideas that warrant attention

I do feel this isn’t a country president issue alone, it’s a community issue with some deep rooted feelings. We all need to take time to reflect and reconcile differences.

3 - Militarista come across as affable, positive and expressed an interest to “give back” to the UK after our warm welcome to his arrival here, these are fantastic qualities in a potential country president. It’s lovely to see this in opposing candidates.

4 - In six months, My vision of our nation is to continue to be a thriving and cohesive community where citizens focus and flourish in both military and aircraft rank, achieving overall success. I aim for a government that is not only open, transparent, and accountable but actively fosters individual freedom and ensures social equality for every citizen. When we disagree as a community these disagreements will hopefully cut less deep and common ground will be easier to find.

5 - I don’t do New Year’s resolutions, change can be initiated anytime, you only need to take the first step. \o/


THE FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS

Following these answers some follow up questions were sent, tailored to each candidate. Militarista was asked about community and widening participation, and Huey’s questions focused on the idea of social cohesion and transparency.

Militarista

1. You have noted the eUK's active community as an asset - how do you think the office of President can encourage that activity (if you think that it should)?

A - Being considered a resource for my Country - and more, for a Country I only recently arrived - makes me really proud. I believe every citizen should dream and be given a spot to apply for the highest office, which boosts the game experience. Thinking of past experiences, though, I have to admit this alone is often not enough. Enthusiasm alone is not enough, and I am clear in including in the equation of this campaign my limits. I believe in teamwork and that’s the “secret” of everything that from the outside looks like a miracle machine. As CP I would focus on the agenda, delegate between what others can do better and myself, and in general try to enhance personal talents. My cabinet would be always open to contributions, no matter the party they come from!

2. As you've identified community spirit as a strength of the eUK, what strategies can you identify to widen participation in the community and politics to more players?

A - Let me clarify: in a way, it is at the same time both the strength and part of the problem, if we let it decay into sectarianism. As the name goes, we should embrace the wider community, not its bubbles. I believe Politics will regain attractiveness when it will no longer be seen as a “Fight Club”, or a shady chamber. We should let fresh air enter, promote new citizens to Congress without penalising them when the lists for the Parliamentary elections are compiled. My personal promise is that I would never reply to direct attacks if not with constructive comments, the whole point of our communication would be to avoid verbal escalation. I believe we are starting to witness some results. Congress, by its nature, tends to split into factions: my government would try to engage with them from a non-partisan basis and stimulate cross-party proposals. The second he or she enters in function, the CP ceases to be a party candidate: he and she represents and serves the whole community. I see this spirit in my competitor, too.


Huey George

1. Social cohesion has been mentioned a few times in your campaign - what tangible actions would you take to promote cohesion?

A - I will promote social cohesion through a positive and collaborative approach, steering clear of negativity and fostering constructive dialogue. My actions will extend to avoiding the escalations of divisions from my contributions, updates, and requests. When forming a government, I aim to engage in a non-partisan way, considering proposals from all parties and individual Congressional members. My overarching goal is to represent and serve our entire community and a stable and harmonious society where individuals feel a sense of solidarity and mutual support.

2. Transparency has been listed as one of the things you want to see characterising the eUK in six months time. Do you sympathise with the reasons various players currently feel transparency is not being prioritised?

A - I will always aim to empathise with players who are not happy here in the UK. This is after all a web-browser we come to escape the pressures of real-life and have fun in. The reasons for players feeling transparency is not prioritised do seem to vary, so generalisations should be out of the question. However, I take pride in my longstanding commitment to transparency and intend to raise the bar further. My goal is to work collaboratively, finding a common ground that is mutually agreeable and sustainable for all players.


The Verdict

Both candidates strike a positive tone with Huey focussing on the smooth running of eRep’s ‘business as usual’ functions and Militarista orientating his answers around the positive impact the Presidency could have on the eUK’s current divisions.

The different experiences of eRep and the eUK come through in their answers, with both providing relatable snippets to inform their views. Militarista’s boots on the ground perspective feels tonally different from Huey’s more periphrastic sense of the eUK’s condition. Thankfully though it seems probable they will be in one anothers cabinet, so the best of both worlds will be present in either possible Governments. Both acknowledge the fraying of the eUK’s social fabric but it seems fair to say there are different ideals around how the Presidency should navigate social turbulence, and different ideas as to what leadership looks like in respect of those challenges.

My thanks goes to the candidates for taking the time to respond, hopefully this has given a little bit of insight into how they tick!

Happy voting,
Mr Woldy