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Political Issues
At any given time, there are a number of major issues in the public consciousness of New England's people. Many are local issues that are resolved within the community or by the county council. On larger issues, a national approach is taken, often with the media reporting the issues that is brought before them. Once reported, people form opinions on a range of issues and lobby their local MP for a resolution. In other cases, the individual will lobby directly to an MP.
Issues
The following issues have been the most provocative and significant in the history of New England since 2012. Many have been ongoing for the duration of New England's existence, while others come and go with the regular cycles of life and society. The issues, in alphabetical order, are:
Border Dispute - The border dispute with Australia has been a major issue since the Treaty of Wellington was signed in 2011. The inability of both sides to find a solution peacefully was a major factor in the 2032 Five Day War. Today still, the issue is outstanding, and generates much friction within the community about how best to handle the matter of gaining the territory owed to New England by the Treaty.
Drugs - New England is fortunate to have never suffered a major 'drug epidemic' on the scale seen in other parts of the West. That said, policy makers have long held that one life lost to drugs is one too many, and the cost to society in terms of productivity lost through suffering and death is too high to ignore. Today's drug policy represents an attempt to alleviate the suffering caused by drugs.
Foreign Relations - Since independence, New England has established diplomatic relations with 178 countries. Of that number, more than 90 have an embassy or high commission in Armidale. The most significant relations have been with the Australia, European Union, New Zealand and the United States. In terms of membership, New England is a member of the Commonwealth, Pacific Union and the United Nations.
Graffiti - Problems with vandalism dogged New England's cities and towns in the early years of independence. Today, with a concerted effort and many unusual ideas, graffiti and other forms of vandalism have been eliminated. As a result, New England is considered to be cleaner and it's urban centres are far more attractive to live in.
Republicanism - It came as a surprise to many that New England was established as a constitutional monarchy in 2012. Elements of the militia resisted the plan to create a monarchy and so formed the base of New England's small republican movement. The monarchy has proved popular, and today republicans number less than 10% of the population.
Events
In addition to range of issues that often enter the public debate, there are occasionally major events and scandals that can bring about a major change in the political landscape of the nation. The events, in chronological order, are:
2014 Access Dispute - An access treaty to give lorries and trains access along the Pacific Corridor between Newcastle and Brisbane was expected to be negociated after independence. Problems occurred when it became apparent how much damage the Australian lorries were causing to New England's roads. This was exacerbated when a family of five were killed on the Pacific Highway in early 2013 by a speeding Australian lorry. In what was termed a 'maintenance levy', all Australian lorries were charged a $4.00 toll to enter New England and a further $4.00 to leave at the other end. Outraged, the Australians sealed the border and refused to allow any vehicle into the country. In response, the New Englanders withdrew from the negotiations for the Pacific Corridor and declared it closed.
2026 Banks Scandal - The early achievements of the Gates Government were undermined in late 2026, when it was revealed that a number of leading government MP's had been involved in plans to allow Australian banks to buy out their New England competitors and had on several occasions allowed Executive Council documents to be stolen in return for kickbacks from the banks. The scandal rocked the government and led to it's fall in the House of Assemby.
2033 Aberdeen Affair -
2042 Loans Affair -
2049 Outing of Crown Prince Alexander - The popularity the monarchy, which had always been high, was tested when Prince Alexander, the Duke of Duval and the heir to the throne, was outed as gay in the Australian media in late 2046. But the New England public had long since moved on from such concerns and rallied behind the prince. With the support of the King and his government, as well as the people, the prince married Simon Chamberlain in 2050. In the eyes of many social commentators, the transition of New England from a backward Australian orphan to a sophisticated defender of European values was well on the way.
| Politics of New England | ||
| Polticial Issues | ||
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| Topics: Border Dispute · Drugs · Education · Health · Law & Order · Republicanism · Taxation · Urban Planning Foreign Relations: Australia · New Zealand · Pacific Union · United States Political Scandals: Access Dispute · Banks Scandal · Aberdeen Affair · Loans Affair · Royal Outing |
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