New Westphalian Senate
| Senate of New Westphalia | |
|---|---|
| Kandieden Senate | |
 | |
| Type | |
| Type | Unicameral |
| Leadership | |
| President of New Westphalia | Daniel Morris, New Westphalian National Party since 31 August 2014 |
| Chancellor of New Westphalia | Rev. James Whittle, Labour Party of New Westphalia since 31 August 2014 |
| Structure | |
| Members | N/A |
| 250px | |
| Election | |
| New Westphalian Senate voting system | New Westphalian Points System |
| New Westphalian Senate last election | 30 August 2014 |
| Meeting place | |
| City of Kandieden | |
The New Westphalian Senate is the unicameral legislative body of the New Westphalian government. It consists of 1 seat currently, and usually held by Senators elected from New Westphalia's constituencies and the seat of the President of the Republic, who acts as speaker of the Assembly. The President, however, holds no voting power in the Senate.
The Senators who make up the New Westphalian Senate are elected in a national election via a Single Transferable Vote system for a term of no more than four years, however the Senate may call for a general election at any point in time. The New Westphalian Senate has its official meeting place in the capital city of Kandieden. It holds supreme legislative power for all of New Westphalia.
Contents
History
The New Westphalian 'Assembly' was created along with the Republic itself during the initial talks between Strathy and Draega during the 'Merger of Nations' (The original creation of New Westphalia). It was designed by both parties to be a simple legislative body, being unicameral and being the legislature of a unitary state, which was hoped to make running the Republic as easy and efficient as possible, given the small population of New Westphalia.
On 21 August 2013, founders Daniel Morris and James H Whittle took the positions of President of New Westphalia and 'Chancellor of the Assembly' respectively and began the process of appointing a Provisional Assembly and Provisional Government, in order to guide New Westphalia through its first political term following official foundation.
Given New Westphalia's political history, a collage of Draegan, Strathan and Trystansburger politics, there have existed two main political ideals which now translate into the two major political parties in New Westphalia, those being; the left wing Labour Party of New Westphalia and the conservative New Westphalian National Party. Given political mixes in New Westphalia, however, a third party existed in the form of the Liberal Democratic Party, this was later formed into the National Coalition Party.
During the 2018 reformation of New Westphalia, the legislature was changed into the Senate as we know it today, the Labour and National parties undergoing reform to better reflect the new systems being put in place.
Political Parties
Historically there were three political parties with seats in the New Westphalian Assembly; The Labour Party of New Westphalia, the New Westphalian National Party and the Liberal Democratic Party of New Westphalia. The wide range of political ideologies from the various constituent countries has created a wide spectrum of political views and parties in New Westphalia itself.
The recent reforms excluded the Liberal Democrats from the Government and dissolved the party itself, the National Party holds the Presidency in the form of its leader President Morris, and the Labour Party as the Official Opposition.
The Labour Party of New Westphalia
- Main article: Labour Party of New Westphalia
The Labour Party of New Westphalia, founded in May of 2011 as the Strathan Communist Party, later the Contemporary Marxist Party of Strathy, is currently the largest and oldest party in New Westphalia and currently holds four of the nine seats in the New Westphalian Assembly. It is currently the only left wing party in New Westphalia holding seats in the Assembly, with vows to represent the interests of the working classes.
Its policies revolve around public ownership of services and means of production, an extensive welfare state as well as higher taxes for people on larger incomes. Policies are also decided upon by the membership of the party as a whole via the annual congress of the party. It's main goal is expressed via Clause IV of the 1918 constitution of the Labour Party of the United Kingdom
"To secure for the workers by hand or by brain the full fruits of their industry and the most equitable distribution thereof that may be possible upon the basis of the common ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange, and the best obtainable system of popular administration and control of each industry or service."
The current leader of the Labour party is the Rt. Hon. Rev. James H. Whittle.
The New Westphalian National Party
- Main article: New Westphalian National Party
The New Westphalian National Party is the centre-right conservative party and the second largest party in New Westphalia, holding three seats in the New Westphalian Assembly. It is the second oldest party in New Westphalia, founded in August of 2013 along with the creation of New Westphalia. It is the main force of centre-right and occasionally right wing policies in New Westphalia, advocating individual responsibility and privatising of services.
It saw an immediate spark in popularity, given the conservative politics of parts of Draega and Trystansburg and is a strong advocate of Westphalian Sovereignty, prizing the sovereignty of New Westphalia and her people above all other matters. Despite their differences with the Labour Party in terms of economic and social policies, the National Party agreed to form a coalition government with Labour in order to see New Westphalian founded on as strong a basis as possible.
The current leader of the National Party is the Rt. Hon. Sir Daniel Morris and is lead in the Assembly by the Rt. Hon. Rev. Trystan Cline, who is also the Deputy Chancellor of the Assembly in the Coalition Government.
National Coalition Party
- Main article: National Coalition Party
The National Coalition Party is the smallest and youngest party in the New Westphalian Assembly, holding just two seats in the Assembly. Formed in late August 2014, in the run up to the 2014 General Election and as a successor to the crumbling Liberal Democratic Party, the NCP takes the stance of the Radical Centre in New Westphalian Politics.
The NCP stands for policies such as progressive taxation, increased civil liberties and the same minimum wage for all workers over 16 years of age.
The current leader of the NCP is , who is also Chancellor of State for Foreign Affairs.
The NCP are also in favour of devolved legislatures for each constituent countries. This move is opposed by the other two parties who believe it would be detrimental to the stability of the young Republic.
Current Make Up
Seats
| Party | Abbreviation | Leader | Founded | Position | Seats | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labour Party of New Westphalia | LAB | Rev. James H. Whittle | 16 May 2011 (as the "Strathan Communist Party") | Left | 4 / 9 | |
| New Westphalian National Party | NAT | Daniel Morris (Rev. T. Cline in Assembly) | 1 August 2013 | Centre-Right | 2 / 9 | |
| National Coalition Party | NCP | 18 August 2013 (as the "Liberal Democratic Party") | Centre | 3 / 9 | ||
The Second Government of New Westphalia is a Labour-NCP Coalition, lead by Labour Chancellor of the Assembly, James Whittle.
Archons of New Westphalia
| Archon | Party | Term of Office | Constituency | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | New Westphalian National Party | 31 August 2014 – Present | Praetorian Hall | None | |
| National Coalition Party | 31 August 2014 – Present | Drakenport | Chancellor of State for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Chancellor of the Assembly | ||
| Eilidh J. K. Whittle | Labour Party of New Westphalia | 31 August 2014 – Present | Coronation Island | ||
| Capt. John O. Thomson | Labour Party of New Westphalia | 31 August 2014 – Present | Isle of Fara | Deputy Leader of Labour Party | |
| Rev. James H. Whittle | Labour Party of New Westphalia | 31 August 2014 – Present | Langford City | Chancellor of the Assembly | |
| Alasdair Schreiber | Labour Party of New Westphalia | 31 August 2014 – Present | Brockburn Province | Chancellor of State for Home Affairs | |
| Rev. Trystan Cline | New Westphalian National Party | 31 August 2014 – Present | Béni Ville de l'Olympisme et Sophi | Chancellor of State for Defence, Leader of NAT in Assembly | |
| N/A | National Coalition Party | 31 August 2014 – Present | Trystansburg West | None | |
| N/A | National Coalition Party | 31 August 2014 – Present | Trystansburg North | None | |
Role of the President
Whilst the President of the Republic serves as the Head of State, he also acts as the Presiding Officer during all sessions of the New Westphalian Assembly and is responsible for moderating debate and discussions in the chamber. The President is in charge of ensuring that the order of business is adhered to and that votes are carried out for all necessary questions.
It should also be noted that the President does not have a vote in the Assembly and must remain impartial during all business.
Past Assemblies
First Assembly:
| Party | Abbreviation | Leader | Founded | Position | Seats | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labour Party of New Westphalia | LAB | Rev. James H. Whittle | 16 May 2011 (as the "Strathan Communist Party") | Left | 4 / 9 | |
| New Westphalian National Party | NAT | Daniel Morris (Rev. T. Cline in Assembly) | 1 August 2013 | Centre-Right | 3 / 9 | |
| Liberal Democratic Party | LIB | 18 August 2013 | Centre | 2 / 9 | ||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
