Luthori

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Tapihana government faces difficult struggle in local elections but maintains majority in key locations.
April 5729 (backdated)

Last night, as polling locations closed throughout the nation, the government was faced with a difficult reality to acknowledge. While the Tapihana government had successfully maintained a commendable majority in numerous regions of the nation, in other, Labour’s presence was dramatically reduced.

The local elections that were held on March 22, were a test for the Tapihana administration on its popularity and reliability for the Luthorian electorate, while local matters were the ones which were directly concerned by this election, the government’s overall performance in the two first years of their term, during its two years, the government successfully passed a budget that placed a great emphasis on the funding of infrastructure, healthcare and education, it successfully passed a free childcare act throughout the nation, modified the Parkford-era closed shops law and successfully decriminalised and allowed for same-sex marriage, an important social milestone.

Unfortunately, the Labour government of Mrs. Tapihana was also one of scandal, with the Prime Minister’s vacation in Cildania alongside her friends creating controversy, while the opposition overplayed its hand in numerous situations, such as attempting the creation of an Imperial Diet committee to investigate the finances of the trip after an independent inquiry from the Office of Budget Responsibility already figured that no state funds were used. Pressure was removed off the Prime Minister after the arrest of former Conservative MP, Leonardo Campbell on corruption charges.

Recently, the Prime Minister introduced a multi-billion infrastructure plan in early February, using the 5728 budget as a baseline, the Prime Minister, Martha Tapihana and Transport Secretary, Paola Todd-Lovecraft introduced the “5750 Great Luthorian Renewal Plan”, a plan described as “historic” and which described a multi-billion infrastructure package plan which would target government investment into the renovation or construction of new key strategic infrastructure, such as high-speed railways or highways, notably, this package included the £22 billion southern Fort William high-speed rail or £2.7 billion H33 project between Sewallston and Huckleberry.

Even with these announcements, it seems that the Labour Party’s fortunes weren’t cut out for winning in certain areas, the Labour-aligned government in Northriding was unceremoniously voted out of office, after 2 successive terms, being not replaced by the Tory-aligned Conservative Alliance, but by the ruralist and populist Rural Action Party (RAP), the party, already in office between 5707 and 5719, where a snap election removed them from office at Labour’s advantage. The Northriding Labour Party secured 57 seats in the 200-seat Northriding House of Commons, the Rural Action Party secured 87 seats and the Conservative Alliance secured 31 seats, smaller political formations secured 25 seats. The fragmented landscape of the Northriding Parliament will force PAP leader and future Minister-President Bob Dylan to seek out an agreement with another political formation to form a coherent government or form a minority administration.

Labour nonetheless maintained its majorities in both Erneshire and Middenriding, while the Labour-aligned Workers’ Party of Orange secured a plurality of seats in the Orange House of Delegates, securing 124 seats out of 300 seats, with WP leader, Catherine Blight poised to become Minister-President of Orange after working out an agreement with the opposition for either confidence and supply to her future government or a coalition agreement.

Overall, it was a good night for the National Labour Party, which while losing one administration to the opposition and failing to grasp Shipleyriding from the ruling right-wing government, it has secured the loyalty of the largest province in the nation, that is the Principality of Orange. Prime Minister Tapihana’s credentials seems to be strengthened, although it should be noted that Labour’s majorities were significantly weakened in both Erneshire and Middenriding, the former, Labour finding itself with a three-seat majority and in the latter, Labour found itself with a majority of six seats.

The Labour government can sigh a breath of relief as the administration’s credentials were strengthened by this electoral success, although Tapihana might wish to look towards other methods to strengthen her administration in the future.

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So? What happened between 5729 and today?
September 5735

Ever since the appointment of the first Tapihana government in 5727, Luthori has been governed by three successive Labour prime ministers, Martha Tapihana (5727-5731), Joshua Park (5731-5734) and Harold Pockerfield (5734-today). Three prime ministers in eight years, while Tapihana was elected under the promise of “radical change” to the Empire. While her government achieved milestone achievements under that promise, it still had to deal with numerous events which eventually would contribute to her government collapsing.

On May 23, 5729: it was announced by the Orange Palace that Emperor William XI has passed away peacefully at his country estate retreat of Rottingham Palace, being immediately succeeded by his son and heir, Prince Edward who automatically became Emperor under the name of Edward VII, Emperor of Luthori and King of Mordusia. In his first address as monarch, His Imperial Majesty paid his respects to his father and stated that under his father’s reign, the monarchy “remained an institution which stood the test of time, above petty party politics and aiming at assembling the nation as one”, which he stated he would strive to do as sovereign.

Prime Minister Tapihana delivered a respectful address to the nation following the loss of Emperor William XI, describing him as a “good and honest man, who wished to do his best for the nation in his position”, she moreover stated that the eleventh Willamite era will be remembered as an “era of peace, continued prosperity”, something that she vowed to continue into the new Edwardian era.

Emperor Edward VII was officially proclaimed as Emperor of Luthori and King of Mordusia on May 25, at the Holy Imperial Palace of Fort William. Meanwhile, His Majesty’s State Funeral was held on June 7, after having been delayed from June 5 to June 7 after a heat wave struck the Empire. Between June 1 and June 6, a heat wave struck all Luthorian territory, with temperatures reaching between 40 and 48°C in some locations. Fort William was “unbearable” during that time, with temperatures in the capital city usually located between 41 and 43°C for three days straight.

The government implemented guidelines for people to follow and created an emergency support line for all those who fell victim of the heat. After the heat wave passed, the Health Ministry confirmed that 60 people had died due to the heat, these people, mostly elderly people couldn’t face the rising temperatures and had passed away. 

The last two years of Tapihana’s government were dictated by Luthori’s involvement in the Baeguk Civil War, which resumed after a military coup deposed the pro-reunification government in the north. Under the influence of future Prime Minister Lord Wittfield and pushed by the anti-communist political environment ever since the 5726 terror attacks, the Tapihana government announced “tactically supporting” the free South Baeguk government, recognising the “illegitimate” military coup in North Baeguk.

The controversy erupted due to South Baeguk’s well-known treatment of women, as they aren’t given citizenship, aren’t granted the same rights as men, are currently in highest-oppressive nation in the world for women, this “tentative support” for the Maprigan’s government will soon become the cause of downfall of Martha Tapihana, as Home Secretary Park would resign in protest of the decision to involve itself in the Baeguk Civil War, causing a government crisis. And while the South Baeguk government would emerge victorious from the civil war, the summary execution of former dictator Buyeo Bomsori by the Emperor of Baeguk himself meant that the last remaining goodwill that the Prime Minister enjoyed among Labour Party members was gone, after also losing her traditional voting base of educated young people, disgusted as what they saw as a betrayal of their values.

After resigning, Joshua Park, former Home Secretary was elected as Leader of the National Labour Party and Prime Minister of Luthori. Appointed as the first Prime Minister of Emperor Edward VII, the new Prime Minister chose to trust the Lord Wittfield’s assessment on foreign policy and continue supporting the South Baeguk government, Lord Wittfield was notably appointed as Foreign Secretary although forced to resign as Leader of the House of Peers, being replaced by the Lord Crowchester. 

The support for Baeguk was coupled with increased scrutiny and pressure from the Luthorian government for reform of the Dovani nation’s treatment of women in exchange for continued Luthorian diplomatic and political support, in a bid to calm the radically offended Luthorian public.

The Labour Party maintained its majority in the 5732 general elections, being elected for another 5-year term in office, in the next Parliament, the Labour-dominated Parliament passed numerous laws, such as the Parliament Act 5733 which restricted the appointment of Prime Ministers from the House of Peers, before any member of Parliament could become Prime Minister, although with the Parliament Act, the Emperor can appoint a member of the House of Peers as Prime Minister, but said member is expected to be elected in the Imperial Diet with a six-month deadline or be dismissed.

National service was made volountary through the National Service Act 5732, which abolished the practice of mandatory military service, but implemented a paid voluntary civilian national service, it was a long-time promise from the Labour Party.

The government of Joshua Park will meet its demise after the Labour Party’s electoral defeat in the Erneshire snap election, where the Conservative Party secured an outright majority in the House of Representatives of the Grand Duchy of Erneshire, with Lord Wittfield being appointed as Prime Minister of Luthori and later being elected in a special election in the Imperial Diet.

Since 5734, Luthori has been governed by Harold Pockerfield, Lord Wittfield, a pragmatic, yet open left-wing aristocrat who’s pragmatic in foreign affairs, yet emboldened by the same fire of reform in domestic affairs, except institutional affairs where he’s surprisingly conservative, opposing the Parliament Act 5733 but supporting the National Service Act or the Penalties Act 5731, which officially restricted the usage of the death penalty for treasonous charges only.

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Continued investment in education lead into bright new age for knowledge.
October 5735

Ever since its ascension into Crown Street back in 5727, the National Labour Party has strived to place education at the forefront of government policy. Already in 5727, the Tapihana government announced in its very first budget that education would receive additional investments to lead Luthori into a “new scientific bright age”.

Since then, it seems that Tapihana’s bold declaration back in 5727 seems to have manifested into something beneficial for the nation. In 5727, the government laid out its goals with the implementation of additional budget and investments into the Ministry of Education, first being the renovation of schools throughout the country to ensure equal access to facilities, furthermore, the Cabinet announced that childcare (education from 1 to 3 years old) was going to be completely free of charge for families throughout the country, with state-run nurseries being created after the successful nationalisation of numerous private-held nurseries.

Furthermore, the Tapihana Cabinet passed the Education Act 5728, which was targeted at reforming the education system from primary education to high school. The Education Act was focused on reforming the education programs used to teach students, placing a greater emphasis on personal reflection and teaching of democratic values from a young age.

“Luthori is a nation which prides itself in its formidable system of parliamentary democracy, yet to preserve our democratic system of governance, we need that the next generation of children be properly educated in the manner to preserve our democracy,” said then-Education Secretary Kim Kok.

The Education Act 5728 also included a greater emphasis on the education of scientific classes: mathematics, biology, physics and chemistry, each of those classes received additional time during the week, with the emphasis being placed on excellence and personal awakening.

“No Luthorian children should leave school without some basics in terms of mathematics and other scientific classes, as these are necessary to achieve personal awakening and those shall useful in our children’s future lives as adults.”

In light of this renewed focus on mathematics, the Education Act 5731 enforced the presence of mathematics throughout schooling, with the presence of mathematics rendered mandatory throughout high school. 

Furthermore, the Examination Act 5731 also laid out the most daring reform made to Luthori’s education system to date, with the A-level exams seeing the mathematics class being made mandatory, while it was merely an optional class before, students still has the option to carry on mathematics in an advanced levels for their A-level exam, but a 3-hour long class to carry on the mathematics program laid out in 9th grade and beyond will be mandatory for all students.

These reforms made Luthori’s education more focused towards excellence and allowing its students to learn more about themselves allowing the Luthorian primary education system to be attractive for foreign students to study in Luthori. A notable increase in foreign students' admission within Luthori’s primary education system has been noticed, notably from N&D, Dundorf, Mordusia and Beluzia.

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Imperial General Headquarters confirms “temporary” Prosperity CSG deployment in Southern Anantonese Ocean.
November 5735

The Imperial General Headquarters confirmed that the Imperial Luthorian Navy would undertake a massive deployment of its naval force – typically, the smaller Luthorian Navy compared to its peers in Beiteynu and Lourenne, and later Egelion, would aim at reinforcing its presence in the Western Hemisphere.

Modern Luthorian naval strategy focused on the West – with recent establishments in the Migrants’ Pass and deployments of Luthorian naval forces focused on reinforcing shipping lines towards the Home Territory. Modern Luthorian diplomacy is also shaped by the deployment of naval forces overseas, as seen by the negotiations between Luthori and Valruzia over the granting of basing rights for Luthorian naval vessels.

The deployment of the Carrier Strike Group “Clockwork”, affiliated with the Prosperity Fleet in the Southern Anantonese is combined with Egelion’s continued retreat from international affairs, a state of affairs confirmed by the Kerisian nation’s non-intervention in the Second Baegukese War, in which Luthori played a large role.

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Imperial General Headquarters confirmed that the Clockwork CSG, formed by the Emperor Richard-class aircraft carrier and other auxilliary naval vessels would be deployed into the Anantonese Ocean and remain at sea in patrol mission for an extended period of 6-weeks, until redeployed at the New Bartley Naval Base in eastern Mordusia. 

This state of affairs is expected to remain the same for over 2 years.

Imperial General Headquarters justified Luthori’s naval deployments in the area as a “necessary operation” to cope with Egelion’s “rather abrupt departure from the international arena.”

One Luthorian admiral was quoted as: “Egelion is done, unable to protect her interests nor her and our important trade links in the Anantonese [...] filling in that gap is a necessary burden for the protection of both our interest and to replace Egelion as a guarantor of naval stability and tranquillity in the region.”

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The deployment of the Prosperity Fleet’s CSG is according to the General Headquarters, the “first step” towards the formation of another fleet, which will focused towards tackling the issue in the Eastern Hemisphere.

“It’s a temporary deployment; one made to mend up the patches that kept the whole structure stable [...] plans are currently for a full-on deployment in the region, in the next future.”

The creation of a future “Eastern” Fleet of the Imperial Navy was stated to be an objective in the 5728 Naval White Paper, with the current replenishment of the modern-day Imperial Fleet with the Type-24 destroyers and Type-36 frigates.

An additional number of frigates and destroyers have been commissioned by the government to act as the backbone of a future carrier strike group and the future Eastern Fleet.

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Seleya Minister meets with Gaduri Ambassador to decrease concern about Luthorian CSG deployment.
November 5735

Luthori’s Seleya Secretary, Rosa Meaglia has met with the Gaduri Ambassador to Mordusia in a high-level meeting amid recent controversy caused by the Luthorian CSG deployment in the southern Anantonese Ocean.

The meeting was planned after the Gaduri Ambassador to Luthori conveyed his government’s concern at Luthori’s unilateral deployment of an extensive part of its naval might to the region.

No 10 reaffirmed its willingness to engage in “constructive” dialogue alongside neighboring countries in the Anantonese Ocean that might be directly impacted by this change in guard. 

During her meeting with the Gaduri Ambassador to Mordusia, Mrs. Meaglia and him discussed of the recent announcement of the deployment of the Clockwork CSG in the Anantonese Ocean, its reasons and potential effects on Eastern Anantonese trade and Gaduridos.

She reaffirmed Luthori’s position that the Empire aimed at protecting Mordusia’s eastern flank and to act as Egelion’s replacement as the guarantor of trade and maritime stability as the nation’s retreat into isolationism become clearer day by day. 

After the meeting, her tone was conciliant: “We heard Gaduridos’ concern and offered to work alongside them to allieviate their concern, we aren’t here as conquerors or imperialists, but as protectors, guarantors of the international order in terms of trade and equitable balance. We will be happy to work with Gaduridos and other partners, as we’ve shown our willingness to collaborate with international partners to faciliate our deployments.”

“As I told the Ambassador during our meeting, Luthori and Gaduridos have the same objective in mind, guarantee the safe passing of commercial vessels into the Anantonese Ocean and avoid the entry of negative and untrustworthy actors in the area, this leaves a lot of grounds for potential collaboration. But it’s a matter for both Fort William and Ciudad de Gadur to discuss, nonetheless, the door to Luthorian collaboration is opened.”

Luthori’s Navy Headquarters’ announcement of the deployment of the Clockwork CSG off the Mordusian coast has been coupled with the announcement of the deployment of a future, permament presence in the Southern Anantonese Ocean, aimed at replacing Egelion as a guarantor of stability in the region.

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Kalistan Defense Ministry and Foreign Ministry strongly condemn Luthorian unilateral and unwelcomed invasion in Schismatic Sea
Ambassadors sent to Gaduridos to discuss terms over Bentasur, aimed at blocking Luthorian incursion

Read about it in The Kalistani Republic

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“It is indeed worrying that such rhetoric be entertained by Kalistani officials” told the Foreign Office about latest statements from Kaliburg which exposed the Seleyan nation’s willingness to threaten the Home Territory.

“We aren’t here to threaten anyone, be it Kalistan, Gaduridos or any other nation in the region. We've already met with those who are first concerned by our deployments, namely the Kingdom of Gaduridos in which we reaffirmed that our first and primary objective remain, as always, the protection of our allies in the Eastern Hemisphere, namely the Commonwealth of Mordusia.” the statement continued.

The Foreign Office also rejected the perspective of a potential withdrawal of the Clockwork CSG for the time being, citing Kalistani rhetoric as “an intimidation tactic by which Luthori will not stand by.”

The statement continued: “His Majesty’s Government remains committed to the protection of her allies in the Mordusian Commonwealth and the sending of an Carrier Strike Group is aimed at showing our determination in that regard.”

The Prime Minister’s Office later released a statement which condemned Kalistan’s warmongering rhetoric, stating that Luthori “wouldn’t yield to the pressure”, later the Navy HQ confirmed that the Clockwork CSG would remain in the Schismatic Sea, confirming both statements from the Foreign Office and from Number 10.

The Luthorian Prime Minister’s Office also stated that “Kalistan’s imperialist tendencies have been quite known for a few years, when the Kalistani government begun to openly meddle in other nation’s affair and criticise its conduct”, referring to the controversial Luthorian involvement in the Baeguk War and the later diplomatic row between the two countries.

“We indirectly entered the conflict in Baeguk in the optic of helping the Free Baeguk government to successfully reunify the nation and we have successfully done our job in that regard” said a spokesperson for Number 10. “Baeguk is reunified, Baeguk is free.”

“Kalistani statements about Luthorian imperialism are wrong and ill-founded. They claim to be favourable to the restoration of order in Baeguk, but didn’t even move an inch when the nation was going through troubling times, while Luthori actively supported the legitimate government.”

“All and all, it’s simple, Luthori will not leave the Schismatic Sea because one nation aimed at using bully rhetoric to make her voice heard in diplomatic circles. We are here for peace and preserve the sovereignty of our brother nation in its eastern flank, where our forces have been lacking compared to the west.”

When asked about the accusations of imperialist rhetoric, No 10 only stated that “One’s benevolent action can often be labelled as an imperialist by self-serving paranoid actors.”

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Kalistani 3rd Fleet Officer fires warning shots in Schismatic
"Luthorian Navy is overstepping" says Admiral

Read more in The Kalistani Republic

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Imperial General Headquarters places Prosperity Fleet on alert; send CSG Regina to Mad Dog Ocean for reinforcements.
May 5736

Following the Kalistani provocation on Luthorian naval vessels patrolling in the Schismatic Sea, the Luthorian government has adopted a more agressive tone in relations to the tensions between the Kalistani and Luthorian fleets in the Schismatic Sea.

Originally, the crisis started with the Luthorian Navy sending the Clockwork CSG into the Schismatic Sea, a move which was considered very negatively in Kaliburg and prompted a response with the Third Kalistani Fleet being placed in the same area as the Clockwork CSG.

Now with the shooting of “warning” shots into the HMS Warcury, a Type-36 frigate that was only recently placed into the command of the HMS Emperor Richard II aircraft carrier, the crisis has only escalated further as the Imperial General Headquarters announced that the Prosperity Fleet was placed under high alert and expected to keep readiness level at maximum.

Already, the ILN announced that the CSG Regina of the Homeland Fleet was to be moved to the Mad Dog Ocean to provide additional cover to the CSG Clockwork.

For the Navy Headquarters and the Imperial Government, the message through the sending of the HMS Duke of Alchester aircraft carrier in the Mad Dog Ocean and the implementation of an alert mode into the Prosperity Fleet is clear: Luthori will not yield to pressure and will stand its ground in the defence of an ally’s coast.

A statement from the Minister of State for Seleya stated that: “War might be upon us at any moment, Kaliburg’s continued escalation of the conflict through the illegal shelling of one of our naval vessels have led this avoidable diplomatic squabble to go into these borders. The Imperial Luthorian Navy shall not be intimidated into submission. We will protect Mordusia’s east coast. We will stay in the Schismatic Sea, whether Kalistan likes it or not.”

The Regina CSG’s deployment in the Mad Dog Ocean has been confirmed by the Ministry of Defence, which, at the request of the Prime Minister, called an emergency meeting of the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Defence Secretary to discuss potential actions to take up from here.

“We want to preserve the peace in the world, but our patience has limited and if we are pushed to shove, Luthori will have no regrets standing up for herself.” stated a press spokesperson for Malvin Palace.

The Luthorian Prime Minister, the Lord Wittfield has informed His Imperial Majesty Emperor Edward VII of the possibility of a war in Mordusia and the Schismatic Sea and has reaffirmed, according to our informations, to the monarch of the government’s willingness to risk it all to protect the Imperial Confederation’s sovereignty and integrity.

Lord Wittfield has already talked to the Mordusian Prime Minister regarding the tensions unfolding close of Mordusian soil.

With war potentially on the horizon, political reactions in Luthori have been mixed, the right-wing and nationalist parties have all “rallied around the flag” demanding to the Prime Minister to make Luthori’s “voice respected in the world stage” by continuing to escalate the conflict with Kalistan until Luthorian demands be met.

On the left, while remaining postive about a potential agreement, the mood is more sober, and the possibility of war leaves the political left divided between patriots and those who are pacifists all the way.

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Prime Minister states that war “might be imminent” to Parliament as Kalistan ramps up pressure on Luthori; FWSE react negatively to war scare.
July 5736

Prime Minister Harold Pockerfield, usually known by his title of Lord Wittfield addressed the Imperial Diet in a grim and somber fashion, reflecting the dark mood surrounding the Wittfield Administration as tensions between the Luthorian Empire and the Kalistani Empire threaten to devolve into an outright direct confrontation between the two powers. The Wittfield Administration has been described as an “adventurous administration” but this adventurous style in foreign policy has quickly devolved towards the rising influence of “war hawks” within the Cabinet.

These “war hawks” are known, notably present in the Foreign Office with Seleyan Minister Rosa Megalia acting as their main representative in the government. Her role, expertise, credentials and authority to deal with Seleyan affairs on behalf of the Foreign Secretary have led to increase her influence substantially within the Cabinet, leading up the push to war with the best of her abilities.

In his address to the Imperial Diet, the Luthorian Prime Minister reaffirmed Luthori’s right to patrol the Subsential Sea without “active foreign bully behaviour aiming at driving us out”. He stated that the Imperial Luthorian Navy’s Clockwork CSG would remain in the Substantial Sea “until further notice” and addressed the deployment of Luthori’s second carrier strike group, CSG Regina in the Mad Dog Ocean as a “strategic and reasonable answer to Kalistan’s continued provocations towards the Luthorian Fleet in the Eastern Hemisphere.”

As the drums of war beat louder, the Prime Minister addressed the elephant in the room, the looming threat of a fifth Kalistani-Luthorian War, the last conflict between the two countries dating back to the 19th century in which Kalistan found itself in opposition with the Luthorian Empire in North Seleya. Pockerfield stated that while His Majesty’s Government “pursued openly defensive causes for its operations in the Anantonese, the Kalistani government, instead took this as a provocation in a sea that isn’t theirs to begin with.”

“The Kalistanis have proclaimed that the Anantonese Ocean was their Mare Nostrum, and in bliant disregard for the continued and established Luthori-Mordusian entente that have been in force for the last 400 years and have hereby proclaimed that a Luthorian mission aimed at securing Mordusia’s eastern flank, even with the fact that the Luthorian Fleet is already protecting the Commonwealth’s western flank, in the Sea of Lost Souls, can’t and shouldn’t be established at any point. [...]

As I declared to this House a few months ago, the drums of war are being heard, Kalistan’s provocative and unreasonable approach to diplomacy have His Majesty’s Government to enact measures to respond appropriately to the numerous Kalistani provocations towards us.

The Carrier Strike Group “Regina” is now in the Mad Dog Ocean and is ready and operational. If push comes to shove and Kalistan doesn’t immediately realise that their provocative and unreasonable approach towards the Luthorian Empire, continue to attempt to bully the Empire into submission, they will force us to resort to extraordinary measures to defend our sovereign right to come to an ally’s aid, such extraordinary measures are of course, not those that I would personally wish to enact, but if, in the dreadful circumstances we could be drawn into, I’m faced with such a decision, I will enact it.”

The Prime Minister’s statement received a lukewarm welcome from his own party, the National Labour Party has been divided between “pacifists” and “pro-government” MPs, the latter backing the government’s antagonistic policy towards Kalistan, while the former has been urging for the urgency of establishing talks with the Anantonese state. But with the coupled warning shots shot at the HMS Warcury, now coupled with the escalation of the crisis to the Mad Dog Ocean, increasingly Labour MPs have been “falling in line” with the government with the potential prospect of war.

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Furthermore, the Imperial General Headquarters announced, in a surprisingly rare joint statement with Number 10 and Blackhall Palace (Foreign Ministry) in reaction to the deployment of the Kalistani Second Fleet in the Mad Dog Ocean that “any hostile action undertaken by the Kalistani Second Fleet towards the CSG Regina will be hereby considered as an act of war by His Majesty’s Government.”

This threat of war has been raised due to the explicit threat that the Second Fleet is posing to the Carrier Strike Group, at the Navy Headquarters, Randsey, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral John Badclay said in that regard: “We have deployed the CSG Regina to explicitly send a message to Kalistan so as to stop their provocations against the CSG Clockwork in the Anantonese Ocean. Their response was to send an entire fleet, once again escalating the situation in a dramatic fashion, so of course, if any hostile action is undertaken by the Second Fleet against the CSG Regina, then, as agreed between the Prime Minister’s Office, the Foreign Office, the Defence Ministry and the Imperial General Headquarters, this action would be understood as the first shot of a war between the Luthorian Empire and Kalistan.”

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Domestically, the Fort William Stock Exchange reacted negatively to the war scare engulfing the nation, with the FWSE dropping by 3.76% on opening day on Monday.

Investors have begun to see the possibility of an outbreak of conflict between two great powers in the Anantonese Ocean, a vital hub for international commerce as a “dangerous, likely and very risky outcome”, furthermore, the conflict would likely see its opening stages in the Schismatic Sea, next to the Aldegar Canal.

“Instability in the Aldegar Canal and the Mad Dog Ocean could put the entre global economy to a halt due to the sharp reduction of the trade volume passing through either the Aldegar Canal or the Mad Dog Ocean for West-East trade.” stated ITA (International Trade Association) President Theodore Bradley. He also stated that due to the potential closure of the Aldegar Canal and Mad Dog Ocean would basically increase the trade volume passing by the Migrants’ Pass, warranting increased surveillance of the Migrants’ Pass by Luthorian and MATO forces to guarantee safe passage and stability.

With the risk of war high, the SouthSeas Company and WarrenGlobal Shipping or NOMC have already announced redirecting their courses from passing through the Anantonese Ocean, privileging to pass through the Migrants’ Pass, at least “until the threat of war has either been defused or has materalised, by which, the redirection would become permanent.”