Antillian Constitutional Convention

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Random comments about the, erm, technical (I suspect that that isn't the right word to use), side of the game, rather than constitutional issues (comments on those will come soon though)...

1. I think that it is essential that it is understood that those that play the game are not the only citizens of the island; we are but mere characters.

2. Following on from this, I think it should be possible for character to retire, die or to disgrace themselves through scandals and the like. It should also be possible for players to become new characters once their earlier character has been removed from the game.

3. I strongly agree with Hugh's second point; one of Atlasia's biggest flaws is the fact that the characters are also the electorate. Repeating that mistake here would be unfortunate.

4. Though I would also like it to be possible for characters to lose their seats (though how likely that be depends on the electoral system we choose; which is a constitutional matter).

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Aye

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Arthur Ernest Watson ALP-New Wales

I agree with my comrade, Mr Dudley, on this, and with monsiggenor... monsenyor... Mr Denn-Oy-Ex.
We should not allow minor quibbles such as this get in the way of building the framework of government and of democracy.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Yes

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A.E.Watson, ALP-New Wales

I am, and have always been, a Republican in sentiment. Monarchy is an archaic institution, a relic of Mediaeval times, and one that should, ideally, have no place in a new democracy.

But I am even more opposed to the idea of placing great power in the hands on one man; mon... sen... yoor... Denn-oyx may be wrong to call for a Monarchy, but on this point, this crucial point, he is entirely correct. To have a powerful President would just prove that this island has not learned the lessons of its own history.

A such, while my own personal preference is for a Republic with a figurehead President, I would actually prefer Monarchy to a powerful Presidency.

On the issue of formal relations between our island and other nations, I believe that it would be appropriate for us to join the Commonwealth of Nations and also La Frankoffanny. But not some Portoogeez body. As many of you know, the Labour Movement was opposed to allowing thousands of Portoogeez fascists to settle here decades ago, we may have been banned and underground but we still got our message across. While it would be inhuman to deport these people back to wherever it was they originally came from, it would be wrong to celebrate their arrival and presence here in such a way.
I would rather celebrate our large Indian community instead.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Watson turns Dudley and mutters something that sounds like "Thatcheritis"

[Filuwaúrdjan]

A.E.Watson, ALP-New Wales

Not happy at this "provincial M.P's" idea.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

I think that Mr Dudley would make a fine gavel-basher.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Aye

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Ayye

[Filuwaúrdjan]

There should no Provincial M.P's. The idea is dreadful and must die, die, die!

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Gross malapportionment is gerrymandering. I will not stand for such an abuse of democracy.