Idea: Mock Parliament

[Colin]

Sounds like a plan Chris. Okay when I say liberal I mean European or right-wing/social liberals not AMERICAN liberals. Also the numbers outlined in the general overview are going to be updated by this, since more people would probably work better. I'll figure things out.

Province Overview:

1. Robera

Population: 10455
Capital: Whitecliff (pop. 4280)
Demographics:
White 98% (55% Francophone, 44% English-speaking, 1% Other (inc. Portuguese)
Others 2% (1% Indian, all others under 1%)
Economy: Fishing, small-scale agriculture, logging
Description: Robera is one of the least populated states in Antillia. Robera includes some of the harshest terrain on Antillia including the highest peak in the Nieves Mountains, Mount Drexel (4,154 ft.). Most of its coastline is rough and cliffs run along the entire shore from Whitecliff to the border with New Wales. Most of the population lives in Whitecliff and the small coastal strip from there to the border with Limeria. In the interior of Robera a new geothermal power plant has been comissioned over one of the more active fissures caused by the Mid-Atlantic Trench, this is the second power plant of this type in Antillia after the Yarruch Facility in North Antillia. Politically Robera is very traditionalist and socially conservative, with a strong independent streak. Some logging and fishing areas have a slight social democratic edge to them. It is also home of a very linguistically based political system. While Francophones and English-speakers no longer actually fight each other here, elections are often decided on language.

2. New Wales

Population: 21214
Capital: Wellington (pop. 10,033
Demographics:
White 97% (English-speaking 63%, Francophone 35%, Portuguese 2%)
Others 3% (2% Indian, all others under 1%)
Economy: Mining, Fishing, Brewing, other light industry
Description: New Wales is less rugged than Robera but still much less inhabited than the Arcadia valley or the east coast. Wellington is the service centre for the entire western coast and is the major hub for transport for the western coast. Wellington is also known as the home of Governor-General, the number one brewery in Antillia. The state's lifeblood, much like its namesake, is mining as New Wales has rather substantial deposits of iron ore and sulphur. Politically areas outside of the mining towns are rather traditionalist and conservative with some populist elements. Wellington has a mix of working class areas and more middle-class liberal areas. Francophone politics also has a toehold on this province though Francophone populations are rather evenly distributed in this province as opposed to many others throughout Antillia, where Francophones are often concentrated in one area.

3. Carnarvon

Population: 44,937
Capital: Richmond (pop. 22,014)
Demographics:
White 94% (78% English-speaking, 19% Francophone, 3% Portuguese)
Indian 5%
Other 1%
Economy: Manufacturing, farming, services
Description: Carnarvon is divided between the populous English-speaking coastal plains and the less populous Francophone mountains. Situated at the very southern end of the Nieves Mountains Carnarvon has recently developed into a rather significant manufacturing centre in Richmond and several surrounding towns. Richmond is home to the largest aluminum smelter in Antillia. The mountainous north mostly remains rural and farming oriented with a nearly 100% Francophone population. Politically Carnarvon is split between rural agrarian populism and conservatism in Southern rural areas and in the North Francophone politics dominate. Most areas of the South are quite social democratic and some areas are quite far-left and bastions on democratic socialism and communism. Richmond also includes some well off suburbs and middle class areas which give support to liberals and conservatives.

4. Reginia

Population: 40,582
Capital: Lorient (pop. 21,214
Demographics:
White 88% (English-speaking 94%, Francophone 4%, Portuguese 2%)
Indian 10%
Black 1%
Other 1%
Economy: Services, farming
Description: Reginia is one of the breadbaskets of Antillia and a region known for its vineyards and wineries. Over time eastern Reginia has turned into a grouping of bedroom communities to the growing Alberton metropolitan area. Reginia is also known as a local centre for the South and the LeGran peninsula, with banking and healthcare being major areas of employment. Politically Reginia is a very moderate state. With none of the agrarian radicalism/populism of the west coast or the labour movement of the manufacturing areas. While it does get some immigration from poorer LeGran many bypass Reginia in order to try their luck in Alberton and New Ulster. The bedroom communities of the east are mostly a mixture of social liberalism with some moderate conservatism. The rural areas are moderately conservative but can easily go for a liberal or moderate social democrat. Lorient is a stridently middle class city that prides itself on being the most liveable city in Antillia. It is a bastion of liberalism but many of the working-class Indian areas provide a base for leftist support.

5. LeGran

Population: 22,909
Capital: Presque Isle (pop. 6578)
Demographics:
Indian 70%
White 17% (English-speaking 90%, Francophone 1%, Portuguese 9%)
Black 11%
Chinese 1%
Other 1%
Economy: Tourism, Fishing, Farming
Description: LeGran is the only province in Antillia with a non-White majority, it was also the only province to ever develop a plantation economy. The Indian, Chinese, and Black populations are the result of forced migration, either as slaves or indentured servants, to work on fruit plantations on the LeGran peninsula. During the years of dictatorship the government gave incentives for English-speaking whites and Portuguese immigrants from the newly independent colonies of Angola and Mozambique to move to LeGran in the hope of making the province more "loyal" to the government. The main moneymaker in LeGran is tourism. As it has the mildest climate and rather good beaches many from northern Antillia flock to LeGran for holiday. Plantation agriculture has waned in recent years due to reduced trade to the EU. Politcally LeGran is quite left-wing and often very supportive of socialists in elections. The white population tends to be very conservative. English-speakers are mostly concentrated in the far north and Presque Isle. The Portuguese are evenly spread throughout the province.

6. New Ulster

Population: 142,322
Capital: Alberton (pop. 103,982)
Demographics:
White 93% (English-speaking 82%, Francophone 13%, Portuguese 5%)
Indian 4%
Black 1%
Other 2%
Economy: Services, Manufacturing, Finance, Transportation, Light Industry
Description: New Ulster is really almost nothing more, nowadays, than Alberton and its environs. Except for small areas of the Gros Pitons Range, New Ulster is mostly flat and developed. As the economic centre of Antillia it is home to most of the major banks, hospitals, and corporations that are headquartered in Antillia. It also has a rather large manufacturing sector including steel, ship building, electronics, and pharmaceuticals. Politically the bedroom communities near the borders are moderately conservative, with the few rural areas being leaning towards populist. The suburbs themselves are mostly liberal with a few conservative pockets and more social democratic tendencies the closer to Alberton that you get, as well as a strong socialist current in the majority Indian suburb of Wurthington. The city of Alberton itself is a mix of middle-class liberal areas in the south and west and working-class social democratic and socialist areas in the north, depending on the militancy of the area. South Central Alberton is very rich and has both a large social liberal and conservative element. Central Alberton proper is mostly social democratic.

[Colin]

7. Hesperia

Population: 34,042
Capital: Victoria (pop. 18,750)
Demographics:
White 97% (English-speaking 94%, Francophone 4%, Portuguese 2%)
Others 3% (Indian 1%, all others <1%)
Economy: Services, light manufacturing, logging, agriculture
Description: Hesperia, for being so close to the eastern coastline, is quite mountainous and is known for its scenic beauty. Victoria, its capital, rests in a bowl-shaped valley between the Gros Pitons Range and the Coastal Hills. Hesperia is known as the home of Antillian dairy farming and Victoria has become a medical service centre in recent years, hosting both a good number of hospitals as well as medical research and pharmaceutical companies. Hesperia is a rather homogenous province with only a small Francophone minority and an almost non-existant Indian community. Politically Hesperia is diverse politically but leans more the right than the other "neutral" province, Reginia. In fact it's rural areas are probably some of the most conservative in Antillia however they are balanced out by moderate liberal Victoria and socialist tendencies in many logging areas. The second "city" of Hesperia, Coldwater, is a small manufacturing centre that is moderately social democratic.

8. North Antillia

Population: 20,446
Capital: Capehaven (pop. 9,578)
Demographics:
White 98% (English-speaking 93%, Francophone 6%, Portuguese 1%)
Others 2%
Economy: Fishing, farming, logging
Description: Another rural, nothern province with a big independent streak. Considered by many to be the most conservative province in Antillia, not without reason either, North Antillia contains the Essex Peninsula and its long sandy shoreline. The main economic activities in North Antilia are logging and fishing with farming also providing some income. The only major "plant" of any type is the Yarruch Power Station, a geothermal power station in the Southwestern corner of the province. Politically this is a very rural, very conservative place. Lack of unionization and strong traditionalist tendencies have kept the left at bay in this province, even in more developed areas. There is a slight liberal tendency in a few of the small market towns and a few bedroom communities have popped up in the west, spilling over from Limmeria.

9. Arcadia

Population: 88,674
Capital: Fort Rochier (pop. 12,328)
Demographics:
White 98% (87% Francophone, 10% English-speaking, 3% Portuguese)
Others 2%
Economy: Manufacturing, Finance, Services, Agriculture, Mining
Description: The largest Francophone majority province Arcadia is the centre of the Antillian Mountaineer community. Surrounded by the two mountain ranges of Antillia, the Arcadia Valley provided the safe haven for French settlers and French culture from English influence. Fiercly independent and considering itself the opposition to the English eastern elite Arcadia's influence is felt throughout the Antillian Mountaineer/Francophone population. Arcadia's economy is diverse and hold together as the second largest in the country. It includes manufacturing, services, the second largest financial and service centre in Antillia in the largest city, Charlesville, and agriculture in the fertile valley. There is a small English-speaking minority, mostly on the Charlevoix River, which forms the border between Arcadia and Limeria. It's western border is the Limer River. Politically Arcadia is diverse with rural areas vascillating between conservatism and rural populism, socialism in manufacturing areas, social democracy in many city centres, and liberalism reigning supreme in many suburban and wealthy areas. All Mountaineers, which means most Arcadians, are stauch supporters of La Francophonie and maintaining a unique culture and language.

10. Limeria

Population: 55,653
Capital: Port Valjean (pop. 30,794)
Demographics:
White 98% (English-speakers 63%, Francophone 36%, Portuguese 1%)
Others 2%
Economy: Services, transportation, manufacturing
Description: Limeria has always been the divding line between French and English. Originally a bastion of the Francophones, and one of the first French settlements on the island, it slowly became English-speaking after the 1850s. The Francophone population steadily declined until the 1970s when many Mountaineers from rural Arcadia came to Port Valjean looking for work. The English and French populations are now interspersed throughout the province and many areas are quite mixed. Economically Port Valjean is the largest port in Antillia and is a major transportation hub for the country. Manufacturing used to be a big economic producer in Limeria but most plants were closed because of third world competition, dwindling local iron ore supplies, and focus by the government on Carnarvon and the mining industry in Clairive and New Wales. Politically Limeria is leftist, with a strong socialist element in Port Valjean proper. Social democrats often battle with socialists in many poor and working class districts of the city. The outer suburbs are more liberal but nowhere in the state approaches the conservatism seen in many surrounding areas. There is some rural populism in the far west near the Robera border.

11. Clairive

Population: 35,490
Capital: Rocheport (pop. 8,928)
Demographics:
White 97% (Francophone 83%, Portuguese 14%, English-speaking 3%)
Economy: Mining, Logging
Description: The boomtown province, Clairive has exploded in population based on mineral finds made there in the early 70's, including bauxite, cobalt, and manganese deposits. This mountainous province was a bastion of the Mountaineer and was a backwater before mining. The discovery of these deposits happened around the same time as the first dictatorship granted incentives to Portuguese immigrants fleeing from newly independent colonies in Africa. Many made there way to Clairive in order to find good work and high pay. Many also felt more comfortable around the Catholic French than the mostly Protestant English. Politically Clairive is very odd as the size of its Portuguese population gives it a different ethnic divide than most of Antillia. Many of the mining areas are social democratic or socialist but there is also a strong undercurrent of liberalism in many of the towns and centres, a product of the merchant class who came into the province to capitalize on the extrordinary growth. Some rural areas maintain a strain of radical populism that is also apparent among the Francophone population of Carnarvon and rural southern Arcadia. The shine has mostly come off of the boom and some mines are beginning to close though Clairive's economy still continues to grow it has mostly stabilized into normal economic activity.

New Total Population: 516,724

I will figure out if this changed any of the populartion percentages tomorrow.

[The Man From G.O.P.]

I'm for sure a Conservative (not fundy) (not sure of party or anything) from New Wales.

[Robespierre's Jaw]

I'll be a Conservative from New Ulster. Would you like me to make a candidate bio?

[The Man From G.O.P.]

I think we should all create our own personal info, everyone should keep it in reason, then create parties.

[afleitch]

I think we should all create our own personal info, everyone should keep it in reason, then create parties.

Probably for the best. Find where people stand and then organise into political parties (and then into blocs, if there are many parties with similar ideologies)

EDIT: I like the idea of 'blocs' I'd like to set up a Parti Radical Democratique / Free Democrat Party that could work with other liberal/christian democratic parties.

I'll write up a 'profile' - background plus current stances etc

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Interesting. Will say more soon, but have to go now...

[afleitch]

How far advanced is the little island socially? As a 'concerned homosexualist' are we to assume (probably easier that way) that it's European in nature? At least legally, even if there are prevailant minority opinions in some parts of the country.

Oh and great name for the island Hope we get a map!

[afleitch]

Thought I’d have a bit of fun with this; just as a thought.

Name: Alexandre Macdonald Denoix
Province of Birth: Arcadia.
Ethnic Background: French Antillian/Scottish
Religion: Roman Catholic
Political stance: Free market social liberal / classic liberal
Party:  Parti Radical Democratique (Free Democrats)

Background.

Born into a middle class suburban family to a Francophone father and a Scottish mother, Denoix received a liberal Jesuit education at St Ignatius' school in Arcadia. At his mothers wish he attended university in Scotland for four years, studying history and politics before returning to Antillia to take up a post in the civil service. Openly gay, he has many friends of all political persuasions, but also critical opponents. His time under care of the Jesuits and his experiences in Scotland, he has said, has made him 'socially aware' and 'dedicated to free market solutions to poverty.' While seen as fairly honest and genuine, he has an air of 'pretence' (slightly bourgeois) which doesn't endear him to the 'impoverished'. Is also considered to be too 'anglo-saxon' by some of the more statist and populist sections of the Francophone electorate and political establishment, particularly his support of privatisation of state owned utilities.

Parti Radical Democratique.

A small party, popular amongst cross-linguistic suburban and city liberals and amongst Francophone rural landowners. An 'always the bridesmaid, never the bride' party, it thrives thanks to it's status as a potential coalition partner. While historically Francophone and historically and continually anti-clerical, the party has became more and more, if not equally attractive to English speakers. The party however struggles to be attractive to Indian and other ethnic minority voters, dampening it's chance in parts of the country.

Basic Platform:

Implementing a flat tax: 15% for personal income tax, corporate income tax and VAT designed to make Antillia a tax haven.

Privatisation of remaining state owned public (particularly energy) utilities.

Federalism. Greater autonomy for the Francophone sphere within the national political framework.

Higher education reform.

Reform of labour laws to force democratisation within the trade unions (I'm presuming theres some communist throwbacks operating within the unions)

[Bacon King]

Wow, thanks Colin.

This should go without saying, but I approve all of that bio you posted.

[Hash]

Interesting. Will say more soon, but have to go now...

Ditto, got to go soon but I'll get into reading this as soon as I can get around to it.

[HappyWarrior]

Socially Democratic Portugese Catholic Progressive from Regina

[Hash]

No time again right now, I'll probably be from Arcadia (maybe member of Rassemblement pour la Francophonie) or some other party.

[Colin]

How far advanced is the little island socially? As a 'concerned homosexualist' are we to assume (probably easier that way) that it's European in nature? At least legally, even if there are prevailant minority opinions in some parts of the country.

Oh and great name for the island Hope we get a map!

Let me say that socially I would put Antillia as being more conservative than western Europe but more socially liberal than the United States. In many urban areas a gay politician would cause no problems however in many working class, rural, and western areas it could cause problems.

There is a map for the island, its on page three along with the general info. I'll try to get the history written tonight and update the population percentages.

As for the idea of blocs it might work, especially for provincial elections in Arcadia if we ever get that far, and I could see two or three French parties on the national level that work closely together. My Rassemblement pour la Francophonie was going to be a broad coalition of Mountaineer groups but I'll see what happens. I don't know who I want to portray yet, a Anglo Liberal from Lorient, an Indian socialist from LeGran, a Portuguese liberal from Clairive, or a Mountaineer from Arcadia. So many interesting things.

[afleitch]

Sight tidy up; jagged coast yadda yadda - hope thats okay

[The Man From G.O.P.]

Looks great for our puposes, the borders look horridly artificial, but that's becuase we have moutains and rivers but don't know exactly where they are, it's moving along nicely though, I will hopefull have my personal bio written by the end of my WWII class. Afleitch, I would certianly like to form a coalition with your party at a later date, but for my voters in New Wales, I'm afraid yours doesn't fit well enough.

[Colin]

Sight tidy up; jagged coast yadda yadda - hope thats okay

Perfect. I only have paint, and I'm not all that good with it, so I had to make it rather limited.

Yeah some of the borders do look rather artificial but some of them are supposed to be along rivers, the border between Carnarvon and Arcadia, as well as the western borders of Limeria and Arcadia.

[The Man From G.O.P.]

Try this out, still has more to add, and maybe some to take away...


Name: William Henry Tudor
Province of Birth: New Wales
Ethnic Background: Welsh and Huguenot French
Religion: Protestant
Political Ideology: Varied
Political Party: Antilla Conservative Party
Age: 30


Background: William was born to a Welsh father, and mixed Irish-Huguenot mother. His father has a background in politics, once being president of the New Wales Iron Mining Union. His mother comes from significantly less privileged background, one of Huguenot refugees mixed with Irish heritage. His father’s standing with the New Wales Labour Unions increasingly came under fire by more some of his more liberal opponents, who often asked him how someone who had seen the struggles of a lower class family rise to the top through blue collar Labour could be so pro private business, his response of “could you repeat that, the silver spoon in your mouth is making you hard to understand” quickly put the issue of his family in the off-limits area. However religion is something that he has never been able to elude, his father is a staunch Protestant and his mother’s background only adds to it. He is known for “not wearing his religion on his sleeve” a move which hasn’t exactly endeared him to either side of the pulpit in New Wales. He has chosen to avoid including religion in his politics, voicing his belief that true Christians had more important business than trying to implement their beliefs into government. He is currently a Professor of Government and Classics at the University of New Wales. He speaks fluent English and French.


Politics: William has taken an obvious detour from the future his family and friends expected of him; it is unknown how his belief in private business and apathy towards his father’s Labour background will affect him in an election. Member of the Antilla Conservative Party (not unlike the UK Con Party) lost heavily in a local council election to his father’s personal friend and former union leader when he was 24.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Relief map:



Probably got something horribly wrong somewhere.

[Hash]

Name: Jack Cooke
Province of Birth: North Antillia
Ethnic Background:
Religion: Officialy Roman Catholic, in practice agnostic
Political stance: Centre-right conservative
Party: Progressive Conservative Party

Background.

Born into a middle class suburban family to English-born  parents, Cooke received elementary education in Capehaven before his family moved to Alberton where he attended a respectable secondary school. Like his father before him, he attended university in England for four years, studying history and political science before returning to Antillia to take up a post in the civil service. He later went into local politics and was elected as an independent to the post of mayor of Capehaven, before losing to a liberal candidate two years later. His studies abroad and subsequent travels through Europe have enlightened his political preferences, becoming a centre-right progressive conservative instead of a centrist liberal. He could be considered to have "bourgeois" tendencies. As of now, he serves in local politics as a city councillor from the PC Party. He speaks fluent French, English, and Portuguese.

Progressive Conservative Party

Basically a pro-free trade centre-right progressive and conservative party.

Basic Platform later on.

[The Man From G.O.P.]

3 bilingual mixed blood public servants/teachers/centrists so far... who knew I'd actually wish for crazies to join in...


Really though, everyone cook up those personal bios

[Filuwaúrdjan]

3 bilingual mixed blood public servants/teachers/centrists so far... who knew I'd actually wish for crazies to join in...

Will an Ernie Bevin/Arthur Deakin type do?

[Colin]

Relief map:



Probably got something horribly wrong somewhere.

Well just a bit. The Gros Pitons, the eastern range, are actually higher than the wester Nieves range. The highest mountain in Arcadia, Mount Hannover, is 5,340 feet and is located on the border between Hesperia and Arcadia. Other than that it pretty much fits with my description of it. One other thing, Rocheport is right on the border with Arcadia, its on the Limer River, which forms the border with Arcadia.

You may also want to add in Charlesville in the valley to the east of Fort Rochier. It has a population of 38,429.

But thanks though this map is absolutely great!

[The Man From G.O.P.]

I want that big mountain to be further in New Wales, what am I supposed to mine? salt water?

[Colin]

Updated a few statistics in the general info section. Made it slightly larger, now about 17,000 square kilometers, which makes Antillia slightly larger than New Caledonia, which I think is a more acceptable size and allows for alot more variation in topography and more real cultural distinctions between regions than a Jamaica sized island would allow.