Free Democratic Party (New Virginia)

Free Democratic Party FDP
Party Leader	Sophia Albina
Founded	July 2020
Headquarters	Shoreline (unofficial)
Membership (2021)	19
Ideology	Big tent politics Cultural growth Economic growth Localism LGBT Rights
Political position	New Virginian Left
Colors	Orange, red, black

The Free Democratic Party is a political party in the Commonwealth of New Virginia. Founded in July 2020, the Free Democratic Party is a big tent political movement that is devoted largely to cultural and economic growth in New Virginia. Made up of New Virginian citizens of various political orientations, the FDP describes itself as a uniquely New Virginian party, made up of New Virginians for the sake of the Commonwealth. It has been described by outsiders as an 'anti-party party'.

History

The Free Democrats were founded by Elizabeth Lewis, who was then a Provisional Counselor. Lewis, who had been devoted largely to cultural growth during her time as an Austenasian politician brought those ideas to New Virginia, founding the FDP along with others as a movement to safeguard those ideas. The Free Democrats won a majority after the first New Virginian general election, taking six of the ten seats available. With both the House of Burgesses and the government-controlled by Free Democrats, the party was able to implement several policies promised during the general election. Notable among these was the desire to build an economy for New Virginia, a project that both party leaders have pursued.

A poster released after the election of Dame Sophia Albina as party leader.

In December 2020, then Party Chair Elizabeth Lewis informed the people of New Virginia and the Free Democrats her intention to resign as Prime Minister and Party Chair. In her place, Deputy Prime Minister Sophia Albina was elected to be the leader of the party and the second Prime Minister.

Platform and Policies

Central to the FDP's ideology is the importance of local culture. The FDP views New Virginia's local culture as something unique to the Commonwealth, with the cultures of various different cities and towns contributing to a larger, stronger New Virginian culture. It is the belief of the FDP that by strengthening local cultures, the greater New Virginian culture will grow stronger as well. The FDP believes as well in economic growth. Given that many micronations do not have functioning economies, the FDP believes that if the Commonwealth were to develop their own functioning economy it would set New Virginia in the direction of true statehood, with the ability to produce and sell products within New Virginia giving it a unique, autonomous aspect of macronational statehood, albeit on a smaller scale.

Electoral performance

House of Burgesses

Election	Leader	Votes		Seats			Position	Government
		No.	Share	No.	±	Share
2020	Dame Elizabeth Lewis	83	55.0%	6 / 10	▲ 6	60%	1st	Free Democratic
2021	Dame Sophia Albina	122	49.6%	7 / 13	▲ 1	53.9%	1st	Free Democratic

List of Party Leaders

Number	Image	Name	Took office	Left office	Notes
1		Dame Elizabeth Lewis BP for Shoreline	25 July 2020	18 December 2020	Founder of the party. Served as Prime Minister from 1 August 2020 to 18 December 2020. Resigned for personal reasons.
2		Dame Sophia Albina BP for New Franklin-at-large	18 December 2020	15 February 2021	Second leader, resigned on 15 February 2021 due to personal issues. Presided over the "Bainbridge scandal" and led the party in the 2021 New Virginian general election. Made economic and currency development a focus of the party.
3	File:Simon White.jpg	Sir Simon White BP for New Franklin-at-large	28 March 2021	24 August 2021	Third leader of the Free Democratic Party.
4		Dame Sophia Albina			Fourth and incumbent leader of the Free Democratic Party.