Peter Otterson

Peter Otterson
Minister for Religion
Assumed office 5 June 2018
Predecessor	Office established
Successor	Incumbent
Papal Representative
Assumed office 5 June 2018
Predecessor	Office established
Successor	Incumbent
Member of Parliament for Chester-le-Street
In office 4 April 2018 - 5 June 2018
Predecessor	Office established
Successor	Incumbent
Born	Chester-le-Street, United Kingdom
Citizenship	Sorrenian British
Political party	New Monarchists
Residence	Chester-le-Street, Bernicia
Religion	Roman Catholic
Military service
Allegiance	Sorrenian Royal Army
In service	2018
Rank	Sergeant

Alias

It is a political norm in Sorrenia to adopt an alias, utilising a pseudonym and alternative portrait. Peter's portrait is that of Saint Cuthbert; Thomas' surname also refers to Cuthbert, who is often portrayed with sea animals.

War of the Sorrenian Succession

Peter began his Sorrenian career as a minor figure in the Royal Army during the War of the Sorrenian Succession. Whereas figures such as Michael Disraeli and Phillip Pompeia were propelled by their contribution during this period, Peter remained largely unknown until after the war.

MP for Chester-le-Street

Peter was able to secure the nomination of the New Monarchists for the Chester-le-Street seat. A predominantly working-class and traditionally left-wing town, Peter was seen as unlikely to win the seat. However, he was elected by a margin far larger than was expected by his colleagues.

This was largely attributed to his campaigning abilities, earning him a seat and personal friendship with leading figures, including King Ronald.

During this period, King Ronald began to explore possibilities for Sorrenia's religious stance. Whereas many within his party urged him to create an Anglican church, and those in the opposition party The Republicans demanded a maintenance of secularism, Peter encouraged the king to establish Sorrenia as a distinctly catholic country.

Both Peter and the King were catholic, and ultimately Peter's stance won out, and he was tasked with creating an ecclesiastic body to implement religious law; he ultimately contributed significantly to the Sorrenian Constitution, and created what became the Papal Directorate.

He was ultimately appointed as a member on the Papal Directorate, and resigned his position as MP on the same day.

Papal Representative

Peter became one of five Papal Representatives, who serve for life and legislate on social affairs.

Peter's first significant act on the Directorate was to prohibit the death penalty, in accordance with Pope Francis' ruling on the matter.

Although the Directorate has not officially ruled on significant affairs since then, its informal advisory rulings have influenced government policy, with their proscriptions of homelessness moderating the government's economic bill.

Minister for Religion

Along with his appointment to the Papal Directorate, Peter was appointed Minister for Religion. Although Peter is generally considered a conservative figure - intent on consolidating the religious role of Catholicism in the Sorrenian state - he has relented on certain issues.

Although Peter originally opposed the creation of the Church of Amon Lasgalen, a separate Anglican church for Amon Lasgalen, he was swayed into supporting it due to government pressure. Nonetheless, he has at times expressed a desire to protect smaller religious groups, especially the Mezerizeb Methodist Church.

Parliamentary Results

Election	Constituency		Party	%	Lead	+/-		Nearest Party
April 2018	Chester-le-Street		New Monarchists	54	12	▲54%		The Republicans

Politics

Economically, Peter is a surprising left-wing voice within the New Monarchists. Although he most closely associates with the centrist faction, he has at times supported NDLP legislation to condemn inactivity on homelessness and poverty; along with this, he has supported calls for mass stimulus in deprived areas.

Socially however, Peter is generally considered conservative. He was central in recreating Sorrenia as a catholic country, in spite of the legacy of secularism and the large Anglican population.

Although many initially expected Peter to pass consecutive legislative bills through the Papal Directorate (a major concern by moderates and republicans), Peter has thus far only ruled on a single issue - that being the death penalty. Otherwise, Peter's role as a Papal Representative has primarily been in the form of advisory papers.