Kalistani Major History

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The Republic sits down with Leo Ingleton
Head of Democracy Forum Movement Describes Goals, tells us what he really thinks
Senvias, Duchy of Vrassa
November 19, 5557


Leo Ingleton is new face of pro-Democracy movement in Kalistan

The last six years have been an excessively turbulent period of time, as the first significant pro-democracy movement has grown out of nationalist protest over the marriage of the Emperor to a foreign national. Behind the scenes the entire time has been Leo Ingleton, who represented Senvias in the National Assembly before he was required to resign over a failed vote of no confidence in early 5552, and has since emerged as the primary organizers of the Democracy Forum movement. Mr. Ingleton hasn't spoken much in public but has been very busy behind the scenes raising both money and awareness to support Democracy Forums, which is seen as a "public dialogue between Power and the People, in true democratic fashion," according to the Organization's literature. Following the recent Democracy Forum in Sulari, The Republic got an opportunity for a one on one interview with Mr. Ingleton to talk about the goals of the Movement, and his hope for the future of the democratic movement in Kalistan. Things did not turn out well.

(The Republic's) K(asey) M(acAlister): Hello Mr. Ingleton, and thank you for agreeing to talk with the news.

L(eo) I(ngleton): It is my pleasure, Ms. MacAlister, and please, you may call me Leo.

KM: Thank you Leo. If you please, tell the readers about Democracy Forum?

LI: Well, the Government under Dame Ontiveros has become profoundly undemocratic and supine to the fiat of The Emperor. And the people are fundamentally denied the opportunity to have any input whatsoever into the actions of their government. We are not allowed to form competing parties, we are not allowed to pass bills independently of the Emperor's orders. Our Legislature, under the control of the Institutional Party acts as a rubber stamp for the Emperor. It is a sham. So Democracy Forum is a place where people can get together and speak, both to power and to one another. At both of the Forums so far, the Chancellor has been on the panel, and as a result, we have been able to directly challenge the Government, and demand accountability. It is more democracy than we have had in decades.

KM: Is your movement committed to peace?

LI: My movement is committed to doing what works. We have had success so far with these forums, which have been peaceful, where other movements who resorted to violence have failed. But if democracy is our ultimate goal we should be willing to fight for it.

KM: So far, both Democracy Forums have indeed been very peaceful. But at both forums, there have been very heated exchanges beween activists and members of the Government, first in Kaliburg, where the Empress was very candidly spoken to, and then now in the most recent forum, where the Chancellor was shouted down by rowdy activists in the audience. Do you condone these behaviors?

LI: Of course I do not condone any sort of violence, but I can't say that the passion of the pro-democracy is unreasonable. When the Government chooses to listen to the demands of the people, then passions will naturally cool. However, civility should be reserved for those who acknowledge the power of the people. I certainly won't call for their censure, even though Democracy Forum does not itself organize those demonstrations.

KM: Indeed. So what does Democracy Forum seek to accomplish? Do you seek to bring down the monarchy?

LI: Certainly not. You haven't forgotten, I hope, that I spent twenty years as an Institutionalist Deputy. I would still be in the National Assembly, as an Institutionalist, if that Party has not gone so far down the road of toadyism, and played a role instead of loyal opposition, as democracy should dictate.

KM: Well, then, what are your goals?

LI: In a word, democracy. We seek a more proper relationship between the National Assembly and the Monarchy. We seek the repeal of the Single Party Act, and opening the National Assembly to all Parties of all ideologies.

KM: Excuse me, do you mean you'd be willing to open the National Assembly to even fascists?

LI: Well, as unlikely as it is, we would have to allow fascists if we say "All Ideologies." It is greatly unlikely that fascists would seek to take obtain a seat in the National Assembly. In fact, it would be more likely that socialists and communists will gain seats first. And as anathema as that would be, it is a consequence of democracy, which is the most important thing.

KM: Would you seek a seat in the National Assembly?

LI: I wouldn't dream of it, unless there were a new Nationalist Party that would organize. But alas, there is no Nationalist Party, and I can continue to do good work outside of the Government.

KM: Do your nationalist sympathies drive Democracy Forum?

LI: My opinions about the Empress are my own. We are fighting for democracy in Kalistan, the sacred right to govern ourselves, rather than accept dictates from on High. There are plenty of constitutional monarchies, where the power of the Monarch is limited to affairs of state while matter of government are left up to representatives of the people. In a democratic government, the majority speaks.

KM: And what would you do if the majority of the people say they want to keep the monarchy as it is?

LI: That would be impossible.

KM: The Republic recently conducted a poll which showed a mere 11% supported a more democratic political system, while support for the monarchy has increased more than 16 points to 82% since Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Pavlina I Ananto was crowned. How can you call your movement democratic when such a small minority supports what you are proposing?

LI: The fact is, democracy means we the people rule. It doesn't really require a majority to actively support it, it merely requires a majority to not fight against it. In a representative form of government, which I call a Republic, as long as the people are electing representatives that represent the will of We the people, you don't see every person making laws. There will still only be 79 Seats in the Legislature. But they won't all be owned by the Emperor's puppets.

KM: Actually, a republic is a government that does the business of the public. It has nothing to do with...

LI: Young Lady, please do not presume to lecture me on etymology. We all know what a republic is, there is no need for pedantics.

KM: Let's change subjects then. What is your opinion on the Empress.

LI: No Comment.

KM: Surely a man as outspoken and important as yourself, the leader of the main democracy movement in Kalistan has an opinion.

LI: I'd rather not jeopardize my movement by saying something that might introduce complications for my movement.

KM: But you left office over your opposition to Her Imperial Majesty's marriage to the Emperor. Has your loss of your seat in the National Assembly propelled this movement in any way?

LI: The Foreigner has nothing to do with Democracy Forum. Excuse me. The Empress. She has nothing to do with Democracy Forum. These people are people who care about democracy, and who want democratic reforms.

KM: The Republic has been provided evidence that suggests that your group receives money from a small group of private sector industrialists called The Vineyard, who seeks establishment of a market economy in Kalistan. How does this square with your populist public image?

LI: Am I on trial here?

KM: No, there just seems to be a mismatch in what you say and what it appears you are doing. And The Republic's mission is to inform the Public about things they need to know about.

LI: The Public are not interested in such prurient matters as who funds Democracy Forum. But if you must know, I have never heard of any group called the Vineyard, and we specifically do not have any pro-market positions in our manifesto.

KM: And how about Liberty Brigade?

LI: No. They are discredited. And we do not have anything to do with them. Ms. MacAlister, if you are here to interrogate me on behalf of IBSI, please print that I have been harassed by those thugs regularly for the last four years. I've answered all questions under oath. And I certainly did not think this was to be part of that.

KM: Excuse me, Leo. I certainly did not mean to...

LI: Mr. Ingleton, Madame. I appreciate it...

KM: Mr Ingleton... I...

LI: Yes?

KM: I... I uh rather...

LI: Then we're done? I am sure I have better things to do than to speak with a Government Rag.

KM: Excuse me?

LI: I could sus it out when you walked in. You work for that Chancellor don't you?

KM: I assure you I...

LI I believe this interview is over. I don't have to put up with this from a woman... and a government spy at that... What, nothing to say then? It is certainly different from the foreigner: We couldn't get her to shut up... It's a good thing she's afraid to come to Sulari... She... All this is off the record, is that clear?

KM: Mr. Ingleton. You are correct about one thing: this interview is over.

At that, our reporter departed the interview room. For the record, the entire interview was on the record, as are all formal interviews, and this interview is a thrice verified transcript of the recording Ms. MacAlister made during the conversation. The Republic attempted to contact Mr. Ingleton to clarify his comments, giving him an opportunity to amplify or correct any statements, and his office did not return our telephone calls.