[Redquill, Neridia] The Second UDM Convention, 1668

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Ernesto de la Cruz
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[Redquill, Neridia] The Second UDM Convention, 1668

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The Union Democratic Movement is celebrating its second party convention in the city of Redquill, Neridia.

Currently led by Ernesto de la Cruz, with the full endorsement from the new Countess of Frenzyville, the party is meeting at the Redquill Convention Center. Close to 87,000 people have come from all over Natopia to settle important issues inside the party.

With the general elections underway in the Most Serene Union, the party will need to elect a Chairman of the Convention, ratify a party constitution, elect a Party Leader, and approve the platform for the party - the final blueprint for the ideas of the UDM.
Ernesto de la Cruz
Chancellor of the Bovic Empire of the Natopian Nation
Member of the Frenzy
Most Serene Union of Demesnes, Natopia
Lord High Steward and First Secretary of the Most Serene Government (1663-1668)
Dos Gardenias, New Alexandria

(Member of the Central Committee of Edgards.)

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Ernesto de la Cruz
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Re: [Redquill, Neridia] The Second UDM Convention, 1668

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Benediction
A non-denominational prayer is given with representatives of the three great Union religions: Bovinism, Melusinianism, and the Alexandrian Church.

Party Provisional Chairman Call to Order.
MARIA MEIR: "The Second Convention of the Union Democratic Movement is called to order."

Election of the Chair of the UDM Convention.

1st Round
DELORS, Frederic (Triegon) 42,984, (57.22%)
AGUILAR, Martina 29,877, (39.77%)
OTHERS, 2,258, (3.01%)
Party Provisional Chairman transfers Convention gavel to the newly elected Chair of the UDM Convention.

Chair Call to Order.

DELORS: "The 2nd Convention of the Union Democratic Movement is now officially open. Convened here in the city of Redquill, the UDM Convention has in its agenda many items - ratify a party constitution, elect a Party Leader, and approve the platform for the party.

The eyes of the country are upon us. I pray that the wisdom of your deities are with you and that they guide us during our deliberations."
Ernesto de la Cruz
Chancellor of the Bovic Empire of the Natopian Nation
Member of the Frenzy
Most Serene Union of Demesnes, Natopia
Lord High Steward and First Secretary of the Most Serene Government (1663-1668)
Dos Gardenias, New Alexandria

(Member of the Central Committee of Edgards.)

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Ernesto de la Cruz
Posts: 60
Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2018 3:11 pm

Re: [Redquill, Neridia] The Second UDM Convention, 1668

Post by Ernesto de la Cruz »

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Constitution of the Union Democratic Movement


ARTICLE 1. Foundation of the Union Democratic Movement.
1. This is a political party, headquartered in the cities of Lindstrom and Dos Gardenias, and central offices in Redquill, St. Andre, Frenzyville, Triegon, and Marmont.
2. This political party is officially called the Union Democratic Movement (or 'the political party') and is the successor to the Democratic Alliance.
3. The political party is composed of all of its members, memberships duly registered and in good standing with the political party.
4. The political party shall have a motto, "rex et patria", "King and country", with the King referring to the Emperor of Natopia.

ARTICLE 2. Membership.
1. Any adult Natopian subject not otherwise serving a judicial sentence is eligible for membership.
2. Membership is completed upon enrollment in the Member Registry by the Party Leader or the Party Secretary by purchasing a party membership. Prices are set by the Party Leader but approved by the Party's Executive Committee first.
3. A party member may be expelled for cause by a majority vote of the Party Conference, or for disloyalty to the party, by a three-fourths majority of all the members of the Party Executive Committee.
4. A party member may resign membership by written instrument addressed to the Party Leader or the Party Secretary.

ARTICLE 3. Leadership.
1. There shall be a Leader of the Union Democratic Movement (or 'Party Leader'), who shall be the head of the political party for all purposes in governance and the Chair of the Party's Executive Committee, also serving as the Party's nominee for Chancellor of Natopia.
2. The nomination for Chancellor of Natopia may be separated or severed from the position of Party Leader by a majority vote of the Party Convention. Separation would trigger a new election for party nominee for Chancellor of Natopia.
3. There shall be a Chairman of the Union Democratic Movement (or 'Party Chairman'), who shall be the chief coordinator of the party with demesnial and local governments, and the elections thereof, and who shall serve as Vice Chair of the Executive Committee.
4. There shall be a Deputy Leader of the Union Democratic Movement (or 'Deputy Leader', who shall act as the head of the Legislative Caucus and Whip in the Chamber of Deputies and shall be responsible for the coordination of legislation. The Deputy Leader shall have a seat on the Executive Committee, and shall, whenever the political party shall hold the Office of Chancellor of Natopia, be recommended to the Sovereign to a position in the Government.

ARTICLE 4. Executive Committee.
1. The Statutory Members of the Executive Committee are:
  • The Party Leader;
  • The Party Chairman;
  • The Party Deputy Leader;
  • The Chief Party Whip.
2. Statutory Members may not be dismissed from the Committee unless they lose their positions through incompetence, resignation, or incapacitation; whether voluntary or compelled by a three-fourths majority of the remainder of the Executive Committee.
3. Additionally, the Party Leader and Party Chairman shall each appoint one (1) Member to the Executive Committee, who shall serve at their leisure.

ARTICLE 5. Party Convention.
1. A Party Convention of the Union Democratic Movement Conference (or 'Party Convention') shall be held regularly, called by the Party Chairman and Executive Committee every 5 AN years.
2. Extraordinary Party Conventions may be held if the Executive Committee so decides by a simple majority vote, defined hereafter as more than half of the votes cast plus one vote.
3. There shall be a Chairman of the Party Convention that will organize the Convention and serve as its impartial chairman.
4. The first Order of Business for a Party Convention should always be the election via a simple majority of its Chairman, with a vote conducted by the Party Chairman.
5. Only the Party Convention can amend this Constitution, and by a simple majority.
6. Only the Party Convention can repudiate this Constitution and ratify a new one, and by a simple majority.
7. The Party Leadership shall be elected by the Party Convention every 5 AN years, and by simple majority.
8. The Party Platform shall be approved by the Party Convention every 5 AN years, and by simple majority.

ARTICLE 6. Eligibility of Candidacy to Party Leadership.
1. Eligibility of candidacy to any office leading the Union Democratic Movement shall be determined by Seniority, using the following factors as determinants:
  • a. Length of Membership in the Party;
    b. Prior Service in the Imperial Government;
    c. Prior Service in the Most Serene Union's Government;
    d. Prior Service in the Judiciary;
    e. Prior Service in the Military;
    6. Prior Service in any other Government Capacity;
    f. Post Count;
    g. Coin Toss.
2. Where its application is not obviously detrimental, seniority shall be the primary determining factor in the application process for Party office.

ARTICLE 7. Removal of Party Leadership.
1. Any Member of the Party may move to remove any officer from their office, and such motion shall state clearly the particular reasons for the motion to remove the officer, and the motion shall require two seconds.
2. A period of 48 Hours shall then be allotted for a debate of the entire party to discuss the motion, and following this a 48 hour period for voting shall be conducted, those voting Aye vote to remove the officer, those voting nay vote to keep the officer in office.

ARTICLE 8. Local Party Organizations.
Aside from the National Party, there shall be Demesnial and Local Party Organizations, each shall have their own Executive Committees, consisting of a chairman and 4 other members, and they shall keep a count of the persons who claim membership in their geographic area, and they shall conduct votes for primaries as set out in Article 3.

ARTICLE 9. Candidates for Office.
1. Any Candidate who shall stand for election in the name of the political party must be a member of the political party, and must affirm that they subscribe to the views of the political party and its platform.
2. If there shall be more than one candidate for an office, they shall each collect a petition of party members in the geographic area, numbering at least 5% of the total membership for the area, and the Local Party Organizations shall take a vote, listing on the ballot each candidate attaining a petition of 5%. In cases of indirectly elected offices, such as the Ministers, this method shall not apply.
Ernesto de la Cruz
Chancellor of the Bovic Empire of the Natopian Nation
Member of the Frenzy
Most Serene Union of Demesnes, Natopia
Lord High Steward and First Secretary of the Most Serene Government (1663-1668)
Dos Gardenias, New Alexandria

(Member of the Central Committee of Edgards.)

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Ernesto de la Cruz
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Re: [Redquill, Neridia] The Second UDM Convention, 1668

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Debate on the Party Coinstitution continued for 3 hours. The party body became virtually unanimous in its eventual support of the current draft after several amendments and compromises.

Chair Calls Convention to Order.

DELORS: "We shall now proceed to a vote, debate has ended."
YES: 62,458, (83.15%)
NO: 11,874, (15.81%)
ABSTAIN: 787, (1.05%)
Ernesto de la Cruz
Chancellor of the Bovic Empire of the Natopian Nation
Member of the Frenzy
Most Serene Union of Demesnes, Natopia
Lord High Steward and First Secretary of the Most Serene Government (1663-1668)
Dos Gardenias, New Alexandria

(Member of the Central Committee of Edgards.)

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Ernesto de la Cruz
Posts: 60
Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2018 3:11 pm

Re: [Redquill, Neridia] The Second UDM Convention, 1668

Post by Ernesto de la Cruz »

FACTIONS OF THE UNION DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT


The Union Democratic Movement has a variety of internal factions or ideologies within its ranks.

The growth of the party over the last decade has brought many schools of thought and factions together under a large political tent, centered on many common principles such as:
- the classical liberal view of minimal government intervention in the economy;
- individuals being free to participate in the market and generate wealth for themselves and their families without too much government interference;
- a state strong enough to preserve the freedoms and rights of the people, while maintaining law and order and nurturing the growth and stability of social institutions to cultivate a sense of duty and responsibility to the nation;
- strong support for civil liberties and human rights.

The factions of the Union Democratic Movement are:
  • The Traditionalists: (Roughly 14% of the party.) The Traditionalists are a key constituency inside the Union Democratic Movement. They stand for the Three Principles: Bous, Emperor, and Flag. They refer to their special respect for the Bovic church (without detriment to the free practice of religion in Natopia), loyalty to the Emperor of Natopia and House Waffel-Paine, and the establishment and preservation of a strong unitary state under the Emperor.
  • The Union Conservatives: (Roughly 47% of the party.) The Union Conservatives have been the dominant party faction since the founding of the party. The faction takes a more broad yet pragmatic conservative stance: belief in social cohesion, supporting social institutions that maintain social harmony and unity, fierce defense of individual civil liberties, constant advocacy for a "peace through strength" approach to national defense, unitary state under the Emperor, and a commitment to the Raspur Pact - especially with Constancia.
  • The Free Market Liberals: (Roughly 28% of the party.)After the Union Conservatives, the Free Market Liberals are the second largest grouping. Their goal is to reduce the role of the government in the economy and to this end they support cuts in direct taxation, the privatization of nationalized industries, and an approach to the welfare state that focuses on improving social mobility and "self-realization", a core philosophy to the Free Market Liberals centered around the search of an individual to constantly improve, grow, and learn.
  • The Progressive Unionists: (Roughly 11% of the party.) The Progressive Unionists are a key constituency, composed of moderates that combine conservative and progressive ideas and policies to advocate for greater spending on science, economics, education, technology, and medicine, with a belief that they are necessary to improve human living condition and build a stronger, more cohesive Union. They are considered more moderate in that they believe instant and rapid change is not always the best approach, and can sometimes be damaging to society, therefore cautious change is necessary as long as it fits in with the national social and political traditions.
Please note that not all members of the UDM can be easily placed within one of the above groupings.
Ernesto de la Cruz
Chancellor of the Bovic Empire of the Natopian Nation
Member of the Frenzy
Most Serene Union of Demesnes, Natopia
Lord High Steward and First Secretary of the Most Serene Government (1663-1668)
Dos Gardenias, New Alexandria

(Member of the Central Committee of Edgards.)

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Ernesto de la Cruz
Posts: 60
Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2018 3:11 pm

Re: [Redquill, Neridia] The Second UDM Convention, 1668

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BACKGROUND
After the Constitution was ratified, the next point of business was the election of a Party Leader, along with the rest of the leadership of the party.

Ernesto de la Cruz was the anointed successor of Benjamin Meir, the late Count of Frenzyville and founder of the party. He succeeded Meir as Lord High Steward of the Most Serene Union (akin to a Prime Minister or the head of a provincial government) and is generally considered to have been an unremarkable yet effective leader.

The biggest crime in politics in the Most Serene Union, a place the retail politics style of campaigning is particularly effective and a political tradition, is being an unremarkable politician.

Ernesto's style has always been more traditional, calm, collected, and zen. This made it tough for his campaign managers and marketers to build an exciting narrative to sell to voters and motivate them to come out in droves for the UDM. All they could do was focus on his competence, experience, and record, and hope that voters would buy another five years of experienced leadership.

A young member of the Chamber of Deputies, Elena Gautier from Triegon, New Alexandria, had a different plan in mind.

Attacking de la Cruz as an out of touch, elitist leader, she has mounted a challenge to him as he seeks to win another shot at the leadership of the party. She has won key endorsements in the weeks leading up to the Convention. It's still not entirely clear how strong Gautier's challenge is - many expect de la Cruz to survive. But Gautier won't go down without a fight.

Soon after Gautier's challenge, a Deputy from Redquill, Janus Galahan, entered the race for Party Leader. This led to divisions growing more inside the UDM.

Before the start of the Convention, the demesnes of Thalassa, Neridia, and St. Andre had competing slates of delegates, each slate pledged to one of the candidates, attempting to be seated at the Convention. Some of these delegate credential fights went to the floor of the convention, where votes were held to determine which slates of delegates representing Thalassa, Neridia, and St. Andre would be seated at the convention.

In Thalassa and St. Andre, de la Cruz's slate was seated. But in Neridia, Gautier managed to win a particularly bruising fight to get their slate seated.

FACTIONAL SUPPORT:
- The Union Conservatives are mostly supporting Ernesto de la Cruz, with some small pockets of resistance that support Janus Galahan.
- The Free Market Liberals are split between Ernesto de la Cruz and Elena Gautier.
- The Traditionalists support Janus Galahan.
- The Progressive Unionists support Ernesto de la Cruz.
Ernesto de la Cruz
Chancellor of the Bovic Empire of the Natopian Nation
Member of the Frenzy
Most Serene Union of Demesnes, Natopia
Lord High Steward and First Secretary of the Most Serene Government (1663-1668)
Dos Gardenias, New Alexandria

(Member of the Central Committee of Edgards.)

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Ernesto de la Cruz
Posts: 60
Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2018 3:11 pm

Re: [Redquill, Neridia] The Second UDM Convention, 1668

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THE CONVENTION VOTES ON PARTY LEADER

In the end, the UDM re-elected Ernesto de la Cruz as its party leader.

Despite fiery opposition coming from a well organized Gautier and a well funded Galahan, de la Cruz made it through the first ballot with a majority of the voting delegates, well ahead of Gautier and Galahan:
1ST ROUND
GALAHAN: 6,123 (8.15%)
GAUTIER: 28,462 (37.89%)
DE LA CRUZ: 40,025 (53.28%)
NONE: 509 (0.68%)
Ernesto de la Cruz
Chancellor of the Bovic Empire of the Natopian Nation
Member of the Frenzy
Most Serene Union of Demesnes, Natopia
Lord High Steward and First Secretary of the Most Serene Government (1663-1668)
Dos Gardenias, New Alexandria

(Member of the Central Committee of Edgards.)

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Ernesto de la Cruz
Posts: 60
Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2018 3:11 pm

Re: [Redquill, Neridia] The Second UDM Convention, 1668

Post by Ernesto de la Cruz »

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THE CONVENTION VOTES ON PARTY CHAIRMAN

The heated race for Party Leader soon spilled over to the rest of the leadership election. Supporters of each of the Leader candidates assembled slates for the positions of Party Chairman, Deputy Leader, and Chief Whip.

After the Convention confirmed and certified the election of Ernesto de la Cruz, de la Cruz reached out to Galahan and Gautier, appealing to party unity ahead of the important MSU general elections. Galahan and Gautier endorsed both a candidate chosen by de la Cruz to serve as Deputy Party Leader. But the position of Party Chairman would be contested by a candidate from the Galahan and Gautier campaigns, with de la Cruz withholding endorsement.

Representing Galahan supporters was Manuel Garcia. Representing Gautier supporters was Jeanne Bourbonne.
1ST ROUND
BOURBONNE: 34,587, (46.04%)
GARCIA: 33,299, (44.33%)
NONE: 7,233, (9.63%)
With no candidate achieving a majority, the second round of voting begins, which saw the defection of key constituencies from Garcia for Bourbonne:
2ND ROUND
BOURBONNE: 40,125, (53.42%)
GARCIA: 29,987, (39.92%)
NONE: 5,007, (6.67%)
Ernesto de la Cruz
Chancellor of the Bovic Empire of the Natopian Nation
Member of the Frenzy
Most Serene Union of Demesnes, Natopia
Lord High Steward and First Secretary of the Most Serene Government (1663-1668)
Dos Gardenias, New Alexandria

(Member of the Central Committee of Edgards.)

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