Esthursian News Home

National emergency address held by Harold Osborne

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Recent incursion of Aurorean aircraft into Scalvian airspace has forced reaction from Atlish government

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Harold Osborne has stated:
Rosemary Manning has called for conservatives, liberals and socialists alike to "put their differences aside to send a joint message of condemnation to the Auroreans, and show them that Esthursia, and the world at large, are not convinced by their brutish and fear-stoking actions, in standing with Scalvia".

Weskerby Constabulary leaders resign after accusation of Marylebone cover-up

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It is looking increasingly likely that Marylebone was murdered, says Elizabeth Albany, Redethegn for Home

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The Constabulary of Weskerby - who patrol across the greater area of the City of Weskerby - are holding their heads in shame today, after their entire leadership was "ushered out of the premises".

Headling of the Constabulary, Barney Jenson, has stated that his position was "untenable following the unfortunate reckonings of the last few days", and refused to deny that the Home Redery was behind the move to force out the Constabulary leadership. The Headling, Head Speerer, and two Speerers have all stepped aside, whilst another Speerer and his team have recused themselves from duty for two weeks and from the case.

The Institute for Speering and Inlooking's (ISI) Policing Department has stated:

Union of Unions accepts "real 3% plus" plan after three months of tense negotiation

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Highest set of pay rises for low-ranking workers as Government finally breaks deadlock with unions

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Over the next four years, a worker who is earning ſ20,000 - a low-medium wage in Esthursia - ($30,700) can expect a pay rise of 6% plus inflation each year, leaving their wage level at ſ25,250 ($38,800) in real 2022 prices. A worker earning ſ40,000 - a slightly above median wage - ($61,400) should expect real 4% rises yearly, leaving pay at ſ46,800 ($71,900) in real 2022 prices. A worker earning ſ60,000 - a high, professional wage - ($92,100) would expect real raises of 3% yearly, leaving pay at ſ67,530 ($103,700) in real 2022 terms. With private businesses facing union negotiations with this as a "minimum demand", and the public sector set to roll these nearly across the board, wage growth is set to reach unprecedented levels not seen since the early 2000s under the early Harding Boom; with inflation predicted to be between 2 and 3% for the next four years, wage growth could "nudge the seven-to-eight percent region" before the mid-2020s.

On the issue of prices, the government's consumer ombudsman has confirmed that it will be tracking "wholesale prices" and "consumer prices", stating:
This comes after three months of negotiation between the Union of Unions - who rejected the Government's initial plans for a flat 2%-plus-inflation "base rate rise" just before the elections - and the Government itself. The Chancellor, Jeremy Wilson, was reportedly weighing in consistently to "push the government's offer up", including agreeing to the initial stipulation for any pay rise to include inflation. Wilson himself spoke after the offer was confirmed by both Unions and the Government:
Our political editor, Edgard Alburgh, was more sceptical of the negotiations:

Levelyn Hallows celebrates 500 years since Levelyn's Axfaring

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The "Elder Hallows", or Levelyn Hallows, celebrates 500 years since Levelyn reached Ravenscroft and incited the Merthing revolution

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In 1509, the death of Elrede "the Fair" began the demise of the Classical Empire - both, at first, into moral and administrative tyranny, and then into disorder and dismantling. In 1500, the Classical Empire had total control over the entirety of modern Esthursia, and had forged the borders that Esthursia remains in to this day; by 1600, no lands were under direct control by the Empire, by this point rendered to bands of rampaging mercenaries.

The formation of the Royal Union - between the town of Ravenscroft and the burgh of Brantley - on the "twegnth of Meadmonth, fifteen-hundred and twegnty-two", or 500 years ago today, began the start of the revolution. The Axfaring of Levelyn (Llewellyn in his native Vulgar Cumbric, corrupted by his association and later adoption of Early Atlish) marked the start of a civil war in which an increasingly power-crazed and disorganised Empire disintegrated under the strain of outdated and unnecessarily arbitrary rule, public discontent boiling into open rebellion and the Loresteads' Rising in the 1520s starting in Sutton and Ravenscroft, spreading across Esthursia as intellectuals fled and rebelled against persecution.

Every year, on the 2th of Meadmonth - especially thanks to its proximity to Midsummer, two days prior - Ravenscroft holds a ceremony in Levelyn Hallows both privately in the evening and more publicly earlier in the day to commemorate the date, known as Levelynstide, or simply "The Day". This year, owing to its significance as the 500th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Union - which persists as the Union of Grand Esthursia to this day - attendance is at an all-time high, with "two to three million" flocking to Ravenscroft over the weekend to attempt to attend either the Day itself or simply be in the burgh where it all began.

Levelyn Hallows holds a twin celebration with Levelyn Hallows in the Lorestead of Sutton, where similarly Levelynstide is celebrated, similarly an equivalent number has attended and shares the same name.

Osborne's Esthursia: Regions left behind

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Osborne's famous speech that he had "lifted the country from recession" doesn't ring true everywhere.

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William Greenwood left office in 1990, amidst a backdrop of economic upheaval and social unrest. That feels almost a lifetime ago - to many young Mellingtonians, it is.

And yet, Greenwood has proven himself the last Forethane of this nation who's given heed to Esthursia's "blind spot", the Yeaburn valley. Martha Grantham saw the Yeadale's funding in the 1990s stagnate as "higher priorities" were put first - primarily in the north. Pork-barrelling was denied heartily by the left, but it isn't hard to see why some weren't convinced. Deindustrialisation left the region, famous for its old textile and mining industries in the foothills of the South Downs and the Yea river, devoid of economic strength; local unemployment remains well above 10% in Mellingshire, far higher than the 4.4% seen across Esthursia.

Today, in Mellingshire, life expectancy barely reaches 75. Obesity rates are amongst the highest in the country, as are smoking rates, and average income one of the lowest - even including the rural west. Mellington has one of the lowest private-sector to total jobs ratios, as public services are naturally higher due to poor incomes and health, and as private industry repeatedly fails to take off in the area - the recent departure of Meten, the Asgarshire motoring manufacturers that had based a workplace with over 5,000 workers right in the heart of Mellington, has symbolised a wider flight of jobs and money away from the region.

After sending our journalists - in Esthursia, a nation whose leaders are quick to jump to populist conclusions of strength and progressivism - to the region, to speak directly to inhabitants about what they thought, we discovered just how differently they felt about the economic climate.
The 2021 Budget also began planning for an "east coast high-speed rail", between the capital (Weskerby) and Esthampton in the south. Right through the Yeadale, right through Mellington. The government has stated that it will bring opportunity to the region that "has needed it for decades sorely", and given itself an ever righteous pat on the back over the issue - but will it really bring jobs?

The worry for Mellington is quite the opposite. Although there remains a prospect for construction jobs, it's possible this could just accelerate the brain drain of the Yeadale region - INS economist Rick Winter stated on the issue:
The message from Mellington is clear as day: we're sick of being left behind.

High Minister Edward Wescaster holds a national address on the "wider Aurorian situation"

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The developing situation across much of Auroria simultaneously has left Esthursia with little option but to respond

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"I must start with the pressing, unavoidable matter of the Aurorea. We cannot, and will not, condone or accept any legitimacy of the Aurorean regime's hostility towards the Scalvian folks. It is imperative that as a continent, we make it clear that acts of brute force and aggression will not be ignored, and that we stand alongside those who have been forced into extreme situations of defence. We fear that the consequences of failing to be vigilant, whether by us as a continent, us as a nation, or Scalvia as a nation, to the Aurorean situation could lead to the subjugation of the Scalvian people - the result of that would subject an entire free nation to the agenda of a regime who simply do not see any others as people.

Scalvia is Scalvia. Any other view on this must be disregarded, discarded and rejected in the strongest terms, for we must not accept the encroaching of imperialist Aurorean attitudes on the Ethian continent, or more widely of the Aurorias. I remain in constant and ongoing communication with the Redery of Warding* in order to ensure the continued security of our Union from aggressors, for we are acutely aware that this situation is happening in such close proximity, and with increasing relation, to our nation. Any power who seeks to impose hegemony over this continent, or indeed over any continent, should consider us their vehement enemies - we will stand by self-determination, freedom and peace above all else, and enemies of peace are enemies of Esthursia. We must reiterate that any violation of Esthursian territory, whether air, land or sea, is an act of war; and that we will respond with absolute resolve. Relevant regions are already on alert and patrol, I can confirm. We once again, to reiterate, denounce any claims by the Aurorean regime of a conspiracy, and must state that the infringements on the territory of Scalvia are in no way justified or condonable, and we expressly and intensely condemn the Aurorean regime for wrongfully using military force and with such a pretense. With tens of thousands of Auroreans mobilised within tens of kilometres of Esthurs' soil, we cannot stand by; and thus will be increasing all regions' alertness levels by one degree, meaning that all regions bar the south-east will see a Level 3 rate, and the south-east a Level 4 rate where applicable.

We encourage those involved - along with Scalvia's hope for peaceful determination of issues - to always take the diplomatic option above all else, but as it is clear that the Aurorean regime is not willing or capable of conducting these legitimately or responsibly, we shall prepare for the worst eventuality.

As for the Tardineanni situation, we congratulate the revolution on their seizure of their homeland's capital from the cowardly and tyrannical Danfeh regime. I remain vehement that Danfeh's regime is not recognised, and that they encourage tyranny by anarchy - as seen by the rise of the so-called Silver Arms. We remain in solidarity, above all else and above all factions, with the Tardineanni people and their desire - shared by all people - to live in free and peaceful lands and times, and we remain clear that these times will come to their lands. We remain in contact with Tardine over constructing ways of refuge, for war and conflict brings with it displacement and terror, and we will both help with international humanitarian aid, and accommodate for those wishing to choose Esthursia as a place to flee to, whether temporarily or permanently.

Above all, the Aurorias - and Ethia within them - are lands of peaceful peoples just wanting to get on with their lives, make the most out of them, and to get along with every other person - whether they be a member of their nation, region, or simply another Aurorian. I, as the proud High Minister of this great nation, make it my job above all else to put human rights and human safety above all else, and I am sure that a majority of nations in Auroria share this passion for the right to live freely; and I hope that I live long enough for this ambition to receive fruition in all corners of our continent. Above all else, we are Aurorian, and we are together - we must stand together against tyranny, against war, and against racial hatred, for the sake of peace, for unity, and for prosperity. We will not give way to tyranny and tyrants will not get their way in Auroria as long as I have breath in my body, and as long as the Esthursian nation lives.

Long live Esthursia, long prosper Auroria, and long may peace reign."

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*Ministry of Defence

By-elections: Social Democrats hold and gain, Green-Left and Liberals gain one apiece amid Conservative wipeout

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Five hard-right Conservatives resigned, and three centrist Social Democrats with them; only two Conservatives are returning out of those

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"Mad Monday" by-elections have left the Government buoyed by a confidence vote - however its honeymoon period hopes to swing Minpont have proved fruitless, with a margin of 5% (down by over half) separating them from a landmark gain in Helvellyn.

The Social Democrats are arguably the largest winners from this; after a relatively dismal election result, confirming them but slashing their government majority, the election of new Social Democrats - as well as the replacement of an old rebel in Hanbury, which only swung 2 points away in an election divided by internal party tensions - will boost the confidence of the government. However, subdued by the main excuse put forward by two of the Conservatives to lose out on replacing their old colleagues -

Third parties suffered mixed records. The Conservatives gained a seat from the Esthur People's Party, after the latter had won it narrowly in the last elections. The Liberals in the south-west and Green-Left on Merthing dealt a double-edged blow to the Conservatives, robbing it of a seat each - leaving the Government's majority both secured by more ideologically similar Liberals, and increased by eight thanks to the four gains amongst the Social Democratic and Green-Left ranks, which makes it a half larger than it was last night.

Rosemary Manning has however exceeded prospects of a wipeout - holding South Yeashire from the Liberals, Minpont from the Social Democrats and even swinging back an Esthur People's Party seat. Chief figures on the right of the Conservative Union have confirmed to the Daily Herald that they have no intention of calling a vote of no confidence, stating that "the only circumstance we would even vaguely consider such a move is if Manning had lost all of them, and she's exceeded even our expectations in gaining North Yeashire". The first year blues for the Opposition are striking; but unevenly, and Social Democrats will be secretly disappointed at the lost opportunity to deal a third blow in Minpont. Manning's new replacement Conservatives are also all loyalists - only one candidate, in West Ravenscroft, was hard-right, an ideology that is said to have created a left-of-centre pact behind the local candidate for Green-Left. The expansion of the university wards there and the liberalisation of the west of the nation has left Ravenscroft and much of Merthing as easy targets for Liberals and Social Democrats alike.

As Manning's Conservatives continue to consolidate control over the rural east, Osborne's Government continue picking up more and more swings. Can the Conservatives turn the tide, or will they face another wipeout next by-election season? Edgard Alburgh spoke to us briefly:

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Duncaster 2: Social Democrat gain from Conservative
West Ravenscroft 3: Green-Left gain from Conservative
West Ravenscroft 4: Social Democrat gain from Conservative
Hanbury 1: Social Democrat hold
North Yeashire 1: Conservative gain from Esthur People's
Brantley (Guiseley) 4: Social Democrat hold
South Yeashire 2: Conservative hold
Hancroft 1: Liberal gain from Conservative
Holmfirth 3: Social Democrat gain from Esthur People's
Minpont 2: Conservative hold

Esthursian debt falls below 90% for the first time since 2017

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"It's good to see the government is just about where it was five years ago", says Manning, "but maybe they could try going forwards this time"

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[deleted, article to be restructured into Wilson's commentary on modern economics]

Government unveils citizens' assemblies plans as part of "New Democracy" plan while Conservatives table devolution amendments

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Public participation in politics is at one of the highest rates in Esthursia across the world.

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Esthursian residents will be able to join citizens' assemblies which will both be implemented locally and on certain issues, says the Government, after a Green-Left promise has been accepted "in trial" as part of a wider Direct Democracy Act. Citizens' assemblies will sit parallel to ward councillors in district councils, and to redery committees, with two-thirds of these members now being transitioned to opt-in selected through sortition according to demographic quotas. Few Liberals and Social Democrats voted against it, while the Conservatives have stated that their rejected devolution and decentralisation amendment both "drove them against the rest of the Act" and "signalled how little the Government care about actual decentralisation".

The High Minister has reportedly been "critical in securing the Green-Left keystone policy's implementation", and Wescaster himself made a speech on the issue in the House of Thegns:
As well as this citizens' assemblies plan, the Kingly Bank of Esthursia is being transitioned into the Civic Bank of Esthursia, the board of executives in the education, health, transport, social care and industry sectors are to be selected routinely on an opt-in sortition basis of long-serving qualified workers, and - possibly most importantly for the future of the Esthursian economy - CEOs in companies are to be mandated to allow votes from workers on their continued leadership if called through petition of over 20% of full-time workers, and furthermore a CEO displaced by this would be replaced by a temporary workers' assembly; again, chosen through tweaked sortition - which would decide what route the leadership's structure, whether centralised, collective or otherwise - should take thereafter. This act is expected to come into force on the 1st of August, 2022; meaning that citizens' assemblies will be chosen, votes will begin, the banks transition and public executives begin being replaced herewith.

It is estimated by the Institute for National Statistics (INS) that this could displace "up to half" of CEOs now passed. It is even speculated that some CEOs are already preparing to face them, and that one company - Lansbury LLB, a financial and legal conglomerate operating within Weskerby, Brantley and Execester - is preparing to take the case that remote workers are not full-time workers to court in an effort to stave off a vote against a "particularly unpopular" CEO who has allegedly recently registered as an "Ellander"* to avoid paying tax. The Union of Unions has praised the "first building blocks of accountability and civicism*", stating:

The Conservatives' amendment has opened up accusations from both the Government and the Conservatives of "politically entrenching their influence" through their proposals - the Conservatives' leader, Rosemary Manning, has claimed that the Government is "siding with trade unions over economic stability", and that "the refusal to devolve power away from Weskerby and Brantley signals how little they care about rural areas" - whereas the Fifth Thegn for Sutton, a Social Democrat and backbench Government representative, dubbed the amendment "packing a Conservative power grab effort into an act designed purely to prevent power grabs". It is expected that a more comprehensive version of this "devolution clause" will be made into a separate piece of legislation, including through "shiremoots*", and a mandated funding formula to each one dependent on the level of tax revenue and income in each area.

Esthursia continues to put itself forwards as a beacon of democracy - but many, particularly in the highest rungs, fear their positions (and a minority even fear for the economy's health) are in danger thanks to the new "CEO ballot" trigger. Osborne's continued flirtation with libertarian civicism and direct participatory democracy has reached a new stage - and they've still got nearly four years in power.

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GOVERNMENT - 213 - 186 Aye (SD 134, G-L 52), 22 Nay (SD 22), 5 Hold (SD 5)
Opposition - 188 - 35 Aye (Lib 35), 128 Nay (Con 98, EPP 25, Lib 5), 25 Hold (Con 3, Lib 22)
House of Thegns - 401 - 221 Aye, 150 Nay, 30 Hold

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Ellander* - the term for a foreign tax resident - someone who earns and pays taxes within Esthursia but declares that they live primarily abroad in order to avoid taxation, a status undermined more recently by tax reform but remaining lower in some cases
Civicism* - an Esthursian byword for usually left-leaning libertarian policies aimed at instituting direct participatory democracy, usually e-democracy, referenda and citizens' assemblies, sometimes incorporating trade unionist collectivist policies
Shiremoots* - Atlish for "county council", literally "meeting place of the county"

Deputy leadership election triggered in Social Democrats; Wilson faces the party for re-election

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46, mostly centrist, Thegns out of 161 have called for a vote on Wilson. Can the hard-left deputy and Chancellor survive?

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Written at 09:55, 21 July 2022 Esthur time
Within the Social Democrats, 25% of Thegns are needed in order to call a vote in the deputy, as well as the leader. It is assumed that, unless the party chairman announces it, both remain below the threshold. With 161 being the number of Thegns, 41 is the key number (up from 40 after the election thanks to by-election gains).

The chairman is said to announce a vote on a Thursday every other week - and this is no different, with party chairman James Grey announcing in person in the Social Democratic conference room after calling a meeting (which one Social Democratic Thegn called "ominous", and a Minister called "entirely unexpected") that the threshold of 41 had been met - and exceeding, declaring that 46 had voted in favour of a vote - for a confidence vote in Jeremy Wilson.

[deleted to take into account Wilson's Chancellorship ending in 2017]

LIVE DEPUTY LEADERSHIP - Counting underway; Connery heads off against Wilson

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Centrists made the gamble today to back Connery. Whether that pulls off or not depends entirely on Wilson's ability to mobilise the left.

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LIVE - last updated 17:17

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17:17
The region of Esthampton and the South East has declared Wilson the winner, with 55% of the party vote. Connery was hoping to seize this region.

17:15
The region of the West Barrows has declared that Wilson has won 68% of the party vote, considerably less than anticipated.

16:55
Connery has stated that "all is still up for play". In a hustings speech in Esthampton, he told an audience of four thousand:

16:37
Currently, about 42% of the vote has been declared, with Wilson having about two-thirds (65.8%) of that.

04:57
First counting area - Esthampton Council - declares that Wilson has won by a fair margin of 74%-26%. Connery is hoping to gain more in the west, east and south, with Wilson predicted - even if he loses - to sweep the north, Asthonhelm, far-south-east (including Esthampton) and capital. No broadcasters have declared yet, but odds for Wilson have risen to 65%-35%.

36-hour limit: "Right to overtime" to go to a referendum after narrowly passing House of Thegns

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Osborne: Only way to ensure workplace democracy is to entrench it for lifetimes

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The Social Democrats have had a tough month. Firstly, having to deal with the Aurorean affair, and then the fallout of the Wilson confidence vote. With Jeremy Wilson confirmed by a 72-28 margin, Forethegn Harold Osborne has shown another considerable leftward lean with a flagship Progressive policy brought into the mainstream left.

The right to overtime, a suggested new Article in the Overlaw, would read:
Every working person has the right of an additional overtime wage of 50% or more of one's base income for hours worked over 36 hours in a single week, and 100% or more for over 44 hours per week.

The codification of overtime rights has been staunchly opposed by the Conservatives, who attempted to vote it down in the Thegns - but narrowly failed to, together with the EPP, mount the one-third minority opposition to deny the referendum passage, after an absolute majority was reached. Rosemary Manning has stated it "amounts to a complete indifference towards different working contracts and situations, and is a symptom of wider distrust of hierarchy in the workplace.", whereas the Council of Atlish Industry has dubbed it the "old-time overtime law", stating it would "screech the economy back to the pre-Greenwood days". The Liberals stated they had "reservations" about the overtime rights law, however that "this is a matter for the public to decide" - sources suggest that they were unwilling to cooperate with the rightwing parties and thus held back.

Jeremy Wilson has traditionally called for this as early as 2010, during the General Strike, and stated that the passage of this referendum would be "a momentous day for global workers' rights". Chancellor Lauren Bowen has come out in favour of the act, however is believed to be more hesitant on the idea.

The referendum is expected to go to Esthurs on the 8th of August.

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GOVERNMENT - 213 - 207 Aye (SD 155, G-L 52), 0 Nay, 6 Hold (SD 6)
Opposition - 188 - 11 Aye (Lib 11), 126 Nay (Con 101, EPP 25), 51 Hold (Lib 51)
House of Thegns - 401 - 218 Aye, 126 Nay, 57 Hold
Referendum vote requires 201 Aye, and less than 134 Nay, to pass.

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EPP push UAS referendum bill into Houses of Berworth as UAS approval sours on the right

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Ingley - "It should not be the responsibility of this Union to fight foreign wars for foreign countries"

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The Aurorean situation has sparked a policy shift amongst the hard-right on international unions. An agenda pushed by national conservatives seems to hit a nerve with disaffected voters - "why are we paying for foreign military defence?".

Graham Ingley spoke to a passioned crowd in Almington.

The Social Democrats and Green-Left are increasingly positioning themselves as globalist interventionists - however their common opposition to a military pact draws into question exactly what their private feelings on the UAS conventions are. The Larganite tradition of interventionism and globalism stays strong as a streak on the left - indeed Largan now leads the International Development Redery - but the passion for Esthursia to go into a 21st century war is not there, plainly.

The Government - headed by three forthright interventionists - however has remained steady on its policy. Green-Left leader Almrdal dubbed the EPP a "league of lie-backers while the continent demands action most", while Osborne spoke in Mereling last night on the issue:

The Conservatives have taken a similar position, with Rosemary Manning calling on Harold Osborne to "renegotiate the terms":


Polling remains heavily in favour of UAS membership - however the main shift is that some neutral rightwing voters have shifted against UAS membership. Similarly, YourEsthursia remains somewhat convinced by polls that both major parties are persuaded by their own voter bases - the Conservatives however are endangering their centrist voters to the more pro-UAS Liberals by being on the fence.

The Government appears unbothered by calls from the right of backing away and seems to be pressing on with plans to forge a new Larganite foreign policy - but will the words of the left be matched by action when the time comes?

Esthursian government unveils "total sanction" of Aurorean economy

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Applications of "exception of resistance" would have to be made before next week, says Wilson

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In a move that has surprised nobody, the Esthursian government has moved to proscribe the Aurorean regime, and furthermore few Aurorean companies will pass the application to continue trading.

Esthursian Chancellor Lauren Bowen unveiled the measure, to begin next Monday at midnight:
Rosemary Manning has lauded the government's efforts, but lambasted them for "allowing the Auroreans to withdraw in the sheer time it took to get ready." The Conservatives' Shadow Chancellor, Wilfred Statham told the New Times - a rightwing weekly newspaper - that "this government is near to complicit in the Aurorean war with its sluggish and yet heavy handed approach to every aspect of action; a refined and hastened approach is not only necessary but essential for the continent's sake."

More internal sources have blamed the centre of the Social Democrats, with a senior civil servant stating that the "1999 Group are holding back for the sake of protecting neutrality", and that one resignation from a lowlevel centrist two days ago within the Chancellery may be due to the schism over action within the government.

Rosemary Manning has also seized on this infighting, stating that "this war, to the horror of the entire nation, is being played out as a playground fight as the Government goes to and fro on whether to take some of the most simple decisions of governance I've ever seen delayed", and that "a competent Government would never delay sanctions on the elephant next door".

The backdrop of infighting within the government has left the Social Democrats five points below what their old polling figures were back in May - now they remain at 35%, with the Conservatives up to 31%, Liberals at 14%, Green-Left at 11% and the EPP at 6%. Rosemary Manning's personal popularity is also steadily rising, and civic conservatism is increasingly palatable to the wider public.

Edgard Alburgh commented on the issue and its wider divides:

Esthursian government sets aside ſ22 billion for humanitarian and economic aid, opens borders to refugees

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The foreign aid budget is set to nearly double for this year as Esthursia halves its budget surplus "in order to help our partners elsewhere"

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This year has seen a considerable increase in the amount of unrest locally - most notably, the Aurorean problem, that in the Imperium and the civil war of Tardine - and as such, Esthursia has set aside nearly half of its budget surplus from the last year in order to "help our partners", as well as loosening immigration regulations for refugees, in a sweeping reform set to rock Esthursia's approach to the wars.

Although Esthursia has intervened in the war to the south somewhat, that of Tardine and the Imperium have illicited either solely verbal and economic action, or seemingly, silence - the decision to formalise the refuge programme from the Imperium, Tardine, Scalvia, the Aurorea and Volshan has appeared as something as a surprise for many either expecting piecemeal opening, after it was announced last week. Harold Osborne spoke of the policy in the Houses of Berworth last night:
The 39 billion USD fund (22 billion shillings) into economic and humanitarian aid aims to "solve the short-term and long-term effects of conflict", and in total boosts this year's foreign aid budget to 37 billion shillings. The government's plan passed unanimously in the Houses of Berworth, with every present member voting in favour of it, in a rare show for unity and solidarity for the sake of world peace and prosperity.

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Syrixian election crisis: Esthursian government calls for "any obstruction to democracy to be lifted"

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The official statement comes after sources claim military intelligence raised "false flag" obstruction possibility to government

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Dated December 20, 2021
The Esthursian government has submitted a statement after the ensuing democratic crisis in Syrixia, to the west.

Right-wing Conservatives and EPP call for "irresponsible" new ſ22 billion aid plan to be scrapped

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"The government could have chosen anything here to invest - and they chose everywhere else" - Graham Ingley

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A speech by Graham Ingley has resonated with the right-wing fringes inside the Conservative Party, claiming:
Wilfred Alman, leader of the True Blue Group, a working-class Conservative Union group of mostly monetarist, hard-right politicians who refused to move to the more populist EPP, stated:
The Forethegn refused to comment to the criticism, however Chancellor of the Landsfere, Lauren Bowen, told ENBC 1 that she thought critics of the plan were being "heartless based on the Einarsson-era economics that made us unable to afford anything for a half-decade in the first place - fantasy economists such as these should not preach to those who have no interest in fiction". Bowen also earlier had stated that the fund would be used "not only to cement ties with the people of these nations, but to boost our ability to safeguard democracy and the rule of fair law in these lands", and that "a refusal to aid our partners when they are in both their finest and darkest hours is nothing short of cowardice."

The ſ22 billion aid plan is set to be apportioned out over the next two to three months for investment through the KEII (King Edward International Investment) organisation, with negotiations taking place imminently, split approximately 60-40 between economic investment and humanitarian aid.

GENERAL ELECTION: House of Thegns approves general election trigger for 22 September

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The Social Democrats - or as they're known here, Arverth - have gambled; will it pay off?

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There is another election on the horizon.

After spending the last few months recovering from the impact of the Wilson vote of no confidence - which, luckily for the government, went to Wilson's side - the Social Democrats have benefitted massively from a "rally round the flag" effect as the effects of continental instability hit hard, and as the Esthursian economy continues to appear fairly robust.

A forecast for 4% growth for the 12 months up to June 2022 last month, with wages forecast to rise by up to 7% as the economy redistributes at record levels after a few decades of "socioeconomic classes drifting slowly apart", the Social Democrats jumped ahead. Their rebranding as Arverth (Social Democrats) in August didn't impress many - Arverth is the Atlish word for the labour force - however one thing appears to have saved the Social Democrats from falling behind; the Aurorian situation.

With Esthursia taking an increasingly interventionist line on the Auroro-Scalvian border, most recently sending in a taskforce of up to 120,000 ground troops by the end of the month, the public appears to be increasingly behind the government over a rise in patriotic sentiment - furthermore, the rise of the EPP as in opposition to the Government's foreign policy agenda has further sidelined the Conservatives and expanded Arverth's lead.

Arverth have increasingly mobilised a new electoral pact of the socially liberal middle-class and the public sector, and are said to be wrestling for control of professional voters, according to insights from the Electoral Commission.

The thorn in Osborne's side? Green-Left. Newly replenished with an agenda of localism and civic democracy thanks to its merger with the Cumbric National Union, Green-Left has seen off the same apathy plague that appears to have taken hold over the Liberal Party, who have fallen into fourth and now remain firmly below their electoral vote in April.

Edgard Alburgh spoke to us about exactly why this election happened:

GENERAL ELECTION: Conservatives and Liberals announce Moderate pact

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After 11 years out of government and the death of monetarism, are the centreright Moderates ready to take their chance?

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All things said, things look very bleak for the right this election. Harold Osborne is not a leader of whom risk could be said to be his defining characteristic - his shift to the left and policy programme have only recently began really visible, and we're in his third term and eighth year of power. A former civil servant once said Osborne's style of government could be called "grandmaster-like", with the eventual shifts being preceded by great periods of reflection and calculation.

The opposition knows this full well. Things look good for the government - incomes are rising fast, the economy looks secure, and Osborne himself is well liked. Although his right-hand man Jeremy Wilson is not popular with the right, his effect is equalised by his ability to mobilise the grassroots left. A united hard-left flank also poses an immediate threat to the Liberal localist groups and marginal seats alike, especially while new frontiers on constitutional issues are drawn.

The situation of this election is fairly clear - for the first time this century, two coalition blocs are facing off directly. Harold Osborne, Mildred Banbury, and Jeremy Wilson form the main figures in the Socialist bloc, facing off the Moderates to the centre and right headed by Rosemary Manning and the Liberal Party leader, Everett. The Socialists have won for 11 years and 4 elections, and they remain the favourites to win a fifth term. If they win, Harold Osborne's goal of sidelining moderate leftists and shifting his party back to the old left should finish itself, and the hardleft will establish itself as a new fourth major party for the foreseeable future. The hardright EPP, headed by firebrand radical-right Graham Ingley, remain a thorn in the Moderates' side, refusing to cooperate and also projected to nearly double their vote share, squeezing the Moderates' votes and causing a fight on two fronts.

With all that in mind, it begs the question: why did this pact take so long? If Osborne wins this election on the 22nd - and polling suggests he's on track to do just that - then this would be the fifth consecutive defeat for the Conservatives, a poor record not equalled since fifty years ago in the age of the strong Liberal party, and possibly set the Conservatives' spell out of power to sixteen years. The main reason this has taken a decade: the realignment.

Liberals took Alborough as a possible vehicle to government, but his reforms were still seen as monetarist at heart, a "closet capitalist" who kept many of the hardright Einarsson loyalists in high places. His miscalculation that people would forgive monetarism and forget Einarsson in 2014 likely cost him a close-fought election where John Largan of the Social Democrats clung onto power - albeit forcing his resignation soon after - and his refusal to resign before 2018 amid infighting from the centre and right gave the left a supermajority.

At first, Rosemary Manning looked like the same type of leader. However, her manifesto promises began civic conservatism - punching left, after decades of rightward drift. Liberals finally had a leader they could negotiate with - and with the split of the hardright, they now had a party that would be palatable to work with. Come April 2022, and they were ready.

And then the left noticed. Casting the right as "mired in murky deals" and "compromising Conservatives", and warning of "four years of half-baked ideas half-executed" under a Moderate coalition, prospects of an unstable government after fairly effective Socialist coalitions turned off leftleaning Liberals and rightleaning Conservatives alike, splintering their vote and giving Osborne another term arguably.

However for this election, the two Moderate coalition partners are openly cooperative. Promising pragmatic, centrist and progressive reforms on a basis of equality of opportunity over outcome, and facing both left and right to sideline the EPP and claim the middle ground, the Moderates have potential. The only issue? Nobody wants change.

To win this election, the Moderates will need a miracle. Liberals under Everett are still tentatively leftleaning and may feel uncontent if forced to fire down friendly leftwing amendments, the steady trickle of moderate Social Democrat to Liberal movement may reverse, and both parties are unsettled by each other's grassroots. Raw figures are also not on their side - the Socialists are on as much as 50 to 55% whereas the Moderates may only scrape 35 to 40%, giving the left bloc a majority once again.

To end, a quote by Isaac Harding:

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This general election is on 22 September this year, and Harold Osborne's Socialist bloc of the left is defending against Rosemary Manning's Moderate bloc of the centre to centre-right and smaller parties, particularly the hardright EPP. Make your voice heard by registering to vote by 15 September on https://registertovote.gov.et as long as you're an eligible resident over or at the age of fifteen years.

Our forecasts project the Social Democrats are on course to win 162 seats, and the Socialist bloc a total of 224 seats, giving them a 87% chance of forming government and a 74% chance of a majority. With the EPP predicted 40 seats, the Moderates are projected to get just 137 seats, down from 163 at present. The House of Ministers is predicted to remain in Socialist hands by a margin of 460-341.

King Arthur V holds speech on unveiling of Kingswoods donation

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Arthur has donated 350,000,000ſ, or 55% of his total estimated wealth, to the Kingswoods - and called for "a brighter Auroria to rise out of the darkness of war"

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King Arthur's speech has attracted much interest from the media - now in his seventy-sixth year of reigning, the King has lived through the Fascist Wars, the Asmontian era, and nearly a century of our history. He has seen the world change around him and his own power "illegitimise itself", in his own words.


Having stepped down as head of state, but remained monarch, he has spoken in the West Barrows to the Kingswood Society:
Arthur has also stated that "I will not slow down until time slows me down" in a response to many wondering if King Arthur, who turns 93 in January, was ready to slow down.

The 350 million shillings (541 million UBI) donated to the Kingswood Society is likely to confirm the plan to raise the total woodland cover of Esthursia to fifty-percent, up from forty-one percent as of 2021.

Objective Education Act receives Kingly Assent - private schools to be "monitored" and religious schools banned

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The law finalises a generational shift from freedom to choose from parents to children

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Religious schools have been told to reform or close, and private schools informed that their charity status would be "completely removed", as well as a round of inspections by the state school inspectors rather than their own academies' versions, following a recent Act's passage.

The Objective Education Act has banned all "schools and other establishments providing education to under-18s in any capacity" from operating, with the Government clamping down on what it believed to be "pockets of religious radicalism influencing the nation's children". Graham Ingley has spoken out in favour of the law, which passed the upper House with his party's approval along with Green-Left and the Social Democrats; an unlikely coalition of hard-left, centre-left and hard-right.

This makes Esthursia one of the few states in the world that has completely banned religious schools - however this is not a new ideal. Esthursia, thanks to its historic relationship (or lack thereof in the last 450 years) with its Church, has never particularly taken to social conservatism nor religious blending with law - abortion, contraception and same-sex marriage have rarely inflamed debates and were all enshrined in law as rights over a century ago during the Asmont period (apart from contraception, which was signed into law as a right in the Newell era of the 1950s-1960s.) The right to "scrutinise belief objectively", passed in the 1970s, has led to a number of controversial cases between defendants claiming their rights, and self-professed victims calling out potential harassment. Religious education is also completely optional, with no mandated curriculum - instead, Esthurs take Citizenship courses in their middle years of education, and study the "Atlish code" - the rights to democracy, freedom of speech, freedom from fear and the rule of law.

GENERAL ELECTION - Whether Osborne wins or loses a fourth election, Esthursia's drift into the centre is over

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Seven years after his leadership began, Osborne is finally looking for a mandate to shift his programme - but where to?

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Green-Left leader Ljosdalur announces "civic economy" plan to "end capitalism", amid new leadership

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Even with Esthursia's mixed economy already in transition away from "one-man business", is Green-Left's proposal closer to far-left ideologies of abroad, or a bold new ideal?

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GENERAL ELECTION: Osborne rules out coalition with the far-left New Left faction of Green-Left, amid rise of liberal-localist Peaceful Progressive Union

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Osborne: "Ljosvalur's vision for an far-left Esthursia is both idealist and dangerous"

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Osborne went into this election wanting a majority - or did he? The new Afterthegn, Hróðvar Ljosvalur, reportedly had frostier relations with Osborne. Although not the firebrand figure that maybe the Chancellor forges, Ljosvalur stood for ideological radicality - a complete overhaul of the Esthursian economy - which Osborne stood against. Harold Osborne is a man whose transition to moderate left-wing politics has been described as gradualist, subdued and meticulous - not words to describe the almost dogmatic preference of Ljosvalur. Although Osborne still has ideological companions in Green-Left - a party known for its syncretic leftwing to farleft approach - a coalition would no longer be in his interests.

So, where are we now? Esthursia's polls open tomorrow - and now the 12 years of Socialist governance has waned. With third parties popping up in the centreground - the Peaceful Progressive Union fighting for anti-conservative, independent liberal and moderate social democratic votes is set to win seats in the lower house if not the upper house - it seems like Osborne may have to look both ways. The Green faction of Green-Left remains friendly, but New Left may be left out of supply and confidence - the Progressive Union also may be called upon to enter some form of agreement.

Harold Osborne himself stated last night:

The Progressive Union itself saw room to push into. The Liberals were falling, and moving rightward, despite Everett's own leftleaning views - leaving the door open for a centre-left liberal party. However, the Union is actually committed to more localist projects - "community renewal" - and environmental projects, as well as a shift away from nuclear power and private transport. The Progressive Union, under joint leaders Esther Ashworth and Albert Westerton, has dubbed itself the "Esthursian future party", and has compared itself to the Liberals of the 1920s, who campaigned against the Scalvian War, stating "freedom and community are our values above all else".

The Greens inside Green-Left, and to some extent the smaller midground faction "Socialist Front" formerly led by Helga Almrdal, remain friendly to Osborne, however the leftmost faction, which makes up half of the entire party's representatives and led by the party leader Hróðvar Ljosvalur as well, is likely to be sidelined by Harold Osborne.

Osborne may hope to pass 40% - something that is eminently likely - but no longer can expect a coalition partner to fall back on. However, thanks to the Moderates bringing the Liberals to the centre, the centre-left Progressives may prove underestimated friends of the new Osborne government, which will look both ways to form itself. Edgard Alburgh spoke to us about the potential for this election to swing away from the hardleft as much as the right:

GENERAL ELECTION: ENBC Exit Poll released; Social Democrats on course for more seats, but no majority

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Shock as sixth party (Progressive Union) expected to reach upper house

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GENERAL ELECTION: Social Democrats look to make gains, while High Minister Wescaster calls for "constructive dialogue to be opened" over Wilson-Prydania scandal

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The fourth Osborne government appears to look for mediation as vote counts put Social Democrats in line for modest gains

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As votes continue to be counted, the election appears to have led to Social Democrat victories - but rather subdued. The current vote count suggests, with 37% of all votes counted, that they're in line for 174 upper house seats - up 13 from their old figure and a bit higher than the 10 they were predicted to gain in the exit poll.

The first act of this fourth term government, however, appears to have been one aimed abroad - to solve the Prydanian scandal. Back in the summer, ormer Chancellor Jeremy Wilson spoke against Prydania's law said to be proscribing republican views - the backlash domestically and internationally appears to have finally moved the government's hand.

High Minister Edward Wescaster stated on broadcast:


Harold Osborne, the man whose likelihood of remaining in power is almost certain by this point in the count, has decided to focus his recent speech on his plan for his fourth term in power:


Rosemary Manning, set to actually consolidate her vote share and possibly gain a few seats, is set to remain as leader of the Conservative Union, and the Moderate group it remains a part of alongside the Liberals. The Liberals, by contrast, are arguably the only major party to receive a bloody nose from this election - suffering losses and possibly becoming the fifth largest party if trends continue in counting.

BUDGET 2022: Chancellor Bowen presents high-speed rail project to House of Thanes

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Government to postpone arms sales to Syrixia amongst other sanctions, a third of Syrixian diplomats expelled from Esthursia

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Esthursia has become the first country to pass sanctions and diplomatic action against Syrixia

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22 December, 2021
The government has postponed all arms sales to and from Syrixia, sanctioned the royal family, expelled a third of Syrixian diplomats (withal withdrawing a third of diplomats within Syrixia), and issued an official condemnation. The Syrixian royal family can no longer sell or buy from Esthursian traders, any money and assets kept in Esthursia or any bank affiliated with Esthursia will be seized, and they cannot travel into Esthursia.

Forethegn Harold Osborne said of the transpiring events this morning:
Leader of the Opposition Rosemary Manning joined the Forethegn in condemning Syrixia's "undemocratic monarchist power grab", but stated that the decision to postpone arms sales was "arbitrary and capricious".

Forethegn Osborne has stated that the "New Year will see a great deal of other sanctions aimed at countries who equally refuse to respect the right of publicly free democracy".

BUDGET 2022: Is the modern Social Democratic party truly left-wing? A look into Chancellor Bowen's "Fourth Way" economics

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Merging the "fairness of socialism with the tried and tested safeguards of mixed economies", "Fourth Way" economics has become entrenched in 2020s Esthursia

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BUDGET 2022: Government considers proposal of UAS-wide currency pegged to Esthur shilling, while Chancellor introduces Renters' Rights Act

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The Esthursian government has floated a proposal for a UAS-wide currency pegged to the shilling, amid reforms to renting market announcement

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Two pieces of news hit the media stage today - both from the Chancellor's neck of the woods.

The first, renters in Esthursia are about to receive more rights than ever before. The Act, known as the Renters' Rights Act 2022, is set to push forward the idea that renters are guaranteed certain universal rights. Zero fault evictions are set to be banned, and a waiting limit or "minimum stay" on evictions by rent arrears to be set, while legislation on renters' ability to request permission for "suitable development" of rented property is included. A National Landlordship database is also included, and landlords must declare all evictions and their reasons within the last two years to their tenants if applicable. Livability regulations are also to be tightened, and renters can now challenge rises to rent of over 20% in one year. Students and families are also set to receive the "six month notice" right, with other tenants having three months, except under extreme circumstances, while landlords will gain additional pathways to pursue compensation for damage and "wilful misuse" to properties.

Lauren Bowen has stated that this will "finalise our plan to make Esthursia's housing market the most livable for all", stating:
Meanwhile, Esthursia is considering a proposal - first brought forward by the Moderate opposition pact - to propose a UAS-wide currency, pegged or semi-pegged to the Esthursian shilling. Leader of the Opposition Rosemary Manning told the House of Thegns:

An official Government source confirmed that the policy remained in consideration, and if confirmed, would be submitted to UAS countries.

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Also in the news this week:

BUDGET 2022: Chancellor Bowen reintegrates Wilson's National Food Service into local authorities' control

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"The roles of local councils is pivotal, and necessary, and this should not remain a separate institution" - Bowen

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BUDGET 2022: -

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Alfred Frome meets Rayvostokan delegation amid wider push to "thaw and open relations" by both states

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Frome used social media to call the meeting "productive, positive and conciliatory"

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After the summit in Tynwald approaches, Rayvostokan delegates being spotted by savvy journalists from both this Daily Herald and the Atlish Times stirred social media across Esthursia. The first of many, or the start of a more specific, coordinated relationship?

Redethegn for the Ellands, or Foreign Minister in Mercanti, Alfred Frome harks from a particular wing of the party - the Progressive Group, led by no other than Jeremy Wilson. His participation has stirred conspiracies that this is connected to him taking an audience with a nation broadly associated with far-left ideologies, however the government has vaguely denied this.

Alfred Frome met with delegates from Rayvostoka, nonetheless, this morning, stating through Esthursian social media:

Taking questions from the House of Ministers, the lower house, has however shown a more controversial opinion of government ministers may have influenced this:


The Esthursian government appears to have decided one thing - the time has come to thaw relations with Rayvostoka. Esthursia having traditionally been a more liberal and individualist nation than it is now, and Rayvostoka having been a more hardline collectivist nation than recent reforms have made it, have led to this moment - however it has still taken many by surprise. Moderate Conservative Minister for the Ellands, Rickard Wetheringham, told the Atlish Times:

The Tynwald Summit is coming later in October.

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Also in the news this week:

Defections, resignations and introspection lie ahead for Esthursian socialists as Osborne looks to sack Wilson again

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Remainder of Liberals begin co-operating with Progressives

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Social Democrats' reliance on either Green-Left or Liberal and Progressive votes makes the centre-left significant

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The political centre has reformed and recreated itself in the midst of the Liberal-Conservative merger into the right-of-centre Moderates under Rosemary Manning; and it appears to be an alliance of unlikely origins.

Liberalism and the centre to centre-left after the Manning-Everett merger
The Liberal Party, especially in recent years as the Social Democrats and Conservatives both moved left, were closer to the right-wing mainstream, implicitly backing the Einarsson government in its first months. However, when the majority of Liberals agreed to merge into the Moderates, the leftmost branch - fronted by George Balder, a left-of-centre Newellite* liberal - remained a separate entity.

Just two of the six Thanes elected a few weeks ago have remained in the party; George Balder and Wilma Moren. Balder was unopposed to stand as leader; and has since become the Liberals' first left-of-centre leader in recent history, bringing the party back into the centreground between the Moderates and Social Democrats. This, along with the 3 Progressive Thanes, has opened an alternative route for the centre-left to left-wing Government to seek deals.

The Liberals' new image, and the sudden arrival of the Progressives on the centre-left, has both meant the two parties have accepted co-existence is necessary, and that their votes alongside that of the Social Democrats could potentially pull it back further to the centre should they choose to agree; not relying on Green-Left would give Harold Osborne the ability to govern from both the centre and left, though it could jeopardise its government.

The future for Esthursian centrism
The loss of the centre-right Agrarians, and the weakening of the centrist Liberal Party, has massively opened the centreground for new parties. The Cumbric National Union is a centrist pro-independence party, and the centre-left Progressives as well as migration of the mainstream right into the centre have all been attributed to this quite significantly.

The formation of a new bloc, however, could drastically affect future governments. Should the left ever suffer losses, it may find itself reliant on both the centre and the hard-left; while a Moderate government, thanks to the splinter of the EPP and the potential rise of the far-right, may find itself at the behest of the centre to govern. Balder and Welford know this well; that's why co-operation, in their view, is not only beneficial, but essential for the survival of third party politics. With the rise of the far-left and far-right, it appears the centre is still kicking.

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*Newellite - a left-of-centre social liberal ideology represented by the Liberal Forethane Edith Newell from 1957-1969, who accepted the socialist welfare state more or less, and reinstituted liberal social reforms. Her successor, the right-of-centre Alfred Thwaite, is blamed by some of this branch of Liberal Party members for dooming the party's electoral chances due to its replacement by the left-wing Social Democrats.

Bowen adjusts yearly marginal wealth tax to 1% on wealth above ʃ1 million, 2% over ʃ10 million and 5% over ʃ100 million

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"It is right that those who are fortunate and at the top of the ladder should make sure they're helping the rest of us up it" - Chancellor Bowen

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The approaches to wealth taxes by Jeremy Wilson and Lauren Bowen are rather disparate.

Wilson's 2017 Budget, amongst many other controversial measures during his final weeks, unveiled an "indefinite" wealth tax; one that would tax all wealth above 1.1 billion shillings totally, and reduce the wealth of anyone with over ʃ5,000,000 significantly and repeatedly. The Budget - which contained a hardline tax-and-spend package that sent the economy into a sudden inflation spike - would eventually lead to Wilson's downfall, and Harold Osborne's slow creep back towards the social democratic wing of the party.

Lauren Bowen, by contrast, has spent 5 years avoiding wealth taxes. In 2018, she told ENBC:
[WIP]

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Also in the news this week:

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Technocracy. The name means little to nothing to the average Esthur, and yet a party - the Progressive Party, no less - which appeared last election has adopted the Atlish version of this very concept as its name; Suthening.

Suthening advocates for several concepts:

• A radical transformation of the education system;
• A considerable "voluntary professionals' assembly" programme alongside elected institutions;
• A 60% increase to research and development funds;
• A "2030 Plan" to shift Esthursia towards being a "green superpower";
• International co-operation over higher education and scientific programmes;
• The insulation of all existing state homes and participating private homes;
• Community development, such as through the National Food Service, parks and greater local service provision.

Suthening itself refers to a word contained within the Esthursian national motto - "suðeleik", or "soothness", roughly translating to "informed truth". The modern Atlish version of this term is "suðelike". The party itself stands as part of a wider movement amongst the middle-class professional class seeking greater political participation - but the main question in the air for a party such as this; can it work?

Electorally, yes. The Liberals suffered from a precipituous collapse after left-leaning reformist voters sought a more radical alternative, after the formation of the Conservative Union-aligned Moderate pact. Although the Conservatives gained from the Liberals, they also lost to Suthening, muting their gains considerably. Likewise, Green-Left fell back slightly, and the Social Democrats received fairly subdued gains. Altogether - Suthening drew people from across the political spectrum together.

One can sense what is on our minds at this stage. Are they, if they aim at such wide swathes, a populist front? Suthening's leader, Conrad Thessen, says no.
It remains little surprise that its most reliable electorate on September 22 were from graduates and high-ranking professionals - from the legal sector to teaching and the UHCS. Esthursia, as such, has become the only country to date with a party in government that is committed solely to the pursuit of human progress and truth; and that has the potential to both alienate, and to develop kinship. Whether Suthening is able to achieve its aims, to co-operate with an increasingly pragmatic and open Social Democratic government - whose removal of Jeremy Wilson was arguably influenced by Suthening - and to "forge an Auroria" anew is yet to be confirmed - but we can remain content that our government is one not only removed from populism, but actively against it.

High Deemery rules against appeal to continue life support of Winfred Webb

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"The UHCS both has the legal and moral right to preserve the interests of patients as a whole above more risk-averse single issues such as these" - Highdeem Wanderer

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The family of Winfred Webb has lost their final legal avenue to secure a prevention of life support termination, following a 5-0 ruling against Webb's family's case that the right to life afforded its continuation.

Webb, a 11-year-old whose condition following injury was described as "unresponsive at best, and permanently comatose at worst", has been on life support for three months - a bitter campaign by his family, funded primarily by the Athersist Group, has prolonged his treatment repeatedly. One week before the legal system was brought into the dispute, the Webb family is said to have disputed a communication by the hospital stating that Webb's chances of pulling through were "at best one-in-a-hundred with no full recovery", which were reduced further to "sadly near-zero" two weeks into the case. The UCHS has further alleged that Winfred's organs, although functioning, have become dependent on the life support system, and that his chances of surviving are so low as to require an end of life plan, even expressing concern that Winfred may die "and have to be intrusively resuscitated" prior to the legal case ending in the worst case.

The judgment came after seven weeks of legal wrangling, and with all five of the twelve Highdeems ruling against the case to invoke the Overlaw - with its decision spokesman Elbert Wanderer stating the UCHS, in a 15-page report, was "justified, reasonable, proportionate and fully within their legal principles". Legal fees and prolonged treatment have left the Mellington UCHS with a significant fiscal hole, and furthermore the family of Winfred Webb has committed hundreds of thousands of shillings to top legal professionals.

The new Redethegn for Care, Konráð Þaðan, spoke on the issue:
The family of Winfred Webb has also signalled they are not willing to "back down", and will be consulting their legal team further:
The Mellington UCHS maintains that their decision was taken "as a result of consensus that young Winfred would be, sorrily, sure not to pull through, in a reasonable, solemn and transparent manner", and has stated that the decision by the High Deemery to approve the termination of life support and the end of life plan proposed by the UCHS is "warmly appreciated".

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Also in the news this week:

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"Jeremy Wilson is gone", proclaimed the Atlish Times proudly. "We've progressed beyond the Progressives", said the Spokesman, as a sly reference to his old party of origin. Five years passed, and they seemed to be right.

And yet he's back.

After the formation of the Redery last night, onlookers saw a key change - there was still an Afterthegn, despite the lack of a formal coalition - that with Suthening is instead a supply and confidence with ministerial cooperation. So how did the leftwing "ideologue", as even the King of Prydania once implied, cling onto power?

Jeremy Wilson's re-election as deputy leader pointed to a key reason - he wanted justification for this. His clear victory against moderate Oscar Connery silenced critics, and a sudden shock resignation during the Budget - which was subsequently amended by his successor, Ingrid Helga Almrdal - left his critics finally appeased.

Wilson has been remembered fondly by the hard-left for lighting the internal torch for democratic socialism, all but extinguished after Willesden's centrist Third Way stretch; and less fondly by centrists and moderates worried by his stances over economic nationalisation, taxation and even interference in foreign affairs. However, his 2017 Budget landed like a boulder in the global marketplace, cutting short his career as Chancellor. However, he has now been given control of key roles - the appointment of:
- Konráð Þaðan, Redethegn for Care
- Sophia Blackwell, Redethegn for Welfare; replacing long serving moderate Oscar Connery
- Jennifer Dale, Redethegn for Food Security and the NFS
- Wilfred Severn, Redethegn for Transport
- Merdda Abglyn, Redethegn for Energy and Water...
all accreddited to Jeremy Wilson. Þaðan is an old supporter of hardleft Socialist Front, Blackwell was a key figure in the General Strike of 2010 and Severn has led a socialist faction in his home region of Esthamptonshire for ten years.

Possibly the best known new Redethegn, Þaðan, is recognisable in Esthursia for his quote on capitalism:

Possibly not the most compatible politician with Harold Osborne, a man who once said he was "committed to making capitalism socialist and workable, not to ripping the entire system down", and who broke off a coalition after seeing through the new left-populist Green-Left's leader.

All (except Dale, whose policy programme is little known) are known hardliners.

Osborne has substituted this by moving in some Larganites - but the sheer weight of the New Left in the new redery means not only is this cancelled out, but Osborne's new government is more leftwing than ever before.

All of this happens while Suthening, Osborne's nominal coalition partner, gets only government influence in the House of Ministers, whose role is increasingly ministerial. One Suthening minister nicknamed the deal "the Wilson-Osborne Redery", over Wilson's perceived stranglehold on party politics, with ENBC journalist Rickard Dunn nicknaming him the "unsackable politician".

Jeremy Wilson clings like a barnacle to the side of HRHS Osborne. Will Osborne ever free himself, or are the two inseparable?