Tropica

[Blake]

Sunrise Network: The National Party form a government

by Anthony Clarke

Nikutabi - Earlier today, Prime Minister Henry Shelton announced that his National Party had reached an agreement with Act! and Tropican First to form a government. They combine to control a full two hundred and eleven seats. The agreement centers around small cuts to social welfare programs while increasing work requirements for those receiving welfare as demanded by the Tropican First Party, along with middle class tax cuts wanted by Act! and the general push for a more pro-friendly business environment that the National Party has always pursued. Larger cuts to public services were demanded by the Tropican First Party but apparently Act! stood against any further cuts to education and healthcare. The deal continues Andy Spence’s time as deputy Prime Minister and Act! Ministers will be appointed to Internal Affairs, Attorney General, Education, and Culture. Whereas Tropican First will have ministers appointed to Customs, Regional Development, Defense and Housing. With the National Party having the lion’s share of ministers including Foreign Affairs, the Treasury, Health, Agriculture, Environment, and Energy.



Shelton’s statement on the formation of the government, focused on continuing the stability of National Party Leadership. Promising that Tropican’s fiscal house will get in order while lowering the tax burden on hard working Tropicans. Deputy Prime Minister Andy Spence focused on how Act! has made sure to stop the worst impulses of both the National Party, and Tropican First. He pointed out that his party has prevented deep cuts to public services, and prevented reactionary promises on immigration and election reform. Whereas the Tropican First Party leader and future Defense Minister Wesley Tyson focused on that the deal achieves many of their election promises and that they will still push for an up and down vote on lowering immigration numbers and protecting election integrity. Many in the media are surprised to see Act! enter into a coalition with Tropican First as polling showed it was deeply unpopular with their supporters.

To the Labour Party this deal comes out of left field who stated they had meetings with Act! to negotiate a coalition agreement. However, Labour was insistent about excluding the new Alliance Party from the government demanding that they simply supported a Minority Coalition. Stating they were not a serious party ready for government. Since the announcement Labour has focused on how Act! has betrayed its voters in endorsing this government instead of trying to reach an agreement that would restore public services and end the austerity. Mālie Keahi of the Alliance Party stated “Act! is the party we’ve always known they are. They are far more willing to continue the austerity that they have supported for ten years, than even negotiate with a left-wing party. We are going to oppose the cuts at every turn and do what we can to protect the most vulnerable. The people need a real leftwing voice.” She went on to comment about Labour’s policy of not entering in a coalition with the Alliance Party, focusing on how it is clear that Labour has not and will not learn the lessons the voters are screaming at them. She also would state that the Alliance Party is ready for government and that they are prepared to offer a real alternative to the National Party.

Time will tell how effective this coalition will be and whether or not Labour can learn to live with another party on its side of the aisle.