Luthori

[Ligbruderkrieg]

Editorial: Braze yourself, as the arch-conservative makes his comeback, for something bleak and dark.
October 5645



Fort William - The Earl of Windbury is back - no, not the Earl that we've seen during the first term of his premiership, but the flamboyant conservative fighter is back - and would we look at that, all of Luthori is screaming in pain, like an old person forced from her hospital bed to witness her final demise - with the recent push of the far-right in Luthorian politics, the Tories have been sent running all over their headquarters trying to figure out what went wrong and try to contain the HDA's seizure of long-time Tory voters, their solution? Being even more conservative than they have been. After what was undoubtedly the least interesting election in recent memory - the State Opening of Parliament can be considered as being one of the most consequential in Luthorian history - and not in a good way.

In this address, written by the Government to outline their priorities during the first year of their second term has been unprecedented in its radical vocabulary and conservative objectives, it seems that, under pressure from the right-wing of the Conservative Party and helped in this endeavour by the right-wing Liberals and the more "opened" Moderates, the Cabinet has begun its mission of reconquest over the hearts and minds of the people who stopped voting Conservative during this election - even with a decent result for the moderate right being noted. The Windbury government would undertook severe and deep "reflexion" upon Luthori's standard of welfare state, with the Cabinet outlining its plans to "drastically reform" the entire welfare state to make more "modern" and "efficient" for Luthorians - another word meaning that the Government would begin slowly but steadily destroy the welfare state in favour of unchecked laissez-faire in the welfare sector. Although, of course, they aren't going to completely destroy the IHS (Imperial Health Service) or Social Security, but they are going to start slowly, but terminating some elements of the welfare state to align with their bleak vision of Luthori.

The Cabinet effectively announced that it was looking towards working with "social partners" to reach a satisfying settlement for every party involved - even as they [the Government] are planning at least £20 billions in cuts in the Luthorian welfare state with the Cabinet looking towards cutting unemployment benefits and the so-called "baby boosts", benefits granted to families upon the birth of a child. Upon the encouragement of Foreign Secretary Porchey and Chancellor Pottle, the Government seems to also engage in a path aiming to promote and benefit private insurances at the expense of existing state-owned programs. The Emperor also announced that the Government was "looking towards" decreasing its role within the economy, through an "extensive" program of privatisations of currently state-owned companies - for now, the companies that would impacted by such changes aren't known - most suspect the Imperial Post Office or the Imperial Oil Company being the first victims of such moves.

Opposition Leader in the Senate, Tom Paschtenark (Labour), seemed to be looking with horror at the Emperor's statements, as it basically gives him more work in the Senate, opposing the Government at every single turn, the Senate Minority Leader was seen putting his head in his hands in complete disbelief at this complete u-turn from the Prime Minister after 3 years of working with him in the Senate, a confident of Mr. Paschtenark stated that this address was privately commented by the Senate Official Opposition Leader as a complete "embarrassment" and a "complete disaster waiting to happen". In the Chamber of Representatives, the Leader of the Opposition, Stella Wadden-Wayner (Labour) led the charge against the Government's program of "social dismantlement" as she puts it, the Labour leader pointed out, rightly and thankfully, at the lack of replacement of the watered-down social programs and to the increase in both poverty and inequalities that this would create. The opposition leader finished her address by saying that "numerous Luthorians are already struggling with social benefits - now what this government is proposing is essentially to kill them and leave them rot in the street".

Fear - not anticipation or excitement, dominates Luthori's political landscape tonight, as while the Government's economic program was expected, but the social implications of such economic program is dreaded upon by numerous Luthorians who already struggle to finish their month properly with the Government's support and now that would even more struggle due to the said government cutting down on these programs. Prime Minister Windbury assured that the Cabinet would create "appropriate" measures to reduce unemployment through different programs to support the reintroduction of the inactive workforce into professional activity, with increased penalties being imposed on those who "do not actively search a permanent solution to their professional issues", the Leader of the Opposition criticised what she dubbed as government "tied to corporate interests" and not to the hard-working people of Luthori.

The Government's planned reform to social issues rooting the nation has been more muted, the Prime Minister only promising to enact immigration reform to "simplify" the process of entering the country as an foreign national, while vowing to crackdown on any illegal routes that might exist towards the Empire. There was no brand promises like the abolishment of the right of abortion in Luthori, a subject so extreme that even the most die-hard traditionalist Conservatives wouldn't dare to touch this subject in hopes of remaining popular enough to survive in the next general election, there was no talk about the Government's policy towards euthanasia - which most of the populace and progressive forces are supportive of while conservative forces are either neutral to opposed, which is the case for the Conservatives, but seems that being in a coalition with "progressives" helps to moderate your social proposals by a bit.

Everyone, even the Emperor and Empress - who are normally neutral in politics, but whose reactions have been shown to be quite worried, especially from the Empress, are worried by the Cabinet, which is most far-right ministry that Luthori has ever seen in modern history, with deregulation being the way forward, a ruthless education reform that'll basically increase the pressure felt by students (already very high) and is likely to increase the rate of school failure and suicide or depression rate for the younger generation. Faced with the dismantlement of the welfare state and the increase in reactionary thought, it is important that progressives across the nation rally against this government to force its resignation or at least, stay true to the status quo. Something that we'll do here, at the Guardian.

[Ligbruderkrieg]

Parliament Passes "Welfare Optimization and Fiscal Responsibility Act", reducing some social welfare benefits.
December 5645

Fort William - The Government already secured a victory in Parliament tonight after the passage of the Welfare Optimization and Fiscal Responsibility Act, proposed to the Chamber of Representatives by Health Secretary Theodore MacOliver. The bill in question was aimed at reducing welfare expenditures to achieve a balanced budget, which is one of the Government's key objectives during this term. Prime Minister Windbury stated that the Bill was a "necessary evil" so as to reduce Luthori's expenditures to achieve a balanced budget in short timeframe. The Bill proposed cuts in children birth benefits, with a reduction of 20 % upon state-sponsored welfare benefits for the birth of children within low-paid households.

''The necessity of achieving a balanced budget passes by numerous cuts in certain welfare programs which are deemed as "unnecessary" by the government" said Chancellor Pottle in the Chamber of Representatives when defending the Cabinet's cuts in childcare benefits. Prime Minister Windbury promised that these cuts in social programs would be "compensated" by another action of the Cabinet, that would see first-born receive some form of benefits upon their birth, that would be vested upon their families, the Chancellor expressed the need for a "restraint" financial support towards low-paying households, stressing the need of "finding them well-paid jobs within their realm of qualification and avoid the Government playing a role of national feeder that it shouldn't necessarily play".

Health Secretary MacOliver addressed concerns that the Bill was merely the first step towards a widespread dismantlement of the welfare state, addressing critics with a statement that reassured nobody: "The Civil Service, under the Cabinet's guidance will be looking at the effectiveness of each social welfare program and to the Imperial Health Service and come up with means and ways to make them both more efficient, with the aim of providing helpful and necessary aid and care to the Luthorian populace", saying that the Government would look at each program and basically decides whether it is worth the hassle to focus towards reform or outright dismantlement. The Secretary's words towards the Imperial Health Service with a vow to make it "more efficient", made way towards rumours of dismantlement by the Cabinet, rumours that led to the Secretary to clarify its comments so to avoid heavy controversy, saying that the dismantlement of the Imperial Health Service was "out of the question" and the Windbury Government wouldn't "dare touch to such a prized national treasure but merely increase its efficiency".

The Bill, passed with a 262-172 vote in the lower house, also aimed at increasing the requirement for unemployed persons for reception of a new "National Insertion Income" which will replace the National Financial Security Income (NFSI) on January 1st. This new income will increase the necessity for receivers to actively search for a new employment for over 12 months, after that deadline, the benefits will begin to decrease. The Bill sets the amount of money to £1.000 per month for the first year, and the amount is expected to decrease steadily by £50 to £75 per year, until having reach the "critical financial survival stage" at £650 per month, where penalties would be decided for people at that stage and greater help for job employment will be unlocked for these people, with personalized help being increased and physiological help being proposed.

According to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, this Act will "be the first step towards a new, better Luthori, free from the breastfeeding that some people are doing to the government".

[Ligbruderkrieg]

Government congratulates Dundorf's NDZP for electoral victory; vows to work with new government.
November 5646 (backdated)

Fort William - Foreign Secretary Porchey recently extended Luthori's warmest congratulations to Dundorf's Neue Zentrum (New Center) for securing an electoral success at this year's Dundorfian federal elections. While remaining silent on the matter, the Prime Minister's Office sent out warm and cautious congratulations to the party and its incoming government, with Prime Minister Windbury wishing to the Zentrum leader that bilateral relations between Fort William and Dunburg would see some much-needed "renewal" according to him. Neither the Foreign Office nor the office of Erica Kleinfelder, Dundorf's Zentrum future Chancellor have confirmed the statements, nevertheless, Foreign Secretary Porchey confirmed that Luthori was hopeful to "restart" a new relationship with Dundorf, as Artanian stability and security was now secured in this post-2KW environment.

Bilateral relations between Fort William and Dunburg became increasingly strained due to Dundorf's non-participation to the Second Kundrati War, which strained relations between Fort William and Dunburg with the Luthorians still moved from their losses in Kundrati, but, with the war becoming memory to most of the Luthorian populace as the younger generations haven't experienced either the first or second war, hard-feelings towards the Dundorfians are slowly disappearing from the public space and from the Foreign Office as well, with Foreign Secretary Porchey expressed the warm reception of Mrs. Kleinfelder's Zentrum electoral victory.

Luthori's motivations towards a rekindling of its traditionally weird relationship with Dundorf seems to lay with the resurgence of anti-Luthorian sentiment in Kundrati, and this change in policy seems to illustrate Luthori's worries about the destabilisation of the post-war environment in Artania, by reassuring ties between Artania's largest economic and military powers, the Foreign Office seems to hope that a "mutually-beneficial" agreement would provide the continent with some much-needed stability.

While the Marquess of Porchey hasn't been a believer in Artanian-wide collaboration through organisations, shaped, like the rest of the rest of the Foreign Office into deep routed skepticism of multilateral organisations, most famously the Artanian Union, but nevertheless, the Foreign Secretary still argued for a "stable core" to "seize the initiative" in collaboration for peacekeeping and diplomatic collaboration in the continent, so as to assure stability. The Foreign Secretary also opened ways of enhancing cultural ties between the two nations through collaboration in the artistic and sport level. 

Military collaboration remains for now, a closed affair and something not pursued by any of the two nations as of now.

[Ligbruderkrieg]

Home Secretary "favourable" to potential repeal of DPSA; bombshell within Cabinet.
May 5648



Fort William - "The Democratic Process Stabilization Act has outlived its purpose", that simple statement from Home Secretary Middleston (Viscount) threw the current governing coaltion into total frenzy and chaos, as the Prime Minister tries to retain unity within his government. During an interview with the Tomorrow Dispatch, the Viscount Middleton, who serves as the Home Secretary within the sitting Windbury administration, expressed his views on the current laws enforced in Luthori, during the interview, he also came to express his views on the uncontroversial DPSA, or so we thought.

The Home Secretary stated that, according to him and in accordance with his views, the DPSA was a "relic of another time", continuing by stressing that the Luthori of the late 5300s and early 5400s wasn't the Luthori of the 5600s, he stated that "the law was passed in accordance with the political issues of the time, with radicals looming over the very stability of the nation", but he argued that after 2 centuries of active enforcement by both the Home Ministry and the Justice Ministry, that radical forces had been defeated and no longer represented a threat to Luthori's democracy nor political system.

He also argued, as a more liberal-minded conservative (nearing libertarianism) that the bill, due to some issues with its writing, gave too much prerogatives to the central government to act against radical groups without much interference from either the legislature or the judiciary, and that the law acted as the "grim reaper of democracy" rather than its guarantor, he stated that "outlawing ideologies because we don't agree with them is the antithesis of democracy, our representative democracy should aim at representing every single Luthorian regardless of political system within its system and try to spark compromises between every political group for the benefit of our nation".

These declarations had the effect of a bomb detonating upon the unity of the government, with the statement from the Home Secretary either receiving support or opposition within the government. Rumours have it that the Prime Minister is favourable towards an abolishment of the Democratic Process Stabilization Act, but the Foreign Secretary (Lord Porchey) remains completely opposed and has threatened his resignation if such a move was pulled out by the cabinet. Backing the Home Secretary is the Chancellor of the Exchequer Potter and supporting the Foreign Secretary are other cabinet ministers fearful of the consequences that would unfold if the law is struck down.

The declarations from the Home Secretary drew controversies around the nation with the debate over the usefulness and moral justification of the DPSA into public circles, some lawyers stated that they intended, if the government doesn't do legislative action to abolish the bill, to sue the government over the disrespect of the Luthorian people's "fundamental rights" of freedom of thought and opinion, arguing that the Democratic Process Stabilization Act isn't constitutional due to breaching the Bill of Rights, the Constitutional Court stated remaining "open" to further discussions upon the legal status of the DPSA and its place within Luthorian law.

The PM's office has been reported to be trying to restore unity within the government at all costs, while Lord Windbury himself seems to be favourable to a "preliminary review" of the bill during a cabinet meeting next week or at any other time, according to trustworthy sources in Number 10. Are we seeing the last days of one of the Empire's most famous and controversial laws? We'll see.

[Ligbruderkrieg]

Government studying cutting LGBTQ+ inclusion funds and reducing inclusion policies at work for minorities in companies.
November 5646 (backdated)



Fort William - Austerity knows no bounds, does it? In its quest for a balanced budget and vowing to its electorate to cut "wasteful" government spending, the Cabinet's new target has become the inclusion programs funded by the Federal government, aiming to appropriately integrate sexual, racial and disabled minorities into the Luthorian workforce and aiming to avoid for these minorities to be the victims of discrimination due to their origin, sexual orientation or illness. Both the Health Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer have focused their respective teams into loosening heavy regulations on the matter for corporations and cutting down on government-run integration program.

The Prime Minister and the rest of the government seems to have been receptive to the austerity proposals and launched a process to begin cutting funds towards government-run program on inclusion, diversity and equality. The Government's first move was to effectively drastically cut the EDI government-funded programs towards entertainment and media, the Government saying that the entertainment industry was "far more able to create diversity programs for inclusion and equality without the intervention of the federal government", according to Culture Secretary McGill, the entertainment industry was one of the example in inclusion programs and the Federal government was only contributing minimally to the overall push from the industry, hence the "necessary" budget cuts to the programs in the entertainment industry. 

According to a spokesperson to the Actors' Guild of Luthori, while the entertainment industry continues to lead the way for diversity and inclusion, it was thanks to the Federal government's push for DEI programs and maintanence of them that the industry was able to become such an example, according to them, the Government cutting down on funding for DEI programs would have "devastating" consequences on the industry and argued that the Cabinet should "reconsider" the decision.

A sentiment shared within many of Luthori's progressive groups, the Radical Democrats attacked the Government's consideration of cutting down DEI programs as being "shameful" and argued that the Cabinet was "more happy to throw the lives of thousand of Luthorians into jeopardy than to address the elephant in the room - the Army", pointing out that the Imperial Army's budget was one of the biggest currently in effect, due to the initiative launched by the Government during the last term and by the National Labour Government during their previous term, leading to a steady ride in military expenditures that never really stopped since the outbreak of the Etxean War.

Nevertheless, with the Cabinet being unwilling to touch to the Army, the victims of the ultraliberal policy of the Government and its quest for a balanced budget is the hardworking Luthorian people and minorities, who are seeing their social protection laws being steadily reduced, who are going to see the employee protection laws being weakened and who are going to see the unilateral cuts into DEI programs, further weakening the poor integration and acceptance of LGBT+, minority and disabled communities into Luthori's society, as the Cabinet also announced reducing the funding for DEI programs within Luthori's public education system.

Already, the National Women's League and the Bubble organisations announced huge rallies in Parliament Square to protest the Government's decision. In universities, cutting down DEI programs has been met with resistance from students and professors alike with the National Scholar Youth League announcing protests to be held in numerous campus to protest the Government's decision.

[Ligbruderkrieg]

Archive: Parliament forms Colonial Reparation Committee in aftermath of Emperor's Hutori visit.
September 5643

Fort William - In the wake of the announcement of Emperor Richard and Empress Valeria's visit in Hutori - and the good publicity and good reception in Bekenial that the visit caused, the Prime Minister and his administration, in a loss of stem since the operation in Yishelem, today announced that - in full collaboration with the Official Opposition, that a Colonial Reparation Committee would be formed in the Senate, where lawmakers, historians and personalities impacted by Luthorian colonial rule in Hutori (as representatives) would be tasked with drafting a comprehensive report on Luthori's colonial past in Hutori and recommendations on how to move forward - these would be then presented to the Home Secretary for approval and then brought forward to Parliament (Senate then Chamber of Representatives).

In hopes of peeling off the progressive voter base, the Prime Minister seems to make a double action by acting upon colonial reparation, a touchy subject that Luthorian diplomats refuse to touch with a ten-foot pole, there is also the diplomatic implication of such a move to be considered, with the Luthorians showing themselves as being open to the subject of addressing its colonial past, its sends a message that Luthori is willing to move forward with other nations as well, namely in Dovani and Seleya. Foreign Secretary Porchey, like former Prime Minister and then Foreign Secretary Andrew Meyer, also preconised that the Empire addresses its colonial past to "remove an unnecessary heavy burden from her shoulders".

In the aftermath of the state visit, the Foreign Secretary, while optimistic about the future state of Trans-Livenian Relations, stated that nonetheless, the issue of addressing Luthori's colonial past is likely a work that "will take decades and will never see completed at the end of his life", but he remained optimistic that addressing these right now, it would be better than never. In the committee that was formed in Parliament, historians and specialists will take a central role in the drafting of a comprehensive report upon Luthorian abuses during the colonial rule in Hutori, with them will be sitting, in an extraordinary occurrence,a representative of the Maschacara tribes, in the person of High Chief Alina Redleaf, Grand Chief of the Assembly Mashacara Nations and Princess Charlotte, youngest sister to the current Hutorian monarch that will be there to represent the Hutorian Crown enforcing treaties between itself (as the embodiment of the Hutorian nation) and the Mashacara tribes.

No current government member will be a member of the Committee, nor will any member of the Shadow Government to leave the committee with "leeway" to draft its report and send to the Government for study and law drafting. The Home Ministry, according to future Committee chairman, former High Commissioner Sir Timothy Falcelles would be concerned with the provisions of the Bill that would be drafted alongside with the Treasury and the Foreign Offices for 'harmonisation' works. According to sources within Number 10, both the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary are 'very interested' with the 'swift' passage of the Bill, as they are coming from low points for the administration that desperately needs victories before the next general election, as opposition polling is currently very good with the unpopularity of the government.

[Ligbruderkrieg]

Imperial Household announces another pregnancy for the Empress; Emperor to attend wedding of Egelion and Nadiya's heirs.
July 5649

Fort William - A decade ago, the Imperial Household had announced the pregnancy of Empress Valeria with Prince William, born in December 5640, now, after a decade, it seems that the Prince of Orange will be welcoming, alongside his parents (the Emperor and Empress) another member within his family, whether it reveals to be a baby brother or a baby sister. The Imperial Household confirmed that the absence of the Empress from the 5639 State Opening of Parliament, where the Emperor was accompanied by his brother, the Grand Duke of Northriding instead of his wife, fueling rumours that the Empress was pregnant again, as the last time that the Emperor's consort didn't attend such a ceremony was during her first pregnancy.

Today, the Imperial Household Ministry confirmed that the Empress was again pregnant, and expecting for March 5650, during that period where the Empress will be unable to conduct public engagements, the Imperial Family would take over the Empress' public event appearances and appear in these said events on her behalf, like what was done during her first pregnancy, with the subtle exception that the Emperor will, this time, not take the bulk of public engagements as it was the case a decade ago.

His Majesty will, for his part, after his wife's pregnancy, attend the wedding of Egelion's Prince of Amateria, Romulo and Princess Anastasia of Rothingren-Traugott-Ludwig, due to be held in May 5650, the Empress will also attend the wedding, as she's expecting for March of next year, and by May, her physicians are expecting that the imperial consort would be able to conduct her public engagements as normal, even though, it was mostly met with disapproval from some physicians who argue that the Empress and Emperor should remain in Luthori and send another member of the Imperial Family to represent Luthori - as a mean to "bond" with their future child and continue his/her development.

The Prime Minister's Office released a small statement congratulating the royal couple on their next born child, stating that "nothing is more beautiful in life, than creating life yourself", other political figures like former Foreign Secretary Porchey, who left the Cabinet due to disagreements with the PM over government policy and perceived "weakness" on cementing conservative values in the Empire. Lord Windbury, now Prime Minister since the better part of a decade, facing a tough re-election challenge and controversies over implementing conservative policies in a more liberal-minded Luthori, even though minted with compromise over some issues to placate the Opposition, has announced that he and Foreign Secretary Pottle would attend the wedding in Egelion. Alongside them will be also other members of the Luthorian imperial family, such as the Grand Duke of Northriding and the Princess Royal, meanwhile, the Prince of Orange is expected to remain in Luthori alongside his brother/sister during his parents' visit in Egelion.

The Imperial Family released a small statement upon the marriage, congratulating both Prince Romulo and Princess Anastasia upon their engagement and another one, asking the press to "respect the Emperor and Empress' privacy and the privacy of the imperial family during Her Majesty's pregnancy". The Imperial Household Ministry also hinted towards a visit of the Emperor and Empress, alongside the Prince of Orange, in Mordusia - in the "foreseeable future".

[Ligbruderkrieg]

Pottle hints at Kundrati-Luthorian Common Defence Agreement and calls for negociations; hopes for deal to be reached.
July 5649



Fort William - In the aftermath of Kundrati President Jozef Otčenás' reelection during the last election in Kundrati, the Luthorian Foreign Office has reached out to the Kundrati Foreign Ministry, hoping to "reach a satisfactory settlement" on the subject of reforming and strengthening the Kundrati-Luthorian Common Defence Agreement, signed with the Government-in-Exile (in Etxea) by Prime Minister Hall. Indeed, Luthorian boots have remained in Kundrati ever since the end of the Second Kundrati War, but, during the Yishelem Crisis, the Luthorian Government announced an unilateral withdrawal plan to be completed by 5650, with 1.700 troops being withdrawn from the Kundrati homeland during the crisis, as of now, from 13.000 soldiers remaining in Kundrati in 5640, the last withdrawal took place 2 years ago, with 1.200 troops coming back home, closing a chapter in both countries' history.

With the withdrawal completed, the Luthorians now faces a different challenge, indeed, the Luthorian and Kundrati Governments, had signed an agreement called the Kundrati-Luthorian Common Defence Agreement (KLCDA), which basically tied both nation in a common defence agreement. The context of the agreement's signature was to reassure the Etxean Government about the Luthorians' willingness to defend Etxea's sovereignty in case of a Fascist Kundrati-led invasion, aiming at reconquering the small island which had broke away from the nation in the following-up of the First Kundrati War, also called the Etxean War, now with Etxea having reconquered the mainland, the viability and usefulness of the Common Defence Agreement has been brought into question by many in Kundrati and Luthori alike, especially considering the anti-Luthorian sentiment being on the rise in Kundrati due to its authorities enabling the rise of such sentiment.

About the rise of such sentiment, the Luthorian Foreign Secretary, John Pottle stated that "the rise of anti-Luthorian sentiment is worrying to say the least, and it would be downright lying to your face to say that the current Kundrati government doesn't have a sense of responsability in helping the rise of such sentiment", but the Foreign Secretary remained optimistic about the future state of negotiations upon a reformed agreement between Kundrati and Luthori, as according to the Foreign Office, such an agreement would be in the interest of both states, as peace would be secured on the two side of the Artanian Sea.

The Luthorian Government outlined that an agreement would see a "perpetual understanding" becoming the norm between Kundrati and Luthori after years of frosty relations which were dominated by Luthori's unconditional support to the Etxean Government, which was recognized by Fort William as the legitimate government of Kundrati. While the Etxean Government returned from exile on the island to the mainland at the end of the Second Kundrati War, the government was quickly flooded by former low-ranking Legionary bureaucrats and politicians, turning the country towards a more conservative path than originally intended, according to some experts, it was only the presence of foreign troops that allowed for the continuation of democracy in the country, even if strongly dominated by right-wing forces.

Due to the Windbury government being far less ideological than the previous Hall ministries, breakthrough in relations was expected to come during this premiership, as political openness became the norm within the Government ever since the denunciation of the Democratic Process Stabilization Act by the Home Secretary in 5648 and the subsequent resignation of Foreign Secretary Porchey, opening the way for reform of the bill - a process supported by the opposition and political rights activists. That context helps to understand, in hopes of justifying the passage of the Bill, that the Cabinet would open up for reconnection with Kundrati, as it was once a base of far-right politics.

In Luthori, the issue are also laying with security. The Luthorian Government also expressed its "great wishes" to form a "strategic partnership" with Kundrati over issues that are "paramount" to both nations, especially related to the Artanian Sea's security. Prime Minister Windbury stated that "collaboration between both nations [Luthori and Kundrati] would be a wonderful news for security in the Artanian Sea", but, for now, the Cabinet stated that its only plans were to work with Kundrati towards a compromise solution over the Agreement.

[Ligbruderkrieg]

Emperor to visit Mordusia during year of Silver Jubilee, highlighting ties between two nations linked by the Crown.
February 5651 (backdated)



Fort William - The Orange Palace announced that both Emperor Richard and Empress Valeria, in their capacity as head of state of Mordusia, would both tour the nation in commemoration of the King-Emperor's accession to the throne in 5627. As both states will be celebrating the monarch's silver jubilee during this period, the Orange Palace extended an offer to the Mordusian Government for the organisation of a state visit in 5652 - something to which the Government in Randworth was opened towards organising.

Mordusian Prime Minister, Michael Hewson officially extended an invitation to the monarchs - with the Palace's advice, to visit the Commonwealth of Mordusia during the month of March 5652 for a week-long state visit and tour in all of the nation' provinces.

This visit would be the royal couple's third visit in Mordusia after the King's first visit in the nation immediately after his ascension and coronation. The King and Queen's second visit - and first visit as a couple in another country was also in Mordusia, where they met with the former Governor-General, Prince Louis. Today, in a dramatically changed nation, the royal couple will try to foster the ancestral link holding between Luthori and Mordusia and that being through their shared monarchies, their shared history and their shared culture.

As such, the royal couple will mostly focus on reassuring cultural links between the former colony and the home nation, by participating and engaging in numerous cultural events reinforcing Mordusia's national identity and remembering the ties linking the nation with the rest of the Luthorian-speaking world. The King and Queen would assist to a game of Mordusian football (if we can even this monstrosity "football") and meeting with numerous heads of associations and charities supported by the Royal Family. 

After an invitation was extended by the Mordusian Government to the King, as their head of state, to conduct the traditional "Speech from the Throne" in place of the Governor-General (directly appointed by the Crown of Mordusia under advice from the Prime Minister), His Majesty will address the Commonwealth's Parliament in an address written and amended by both the King's secretaries and the Mordusian Government, which will be directed at the underlining Luthori and Mordusia's relationship, their shared participation in the so-called "Imperial Confederation" (the Emperor-King's domains beyond the seas) and expressing the [Mordusian] Government's committment to Mordusia's interests by continuing the policies enacted during the first term of Prime Minister Hewson and communicating the [Mordusian] Goverrnment's overall goals for the future.

In a committment of "turning the page" from the Monarchy's image among indigenous populations in her former empire, the King and Queen have been keen to suggest a meeting between them and leaders of the indigenous populations of Mordusia, the Ikpi, represented in the Commonwealth's parliament through the indigenous Ikpi Rights Party, the Ikpi while forming around 9 % of Mordusia's population have never been acknowledged at length by the Crown-in-Mordusia, with these meetings, the King and Queen wishes, according to Rottingham Palace, "spark a new consensus of dialogue between the Monarchy and the populations throughout the Imperial Confederation".

The Mordusian Government also took great interest at collaborating with the Monarchy's bureaucracy here in Mordusia and set up a series of events meant to celebrate the King's 25th Anniversary of his Accession to the throne. The details of the Silver Jubilee in Mordusia shall be revealed at a later date by the Mordusian Government, but celebrations, dinner parties and maybe a military parade akin to Tropping the Colour (celebrating the Emperor's birthday in Luthori) might be organised. Furthermore, the King and Queen expressed "great interest" at discovering "more of a country that always surprises us [Mordusia]", the King will also visit natural reservations where some of the world's rarest animals are preserved in total respect of their natural environment and without much human intervention in the functionment of their natural habitat.

According to the Orange Palace, the motto of this Jubilee will be "Culturae Diversae, Corona Unitae" (Different cultures, united by the Crown), with an approach made towards enlightening the diversity of the Imperial Confederation in terms of culture, yet also enlightening the fact that the Crown is the thing that unites it all.

[Ligbruderkrieg]

Opposition collaborate to create "National Inclusion and Acceptance Day" amid Church criticism and Cabinet divide.
June 5649 (backdated)



Fort William - In a rare display of unity and collaboration, the opposition to the Lord Windbury's government has allied itself with the moderate to progressive forces within the majority to force through a Bill that would create a "National Inclusion and Acceptance Day", which would be held every year on June 14th. The bill, spearheaded by lesbian Labour MP, Johanna McPie and gay Liberal life peer, Micheal Gippies was stated to have been created to "give underrepresented communities their own national day where acceptance of their norms and customs would be widespread", this comes after the Government announced a series of spending cuts upon DEI (Diversity, Equality and Inclusion) programs, seriously jeopardising the position of said sexual minorities in the workforce. 

These two MPs have been steadfast in their critic of the Government's policy of "cutting down the federal government" and have opposed moves from the Government towards further spending cuts or privatisation programs, and their recent cooperation in strengthening the representation of LGBTQ+ communities in Luthori is another way to show their disapproval of the government's policy on social issues. Mr. Gippies stated that the recent cuts on DEI programs backed by the Government on numerous levels was a "travesty" and that the Cabinet's decision would "change for the worst" the lives of numerous Luthorians.

In the Chamber of Representatives, when defending the Bill in front of a mostly empty house, Labour MP, Mrs. Wyatt Day stated that it was "shameful" to see that "none of my [her] colleagues had come up for work today, even though the subject debated today is fundamental for many of our fellow citizens", the Secretary of State for Equalities, Lydia Roberts (Liberal) stated that her department "wans't opposed to the implementation of a national day for all discriminated minorities in the Empire", a statement then quickly supported by both Moderates and Liberal members of the cabinet as well as their respective political parties.

In the Conservative Party though, it was not the same story, with the Party is disarray due to its allies abandoning them to support the Opposition's Bill, Foreign Secretary Porchey was reported to have pleaded with the Prime Minister to "either dissolve the government and call for early election or restore order within the government", other members of the government such as Chancellor of the Exchequer Pottle were more "conciliatory" about their coalition partners siding with the Opposition to push forward this legislation, citing the fact that both parties (the Liberal Party & the Moderates) already opposed the cuts to DEI programs and wouldn't have been convinced into siding with the Government over any other piece of social legislation if the Govt. as a whole didn't reflect or take action to defuse the situation.

The passage of the Bill meant that the line defended by the Chancellor of the Exchequer was convincing enough to force the Leader of the Chamber of Representatives to announce that the coalition parties would be not entangled into the wider government agreement for this particular vote, effectively enacting a "free vote" agreement for this Bill. Both in the Liberal Party and in the Moderates, members of Parliament were told to "not break ranks" and vote alongside party line, which was in favour of creating such a bank holiday and for a break with the Conservatives over this specific issue, in a bid to not cause the collapse of his shaky government coalition, the Prime Minister seems to have agreed to Liberal demands for an overall free vote policy being enacted for all partners.

It has been stated that the Empress of Luthori herself was reportedly "favourable" to the passage of such an Act, opening rumours of an eventual involvement from the Orange Palace in the leading-up process of this bill, with some accusing the Palace of having "influenced" or "threatened" the Prime Minister into "accepting a capitulation" (by the free vote agreement), this line was effectively taken by anti-establishment or republican fringe populists on the internet, with no real mainstream appeal, trying to strike fear and discontent into the Luthorian populace over such an divisive topic. Both the Prime Minister's Office and the Imperial Household refused to even comment on these conspiracies theories, with the Palace merely reaffirming that the Crown was "above politics and acting as a necessary balance of party politics in the Realm".

This statement has fueled conspiracies theories by stating that the monarch was "opposed" to the current direction of the Cabinet to direct the Imperial Household Ministry to release such a statement, which for some, reminds of the Crown's overreaching influence in Luthorian politics, as the Crown is where all authority is derived from. One spokesperson for the Prime Minister described the conspiracies theories as being "baseless and not near the reality".

Nevertheless, the Bill passed with a sizeable majority in the Chamber of Representatives and then passed handily in the Senate, with all Labour MPs voting in favour, as well as the Green MPs in both chambers of Parliament, the Liberals and Moderates, as per with their respective party's orders also voted overwhelmingly in favour, meanwhile in the Conservative Party, things were more complicated, while half of the MPs in the Chamber of Representatives voted in favour of the bill, while the other half voted against. The Conservatives who opposed this Act allied themselves with the Hosian Democrats to counter the law's passage in swift motion, delaying its passage by endless debates. In the Senate, while opposition was more strong from Conservative peers, due to their more conservative nature compared to the moderate Chamber, the law passed nonetheless smoothly, without the issues encountered in the lower house.

The Bill received imperial assent today, with Emperor Richard II officially signing the bill into law during the afternoon. Although numerous LGBTQ+ organisations had been worried about the cuts orchestrated by the Government upon DEI programs, the passage of the law is a sign of relief to them, even though the passage of the Act caused a great deal of uproar in the rightist circles of the political spectrum, with some priests of the Luthorian Church publicly criticising the Bill's passage as a "sin" towards God. LGBTQ International stated that the Cabinet's decision "opened the floodgates for radical anti-gays to resurface within Luthori's political sphere", something that is greatly worrying for the community as hatred towards their way of life will only rise compared to pre-Windbury levels.