[URL Convention] Debate on the Party Platform

[Miestră Schivă, UrN-GC]

All right, check this out.

When this was being drafted pre-merger, we discussed whether we should make a more explicit commitment to including Republican strains of thought. Not that anyone here thinks His Majesty Txec isn't doing a great job! But he might do an equally good job as President Nordselva? Anyway, the idea would not to be become the Republican party, but become the party of "less political monarchy", which was the old ZRT position.

I mean, is anyone in here actually a committed monarchist? Possibly the King's brother :D

A broader question is that I think the program should be minimalist to focus on principles before concrete policies, so that it can have a longer "shelf life" and allow Party leadership to be flexible in concrete policy.

I. A Party of Principles

Free Reformists place progress, democracy, and liberty as their guiding political principles. These mean that every citizen should be able to:

• Take part in a political system that addresses the needs of Talossa's population;
• Campaign for alterations when that system does not address the nation's needs;
• Serve the nation without getting involved in politics;
• Enjoy the Talossan experience as a private citizen; and
• Enjoy a civil and peaceful Talossan life.

II. Talossa's Constitution

Free Reformists believe that political systems must suit the population as opposed to the reverse. We will always support reforms intended to ensure that the structure of the state promotes democracy, liberty, and Talossanity.

Free Reformists support a constitutional model that promotes an active head of state who is accountable to the citizenry, puts the national interest ahead of personal interests, and serves the nation, as opposed to acting as its owner.

Free Reformists believe that the role of Talossa's head of state is to act as a promoter of national unity and our face to the world. In this regard, we support a smaller political role for the King and open-ended discussion on whether a lifetime monarchy is our best option.

Free Reformists support a Senäts elected at-large, preferably by Single Transferable Vote. In conjunction with this, we support reforms to ensure some measure of provincial representation in the Cosӑ.

Free Reformists support efforts to revitalize provincial activity, including supporting provincial mergers where sensible.

III. Talossan Law

To best support Talossan democracy, our laws must be simple enough for all citizens to understand them; this enables as many as possible to engage with and serve in Talossa's state institutions. On the other hand, tasks which require technical expertise should be reserved for the strictly apolitical Royal Civil Service.

No political office should require technical expertise to hold; these aspects of administration should instead be overseen by Civil Service officers to assist.

Civil Service roles should be well-documented in order to provide a smooth transition between holders.
Both generally and especially concerning the Civil Service, Talossa's Honours system should be used to incentivize public service and recognize achievement.

Clear rules should be in place to prevent political and apolitical roles from interfering for those who wish to hold both.

Free Reformists advocate an incremental approach to reform, keeping each change measurable to determine its impact.

Free Reformists support efforts to broaden Talossa's international relations with other micronations, provided these nations align with our national values of liberal democracy and respect for human rights.

IV. Culture and Talossan Life

Free Reformists support a culture that grows organically, without interference or direction from the state. The Ministry of Culture should work with citizens and private organizations to encourage the growth of Talossan culture; while this may involve grants from the Ministry's budget, it should never place cultural growth under Government direction.

'N naziun sanc glheþ, c'è 'n naziun sanc coraziun. The Talossan Language is one of our hallmarks of national identity, which separates us from all other nations and national projects. We envision a Talossa in which all citizens learn and use the national language to some extent, and support Government efforts to encourage greater proficiency in our nation's most valuable cultural facets.

Free Reformists recognize that one of the chief ways in which Talossans are excluded from activity is by bullying and harassment from their fellow citizens. While we cannot (and should not) criminalize this behavior, we support empowering Wittenberg moderators to more effectively uphold the rules of "Wittiquette" without themselves becoming targets of such behavior. We support treating all Talossans, both within and outside the political sphere, with dignity and respect, and advocate for taking "the high road" wherever possible.

[Mic’haglh Autófil, O.Be]

Especially since this was drafted, we have had discussions about the provincially-elected Senate being especially entrenched, so that portion may no longer be viable. What if we were to replace it with something about supporting a house-of-review role for the Senate, especially if including Antaglha's suggestion of allowing the Senate to suggest amendments to the bill?

In theory this could also be accomplished by tweaking the rules regarding "only one bill on a given subject per Cosa term", but we're more concerned at this point with a question of principles than processes, I'm just thinking out loud.

[Miestră Schivă, UrN-GC]

I like that. If we want to boil it down to a general principle, it would be "to improve the efficiency and quality of legislation". We want general principles foremost, with the details to be filled in as and when necessary.

[Mic’haglh Autófil, O.Be]

In formal terms:

That Section II of the URL Platform be modified by the replacement of the phrase:

Free Reformists support a Senäts elected at-large, preferably by Single Transferable Vote. In conjunction with this, we support reforms to ensure some measure of provincial representation in the Cosӑ.

with the following:

Free Reformists support reforms to improve the quality of legislation adopted by the Ziu and improve the efficiency and democratic character of the legislative process.

This also address two issues at once, since it also covers changes to the CRL (something I think we should avoid letting fall by the wayside).

[Miestră Schivă, UrN-GC]

Going to give 24 hours for any other suggested amendments.

If there aren't any, to save time I'll suggest a preferential vote, between:

program WITH this amendment
program WITHOUT this amendment
reject the program

[Miestră Schivă, UrN-GC]

VOTING NOW OPEN ON PARTY PLATFORM FOR 72 HOURS

Please indicate whether:

OPTION 1) you support this program without amendments;

OPTION 2) you support this platform with the addition of this amendment;

OPTION 3) you reject the platform and want us to start again.

[GV]

VOTING NOW OPEN ON PARTY PLATFORM FOR 72 HOURS

Please indicate whether:

OPTION 1) you support this program without amendments;

OPTION 2) you support this platform with the addition of this amendment;

OPTION 3) you reject the platform and want us to start again.

I vote for Option TWO. - GV

[Mic’haglh Autófil, O.Be]

Option 2

Option 1

Option 3

[Miestră Schivă, UrN-GC]

Option 2

Option 1

Option 3

[Antaglha Xhenerös Somelieir]

Option 2

Option 1

Option 3

[Miestră Schivă, UrN-GC]

Option 2 passes unanimously.

The Party Platform is adopted, including this amendment.