Caudonian People's Party

Caudonian People's Party
President	Iacof ap Antoni
Founded	2 May 2020 (Original) 15 January 2021 (Refounded)
Dissolved	20 August 2020 (Original) 24 February 2021
Split from	Christian Union
Membership (2021)	2
Ideology	Majority: Christian Democracy Social Market Economics Environmentalism Third Way Factions: Christian Socialism
Political position	Fiscal: Centre-Left Social: Centre-Right
Colours	Light Blue,   White
Slogan	"Respect, Dignity, Mercy"
Legislative Assembly	1 / 15
Party flag

The Caudonian People's Party (CPP) (German: Kaudonische Volkspartei, KVP; Scots: Caudonie Fowk's Pairtie, CFP) was a small Christian democratic political party in Caudonia. It was originally founded by Nicholas O'Neill on 2 May 2020, following his split with the conservative Christian Union. At the time, O'Neill described the CPP's mission as being to "promote social and economic justice, as well as environmental stewardship". He further explained that he sought to present the party to voters as a moderate alternative to the country's more staunchly left and right-wing parties. Despite some initial electoral success, the CPP quickly fell into inactivity, and on 20 August 2020, O'Neill declared the party to be officially defunct.

Several months later, on 15 January 2021, he reestablished the party. O'Neill said he hopes to fill the void left by the dissolution of the Caudonian Front and other more "sensible" parties, in addition to continuing the People's Party's original mission. Following O'Neill leaving Caudonia, Iacof ap Antoni took over as party president. He dissolved the party on 24 February 2021.

History

The Caudonian People's Party was originally founded by Nicholas O'Neill on 2 May 2020. O'Neill had previously been a member of the Christian Union, but opted to depart after he became alarmed by what he perceived as "extremist elements" within the organization. Although the CPP's creation and entry into a then already crowded political arena was met with consternation by some, O'Neill insisted his party represented a uniquely centrist perspective and was not merely another faction of the increasingly fractured Caudonian right.

In the run up to the May 2020 Caudonian general election, O'Neill campaigned heavily on the theme of collaboration. During public debates, he argued that Caudonia needed mature leaders who were willing to cast aside personal animosity and partisan divisions in the interest of the common good. This conciliatory tone resulted in criticism from former a Christian Union colleague, who accused the CPP of being unwilling to stand up for what it professed to believe in. O'Neill, however, defended his party's flexibility, insisting that dogmatism and antagonism would only further alienate the country's Christian politicians from the wider population. Ultimately, the People's Party received a modest three votes in the election, earning it a single seat in the Legislative Assembly.

Following O'Neill leaving Caudonia, Iacof ap Antoni took over as party president. He dissolved the party on 24 February 2021.

Political Positions

The People's Party characterized itself, in general, as a Christian democratic party, much like its progenitor the Christian Union. Unlike the CU, however, the CPP historically identified with the political centre, rather than with the hard right. As opposed to preaching doctrinaire conservatism, the People's Party, in its original iteration, preferred a more pragmatic approach to politics; emphasizing the importance of compromise and cooperation with parties from both sides of the aisle. Following its refounding in early 2021, the CPP's leader Nicholas O'Neill has stated his party, in general leans right with respect to its social policies, while leaning to the left on fiscal matters.

Electoral Results

Election year	# of votes	%	seats won	+/-	Government
May 2020	3	6.38%	1 / 19	▲ 1	In Opposition