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bowen199: So when did you start playing erepublik?
Johnobrow: Malta's last day in office. I was invited by who was then called Orlandini, at least I think that's what he called himself back then. He goes by the name OogieBoogie now. I think I'm right in saying that he was introduced by Heymans which in a sick twist of fate sort of means I'm Heyman's egrandchild, though hopefully I've made a dreadful mistake and he is not.

bowen199: Can you give a brief account of your eRepublik life?
Johnobrow: I spawned in the South West as that is where I am from IRL. I soon realised that a Q5 region is the place to be and so moved to Northern Ireland. I then again moved to Scotland not much later in order to run for congress. That was my first election, at just 20 days old I won a seat by a fair margin. The first major event I remember in my elife was the Swedo-German war. I wrote some epic articles back then campaigning for eUK military support for Germany against blatant imperialism. As well as articles I tried to make a difference in the Commons, but my words fell on death ears largely. I think I might have been getting through to some by the time PEACE intervened, but of course that made British involvement rather futile.
I got elected to congress again, this period is dominated by debate concerning foreign policy and alliances. I originally favoured Fortis though not overly so, I had some reservations but it appeared to be the best option. However, negotiations with the USA rather fell apart and I'm not disappointed that they did, after that it was quite a simple process of closer ties with Hungary and then PEACE membership. Both of which I was against and voted accordingly. My position was that the eUK should remain neutral, though I did accept that would be far from easy.

I was always very active in the PCP right from early on, I particularly remember discussions around CP candidates which is something the party has always taken very seriously. After the Hungarian occupation of Scotland, I moved to the East Midlands and was elected to congress for the third consecutive month. The things that stand out from that period for me are the food nationalisation debate and the occupation of Canada. RWs must have happened during that term. I was always against UK involvement in the war in Canada incidentally. Oh and I was ambassador to North Korea around this time. A pretty boring job mainly which mainly consisted of being insulted by NKan trolls bit fun none the less.

I took a few weeks out at the end of August. In September I was lucky enough to be chosen by popular vote to succeed the great comrade Stan as Party President of the PCP. I had ran once before in July for the PP position, I'm glad I lost however marginally. As PP my goal has been commune expansion, communism in action. The PCP is about getting things done and actually making a difference rather than the hot air you find in congress. I've also recently been elected once again to congress back home in Scotland, thank you Scots. Other than that I've worked with communists internationally and helped a bit in the establishment of the new Internationale.

bowen199: How has erepublik community changed since you started playing?
Johnobrow: You see things differently the longer you've been playing. A noob doesn't see the eUK in the same way as an old timer. The country is different though certainly from where I'm standing. Maybe I'm remembering it falsely but the eUK used to be a friendlier place, seems to be more hostile, now or up until recently at least.

bowen199: Why did you join the People’s Communist Party?
Johnobrow: That's an easy question to answer. I am guilty in that common erepublik mistake of aligning oneself with the party that most reflects your real life political beliefs. My political ideals are more "extreme" now than they were, but even then PCP was closest to my way of thinking. Subsequently, I have come to see that socialism really is what is best for enations regardless of real life rubbish. It was also very easy to join PCP, what with it's welcoming atmosphere and friendly environment you felt at home immediately. Once I was in, there was no chance of getting rid of me.

bowen199: What advice would you like to pass on to new or future members?
Johnobrow: Don't under any circumstances keep your mouth shut. Yes you may be new. Yes you may be inexperienced, and yes you will probably say lots of stupid, things but it's important that your voice is heard and we want to hear it. Also don't be afraid to get involved! All the influential people today are only so because they were active right from the start.

bowen199: How do you see the PCP’s future?
Johnobrow: My hope is that the PCP will continue to aid the socialist cause both at home and abroad. Political success is second to economic success, it's important that ecommunists realise and remember this. It's action that makes a difference! The road to esocialism is to be found in communes and gifting programmes not in futile attempts at winning elections. I see the PCP becoming ever more important in the eUK but as I say not necessarily in the HoC. If we could make a difference there too, great but it should not be our top priority for some time to come.

bowen199: You are now they party president, did you ever think that you would be party president?
Johnobrow: My goal in erepublik has never been personal success. I didn't look at the PCP and think "I bet I could get them to make me their president", I've only ever been concerned with the cause. My loyalty is not to myself, it's not to my country, it's not even to the party. It is only to the socialist cause. The only reason I am PP now is that there was popular support for the idea and I felt there was some serious action that needed taking and it was from the position of PP that was the best way to get it done. So did I ever think I would be PP? Tbh I never really thought about it until there was a need for change.

bowen199: Are there any features you would like to see added to the game or improved?
Johnobrow: Yes - I think everyone wants something more from the game. Some changes I would like would actually just be bringing back beta features that sound much better than the current system, specifically military and politics features I also think there are some major economic features that need adding especially in the construction industry and raw materials. The idea of factory construction is an appealing one to me.

bowen199: Name one thing more important to you than erepublik?
Johnobrow: Real life 😛
The real socialist revolution of course. It should not be forgotten that this is of much greater importance than erepublik.

bowen199: Can you reveal one fact about yourself that many erepublik players would never be able to guess?
Johnobrow: I had a secret love affair with GF when I was a noob, but we fell out. That is the real reason for our somewhat cold relationship, nothing to do with me being annoying and him being intolerant.