Provincial Speech on National Matters

[E.S. Bornatfiglheu]

I would like to put this question before the Legislative Chancellory and the citizenry as a whole.  Would it be right for the government of the Province to weigh in on matters of national importance?  The folks over in Fiova are kicking around a condemnation of his majesty's actions in regards to the current amendments to the orglaw.  Do the people of Benito see fit to weigh in on the matter (either in defense of his majesty or in condemnation of his actions)?  Or would they prefer to remain silent on the matter?

[Iason Bitxichë Taiwos]

I believe national affairs should be discussed in the provinces, especially something that could possibly affect us. Simeon Andrieu once proposed changes to the Benitian Constitution to the effect that Benito would secede from the Kingdom if: the Kingdom ceased to exist, and "tyrannical acting ways of the Kingdom, the King, and anything that made Benito fear for its people's well." (Exact quote.) While I don't think these "modifications" were ever even formally proposed, I think they speak to a concern all provinces should have as regards to maintaining provincial identity and autonomy. I certainly don't feel the Kings current actions should call for a declaration of secession (if such an action would even be legal), but it is something that should be discussed. (The Kings actions,I mean, not secession.) (For my part,I'd be in favor of an Official Provincial Condemnation.)

[Vitxalmour Conductour]

Benito has a fairly recent but fairly strong tradition of condemning actions of the national government. And we're sporadically fairly vocal on wanting to oust the King's perpetually absent and pointless overseer.

[Lüc da Schir]

I would certainly agree that the provincial government and/or the Chancellery should be condeming the actions of the King. They should certainly be discussed and this would also be the umpteenth occasion to denounce the inactivity of our Vicere.

[Alessandro Piazza]

I think that Benito must take a position about this.
Why not a provincial referendum about it?

[Txosuè Pologn]

I think to some extent the Benitian government has to get involved on behalf of the people, as the government are our representatives. My only concern is that it would be just as possible for the Benitian government to act in a manner contrary to the will of its people as the National government. I like Alessandro Piazza's idea of a referendum. We could maybe talk about altering the provincial law to allow and require the provincial government to hold a referendum in any situation in which they want to get involved in something at the National level, that way the Provincial government knows and can best represent the will of the people.

[E.S. Bornatfiglheu]

I don't know if a referendum should be required at all points. I mean, if we're going to hold a referendum every time... why not just cut to the chase and go direct democracy a la Fiova?

What might make sense is if the govt gets out of line, the people hold a referendum to overturn the measure passed by the government. Or, just kick them all out of office.

[Txosuè Pologn]

That's a fair point, and a logical one. I don't truly believe that there will ever be a direct issue between our provincial government and our people, just was thinking in terms of a worst case scenario, and without the people having a direct say, it is potentially possible for there to be a clash. As it stands, I think we're served fairly well. Although, with provinces changing...