[Liberal Congress] Welcome to the 2015 Liberal Congress Con!

[Munditenens Tresplet]

As the Maricopan Branch Chair for El Congréßeu Liberál I'm proud to announce the opening of the first annual Liberal Congress Convention, held in what is universally known as the best province in the Kingdom of Talossa! 

Over the past year we've had many successes as a recently formed party, including the creation of the Interior Ministry from the Ministries of Immigration, Home Affairs, and Defence following the last General Election, as well as closing an immigration loophole and prohibiting government-sponsored sock puppets from infiltrating our great nation.

And of course, more importantly, we chose a mascot, our very own tea-loving owl, Tom: 


Party members will be voting on officers for the upcoming year, but whether you're a party member or not, you're invited to join us! Have a cup of tea, listen to our fabulous guest speakers, discuss the politics of the day, or just participate in the great Maricopan pastime of listening to Barry Manilow:



Being a Liberal for the past year has been a hoot, and I look forward to the accomplishments that we will continue to achieve in the year to come. (Speaking of which, I finally finished knitting that sweater!)

Anyways, before I get too long-winded (and too off-topic), I'll now turn the convention floor over to our Esteemed President, and the first ever Minister of Interior, the Hon. Carlüs Xheraltescu!

[C. Carlüs Xheraltescù]

Azul, azul! First of all, I'd like to give a massive thanks both to Branch Chair Tresplet for getting in touch with the Maricopan government and making this happen, and of course to Maricopa for having us. *whisper* Don't tell anyone, but you're my favourite province... *whisper*

Seriously, we've come a truly magnificent way since our founding. Our membership is constantly growing, with a significant number of new citizens finding their political home in Talossa's only consistently liberal party. I suspect it's the offer of tea and cake that does the trick; by the time they've finished drinking the indoctrination process is already at 75%! JOKING, sheesh!

So, we came fourth in the last election. Not great, but still pretty damn amazing for our first go. And, despite our limited number of seats, we've punched well above our weight, with liberal policies flying out of the government halls left, right and centre. The Anti-Espionage Act was finally passed, the Communications Privacy Bill will receive government support, and we've already cut the size of the Cabinet - streamlining government. We're doing really well, and if we keep on at this trajectory, we'll be dominating the political landscape (doing a RUMP) in no time at all!

We've kept this government active, radical, stable, and most important of all: we've made sure that it puts LIBERTY FIRST! And if you're watching this Convention from outside the party and you want to help us do more of the same, then get on over here and sign-up. Send me a PM or an e-mail and we'll get you involved right away (and I'll sort you out with a drop of tea and a wad of voting slips - trust me, you'll need them, since policy and party government is one of the most democratic in the country)!

Anyway, without further delay, I think it's time to hand over to our first guest speaker, after which I'll start handing out agendas. Our first speaker is a very demanding in demand speaker, he's the Premier of the great province, he's the Attorney-General... Put your hands together for former Seneschal Dr Txec dal Nordselva, Esquire!

[Dr. Txec dal Nordselvă]

Well with that kind of warm welcome, I might never leave!

Maricopa is pleased to have the Liberal Congress gracing our convention center though we did have to lock the Premieir's special cache of tea away for fear that members of the Liberal Congress would try to add some secret ingredient that might make the Premieir switch from the Progs to the Libs!

I really don't have much to say to the delegates other than congratulations for coming such a long way in such a short time. It is gratifying to see so much vibrant political life across the wide spectrum of ideology that the citizens of our great Kingdom possess. In what other nation on the Earth could there exist such diversity (and in such a small population as well!). Come to think of it, in what other nation could I be its Attorney-General or a former Seneschal? Where else could the very young and the mature co-exist to keep things moving along? No where but in el Regipäts Talossan!

Welcome Liberal Congress! Make sure to hop on down to the Copa Cabana and take a tour of our great province before departing back home.

[C. Carlüs Xheraltescù]

Thank you, Dr Nordselva!

So here's an agenda for everyone:

- On the 2nd of February nominations close for positions in the party, elections begin
- Constitutional Amendments
- Policy storm (like a brainstorm)
- Guest speaker (to be announced)
- Party speaker (Françal Ian Lux - On Culture and Talossan Liberalism)
- Results and victory speeches
- Any other business

[C. Carlüs Xheraltescù]

On the subject of nominations for party positions, here is a list I shall update of people who have been nominated to stand:

Party President
C. Carlüs Xheraltescù
Txosue Roibeardescu

Party Secretary
Françal Ian Lux

Interested parties have until the 2nd of February to nominate themselves!

[C. Carlüs Xheraltescù]

I'd now like to invite Françal Ian Lux to speak on the topic of culture, and the party's role in promoting it. Françal Ian Lux is one of our newer members and has contributed so much already to party discussions. A promising political career lies ahead of this good man, so listen closely to what he says. This guy could be PM one day!

*applause*

[Françal Ian Lux]

Thank you Mr.President for such a fine introduction!
As many of you know one of the great unifying forces of this kingdom is its rich and esteemed culture. None other in the world out there is quite like Talossa. Whether it's because of the language, the literature, or the arts, many of us chose to be a part of this kingdom so that we may participate in learning and contributing to its rich background.
As a relatively new citizen myself, I can vividly recall the awe and admiration I experienced when I first commented on Wittenburg. Talossa is unique and special to all of us who've committed to it.
That is why I, on behalf of the Liberal Congress Party, would like to ask all of you, especially the new members, to participate in further enriching and expanding Talossa's culture. As a liberal party in Talossa representing the best interests of its citizens, the Liberal Congress has always done all it can to further accommodate the needs of its constituents. That's why you should take advantage of the opportunity and branch out! There's always room for learners and scholars. Nothing immerses you in Talossa more than delving in to its pride and tradition. Learn the language, read up on some Talossan literature, or express your Talossan self by creating art! Not only will the Ministry of Culture appreciate you for it, YOU will appreciate you for it.
Regardless of your race, religion, and gender, you are Talossan. Whether you're a monarchist or a republican, we are all united in culture. Our shared culture is the most important thing in this kingdom. All else can fail, but so long as our culture stands, Talossa will endure!
Let's make 2015 the year we ALL immerse ourselves in some Talossan CULTURE!

[C. Carlüs Xheraltescù]

Jan 27, 2015 13:22:45 GMT -6 C. Carlüs Xheraltescù said:

On the subject of nominations for party positions, here is a list I shall update of people who have been nominated to stand:

Party President
C. Carlüs Xheraltescù
Txosue Roibeardescu

Party Secretary
Françal Ian Lux

Interested parties have until the 2nd of February to nominate themselves!

Deadline also met.

Françal Ian Lux has been elected unopposed to the position of Party Secretary. There will now be an election held for the position of Party President between myself and Txosue Roibeardescu. Françal Ian Lux, over to you!

[Françal Ian Lux]

Winning unopposed is always fun! Thank you all.

[Françal Ian Lux]

Now for the election!
Members of the Liberal Congress please cast your votes to decide who our Party president will be.

[C. Carlüs Xheraltescù]

Feb 3, 2015 5:52:40 GMT -6 Françal Ian Lux said:

Now for the election!
Members of the Liberal Congress please cast your votes to decide who our Party president will be.

How do you want us to cast our votes? We're constitutionally required to have a secret ballot election

[Françal Ian Lux]

I'll just have you all individually email me your votes

[C. Carlüs Xheraltescù]

Feb 3, 2015 6:26:58 GMT -6 Françal Ian Lux said:

I'll just have you all individually email me your votes

Probably best sending an e-mail out bcc'ing every member in asking for their votes then! You should have everyone's e-mail address by now, but if not then give me a nudge.

[Françal Ian Lux]

Done

[Txosuè Éiric Rôibeardescù]

Friends, liberals, countrymen, lend me your ears!

I know I have not been around much lately or campaigning as much as I should. So here I am taking to the soapbox for reasons why you should elect me as the new liberal Congress president.

Firstly I will continue to uphold our values as a party, in all its glory, promoting fairness, equality, liberalism and tea to talossa.
Secondly I will block all action that will allow the merger of the ZRT and liberal Congress. I do not feel that these two parties are in any way alike and so fusing them together would be to both parties detriment. I believe it would cause a radical shift in our ideals. I see that the only benefit to this would be a growth in members, which may not altogether as some of the previous that arty may wish to leave quite soon after due to our very different ideas for to Lohse. The ZRT strongly opposing the monarchy, compared to our agnosticism on the matter could tear us apart. I believe that my opponent previous dealings with the said ZRT leaves him vulnerable to bias on this matter. I do not however object to the idea of working more with any party (including the ZRT)
Finally, I will not crumble as of beloved biscuits do, but stand tall against the adversities that future will bring us.

So stand tall with me my brothers and sisters of the liberal Congress! A Vote for me is a vote for tea!