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Republicanism
The Republican Movement is a political campaign to replace the country's existing status as a constitutional monarchy with a republican form of government consisting of a democratically elected President as the head of state in New England. This would sever the historical ties with the Monarchy.
The movement can trace its origins back to factions within the United Militia of New England during the Civil War, but it did not enjoy widespread support. Today, about 10% of New Englanders favour the abolition of the Monarchy in one form or another.
Reasons
It has been argued that several characteristics of the monarchy are in conflict with the modern values of New England. The hereditary nature of the monarchy is said to conflict with egalitarianism and a historical dislike of inherited privilege, although such arguments are no longer used. The laws of succession are held by some to be incompatible with choosing a head of state on the basis of merit and talent. Furthermore, some consider the comments by the King on religious faith to be inappropriate for a person who is supposed to lead the entire nation.
Monarchists claim that the succession of an apolitical head of state provides a far more stable constitutional system compared to one involving appointing or electing a president who is likely to have a political agenda. Also, the personal opinions and views of the King and other members of the royal family have been widely praised by leaders from all sides of politics and have been an important part in establishing a nation with stable community minded values.
Factions
- Monarchist League
- Republican Coalition
- Non-Aligned
Beginnings
Republicanism can be traced back to first months of the Civil War when the United Militia of New England began to formulate it's policy positions on the sort of government New England would have after she became independent. It was assumed that New England would become a republic, with a president acting as a figurehead only and holding limited constitutional powers. The first draft of the constitution of New England carried these references. The more immediate struggles of the conflict forced the militia to suspend policy development in late 2007, and the matter was left in limbo.
In 2010, with the militia firmly in control of the region, the rebels turned back to the policy sphere and began to think about how the government of the new nation would be framed. From the first meeting of the government committee it was obvious that the majority of delegates no longer saw a republic as an appropriate form of government. The desire to see a significant check on the executive was a primary motivation, as was the desire to create immediate stability. Presidential election on top of those for parliament carried a heightened risk of violence or fraud, and so the decision of consider other options was back on the table.
In 2011, just after the signing of the Treaty of Wellington, the first constitutional convention was convened. Dominated by members of the militia, the convention spent six weeks vigorously debating the merits of each form of government. A figurehead as head of state was readily agreed on, as was the formation of parliament and executive council to oversee the function of the civil service. The debate for what form the head of state would be was however, very acrimonious, with bitter divisions opening up in the militia's newly formed political wing, the United Party. Monarchists, led by Jonathon Braddock were determined to place Michael Williams on a throne, while republicans led by Tony Smith were prepared to fight for a democratically elected president.
Braddock wished to reward Williams for his loyalty to the cause, and also to acknowledge that he was the only person in the militia that had the full support of the various fractions. Smith, a far-left radical who came late to the movement in 2009, saw Braddock's move as classic nepotism, with his being carried out not by a sense of what was good for the country, but instead by obvious expectation that when Williams became King he would "scratch his old friends back" and make him the first First Minister of the nation. Braddock challenged Smith as being out of line, declaring that the decision of who would be First Minister was the people's choice, with Williams acting as adjudicator if things got nasty. Discredited, Smith stormed out of the convention, allowing the matter to be put to a series of votes on the floor on the 13th January 2012, with the monarchists triumphing with an absolute majority of 92%.
With independence coming in October 2012, opposition to Michael becoming King was tempered, but a simmering opposition to the notion of monarchy remained. The debate proved to be so acrimonious that several of the key figures in the early push for a republic left New England to settle overseas, and never returned. Smith for example, wrote in his memoirs:
"Such an unjust outcome has destroyed the blood sacrifice of the rebellion. The hard work that went in to making New England a new society, free of the baggage of times past, was simply swept away in an orgy of nepotism and self involvment by the leaders of the militia"
Despite the vocal opposition by a small minority, Michael became King on the 1st Octover 2012, and took the oath on the balcony of the new Parliament House in Armidale.
Witans
Witans are automatically convened after the death of the monarch. The convocation is brought together to elect a new monarch, bestow the title of Duke of Duval on the heir and set the privy budget of the royal household for the duration of the reign.
All of the Witans that have convened since 2018 have involved some debate on the abolition of the monarchy. The 2018 convention and the 2021 Witan saw the matter defeated in general debate on the floor of the house. The two Witans convened to elect a new monarch have seen a greater debate however.
Republicanism Today
Today, the republican cause remains, but is not an issue that generates much debate or passion in the community. Despite the best efforts of the republican Progressives and Democratic Alliance, the matter is always defeated in the Witan by the coalition of monarchist parties known as the Monarchist League. The League, made up New England's three largest parties, are able to defeat any push for a republic with an absolute majority, therefore ensuring debate is short.
About 10% of New Englanders express some support for the abolition of the monarchy. Not all of these are republicans, with about 2% favouring reunification with Australia and others still wishing for union with New Zealand. With those figures taken into account, only 7% of New Englanders would approve of a republic if the matter were put to a vote. The issue is therefore seldom discussed and apart from the occasion rumble during a Witan, does not enter the political mainstream with any regularity. The King is very popular, with 93% of people approving of his reign. Crown Prince Alexander is also extremely popular, with 89% happy with his charity efforts and the eventual succession to the throne. He did not suffer the dip in support that many thought would come when he married Simon Chamberlain in 2050.
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