SKNB News

[South Kirkcaldy]

Prime Minister Trailing in Polls

Latest Polls are showing Prime Minister David Balls (pictured) trailing by 1% in recent polls. If his party loses the next election it will mark the first time in 18 years that The Progressive Socialist party will not retain power. Gerald Cologner swept the party to victory 1992 elections. Cologner retired from party leadership in 2002, and was succeeded by David Balls in that election. Balls led the party to the largest landslide victory in South Kirkcaldy history in the 2006 elections, 64% of the seats in Parliament.

Simone Monat of the Centrist Alliance is leading the Prime Minister in polls. Monat has a knack for pulling out victories, in 2006 she was predicted to be a "casualty" of the PS's landslide, but proceeded to win her constituency of Rother Valley by a narrow 2%. She became leader of the CA in 2009 and is well on her way to becoming South Kirkcaldy's first female Prime Minister and the first Prime Minister of African Descent.

While this is possibly the tightest election in South Kirkcaldy history, it is a sobering event for Andrew Blears and his Leftist Libertarian party, who have lost almost 10% in the polls, they are at 16%, down from 23% in 2006.

We will keep you posted on the results of the election as well as other news from South Kirkcaldy as it happens.

[South Kirkcaldy]

Abjol Named to ICC

Martha Abjol, a member of the Magistrate Counsel, has been named to the International Criminal Court. On Monday, 28 June, 2010 Ms. Abjol was nominated to the ICC by Prime Minister Balls. After having her application reviewed by the ICC, she was accepted by the ICC to become the 4th justice of the nine judge panel.

On July 1, 1970, Martha Salma Abjol was born to Mr & Mrs. Kabir (Hasina) Abjol, in inner-city South Kirkcaldy City. Ms. Abjol graduated top of her class from Mitcham Secondary School. In 1992 she graduated from Bethnal University, and went on to Bermondsey Law School, an impressive feat for anyone, much less one from a poverty stricken family and neighborhood. At the age of 25 she was accepted to the Bar, and chose to become a solicitor. After 10 years as a solicitor she changed specialties and became a barrister. After four years as a barrister she was appointed by Prime Minister Balls to the Magistrate Counsel, the prestigious panel that advises the Prime Minister and Parliament on legal matters and are collectively Keepers of the Bar. Abjol says she is awaiting the ICC's first case.

[South Kirkcaldy]

An Interview with Andrew Blears

Frank Gillibrand sits down with the leader of the Leftist Libertarians and asks him about the elections, South Kirkcaldy, Foreign Policy, and life in general.

Q. Do you see your leadership as the reason for the, excuse me for being blunt, reason for the horrid election results?

No, well, partially. I led the party to second place in 2006, with a large lead over the CA, but I believe that the rivalry between David Balls and Simone Monat is the reason for the loss in the polls. Simone Monat is a great campaigner, look at her re-election in 2006.

Q. If these polls are accurate, which they seem to be, will you resign leadership after such a bad result?

Never say never, but I don't see myself resigning the post anytime soon, I'm concerned over who'll take over as leader of the LL, there are some good people, but there are also some very unqualified people, and I couldn't do that to the party, curse them for life with a leader who's out of their element.

Q. You've received a lot of heat for pushing the party closer to the Left, does that concern you?

No, I'm doing what's right, being truly Libertarian isn't what the people of South Kirkcaldy want. The people want public ownership of industry, and that's what I'm offering them.

Q. So, you're a populist?

No, I'm not saying that. I have my own political views and I'm incorporating that into the party's manifesto, as is my job. I'm simply a little more in touch with the average South Kirkcaldian than other party Right-Wingers.

Q.Simone Monat looks like she's well on her way to becoming Prime Minister, do you see her government lasting a long time?

I.. don't really see it lasting, no. Her party is popular because of her leadership and campaigning, no offense to her, but she comes of as all style and no substance. I think we'd have to have elections very soon, because her government has a vote of no confidence. Not that I'm wishing that on her, I just don't think her party can govern in the long run.

Q. Do you think that South Kirkcaldy is a backwards country?

Absolutely not, we are a WA Delegate, have a judge on the ICC and are having one of the most watched elections in the world. Our economy is in transition, but that's what you get going from controlled market to public ownership, but I think in a couple of months we'll be an economic powerhouse. We are a first world country, we're just running a deficit, like many others. On the bright side, we have a trade surplus. To answer your question, we're not a backwards country.

Q.Martha Abjol was recently selected to be a judge on the International Criminal Court, how do you feel about that, would you have nominated her?

I think she'll make a great addition to the ICC. She would have been on my shortlist, I'm not sure whether as my first choice or not, but she'd definitely be one of the top choices.

Q.What do you think South Kirkcaldy's foreign policy should look like?

I believe we should set up embassies, as we've been doing, but also take a more active role, such as making the Prime Minister more well known, around the world not aggressively, not at all, but through public events, and the broadcasting of our elections, and SKNB news, we could attend more international conferences, we shouldn't be isolationist, but also shouldn't get involved in affairs that don't concern us, it's a fine line.

Q. How do you see our education system?

I believe that every child should be given equal opportunities by having the classroom geared towards specific needs. What I mean is that each child should be judged a at a certain age and sent to one of four different schools, that would each be geared towards specific children, like one for excelling children, one for kids that have trouble reading, etc. it should be based on individuals not on large groups of kids, each as different as the next, judging it that way is just naive.

Q. Do you think religion will ever play a role in our society?

Atheism and Agnosticism are the two most prevalent religious beliefs in the nation, and our politicians reflect that, I really don't see, and hope not to see, religious influence in public, day-to-day life.

Q. Finally, do you believe that there is a point where Civil Rights can be withheld?

Equality is never ending, you can't give different rights to different people, no matter what, everyone is entitled to equal rights no less, no matter how much law enforcement complains.*laughs*

Thank you for your time Mr. Blears, I think you may get more votes than you think, after this article is released.

Let's hope! It was a great pleasure to be interviewed by the great Frank Gillibrand.

We will have full election coverage in our next article, complete with national results and leader's seats.

[South Kirkcaldy]

Election Ties!

CA leader Simone Monat waits to cast her vote in her home constituency of Rothar Valley. (below) A polling card at one voting station.

As our larger constituencies still continue to finish counting their votes, the results that are already in show South Kirkcaldy steaming toward a hung Parliament. Late last night, with about 70% of the votes counted, it was a virtual tie between Monat and Prime Minister Balls. The results of the largest party leader's seats are below:

Poole West
David Balls (PS)- 57%
David Steele (LL)- 31%
Myrtle Cabtain (CA)-12%
Others: <1%

Wellingborough
Andrew Blears (LL)- 39%
Mary Sandered (PS)- 33%
Tony Vargas (CA)- 26%
Others- 2%

Rothar Valley
Simone Monat (CA)- 42%
Timothy Chace (LL)- 29%
Mary Turat (PS)- 26%
Others-3%

Judging from these seats, you'd think that the PS would have done better than 2006. We will update you with further election results as the day goes on.

[South Kirkcaldy]

BREAKING NEWS:

Monat to Become Prime Minister

News has leaked that when Parliament resumes on Wednesday that they will select Simone Monat to become Prime MInister, this is groundbreaking in that she'll become the first female Prime Minister and the first Prime Minister of African descent in South Kirkcaldy history. Prime Minister Balls is expected to resign to make room for Monat. Monat, however, is expected to try and form a working government without a working majority.

Our inside source also reports that the position of Foreign Secretary will be taken up by Joan Palme, other postions will be announced Wednesday.

8 years ago we wished luck to Prime Minister Balls, today we wish luck to Simone Monat on her new government.

[Kaputer]

Damm I really like Dick Balls.

[South Kirkcaldy]

Don't worry, he's not done yet, there's an RP coming later this month...

[South Kirkcaldy]

Verandah Strikes at Monat

Today, Foreign Secretary Hillary Verandah gave a biting speech about apparent Prime Minister Simone Monat. The speech went as follows,

For eight years we, the Balls Government, have fought to reduce inequality and stop the spread of Capitalism which sought to destroy our nation. I remember a time years ago when the government didn't offer welfare and just let it citizens die in the street, I see that coming back in the new Monat government. Simone Monat seeks to make the rich richer, and the poor poorer by privatising industry and creating neo-liberal policies in relation to the market, and it sickens me that this woman would be allowed into Parliament, much less the Prime Ministry. The PS fought tooth and nail for eighteen years and we made each year better for all the citizens of South Kirkcaldy, specifically this year when Capitalism was finally banned by the government. I just don't want to see us fall backwards, and I see that in Monat and her destructive regime."

Foreign Secretary Verandah seems to insinuate that this won't be the last we hear of her, and probably not the last time we hear from the Progressive Socialists in general.

We will keep you up to date on the newest developments in the 2010 general election.

[South Kirkcaldy]

Monat Announces Her Government Composition

Prime Minister Apparent Simone Monat has made public the list of MPs who will ascend with her to government positions. The list, which has been highly anticipated since she was declared winner of the election yesterday morning, contains the names of the MPs who will take up the five most important positions in her ministry. The photos follow the order of the names:

Foreign Affairs Secretary-Joan Palme

Defense Minister-Christopher Harkins

Chief Civil Servant-Shana Ludwigsberg

First Lord of the Treasury- Jack Benn

A new speaker of Parliament will be chosen on Wednesday morning, before Balls' resignation

We apologise for the size difference in the pictures.

[South Kirkcaldy]

A Meeting Between Balls & Blears

As you can see from the picture above, Prime Minister Balls on the last day of his government chose to visit Andrew Blears. This wouldn't be newsworthy if it hadn't been done in absolute secrecy. The Prime Minister met with the LL leader for about a hour and a half, before leaving just as quietly as he came. Two huge political figures don't meet in secrecy to have tea, most a speculating that this bears ill omen for the Monat Government. These past few days have all held bad signs for the incoming ministry. Speculations range from coalition building, to votes of no confidence, to a vote to back one of them Speaker of Parliament. One thing is for certain: whatever was discussed will surely be unveiled in the coming weeks.

Now, it could be all that or it could have just been this:

Most likely it had to do with the Monat government, though.

[South Kirkcaldy]

Seamus selected as Speaker

Ann Seamus, the MP for Shrewsbury & Atcham for the CA, was selected this morning to become Speaker of Parliament. Seamus is a three term MP first elected in 2002. She is the first woman to hold the post and the first member of the CA to hold the post in over 20 years. She was chosen in a 32-30-8 split, obviously a partisan vote. This is Seamus' first leadership position in all her years of service. She will succeed Martin Cowerst.

In other news on this first day of Parliament, the newly elected Speaker will ask Simone Monat, on the behalf of Parliament, to form a government. Prime Minister Balls has scheduled his resignation for 3:00 this afternoon. Monat will be take up office just minutes later. Simone Monat's official portrait will unveiled at that time.

[South Kirkcaldy]

Monat Becomes PM

Approximately a half hour ago Prime Minister Balls resigned. Simone Monat arrived at the Prime Minister's official residence minutes later and spoke those famous twelve words, "Parliament has selected me to become Prime Minister, and I have accepted". This ends nearly two decades of Progressive Socialist control in the government. This is somewhat of a bittersweet moment for the new PM because her party only has a majority of two seats should by-elections change the party controlling those two seats elections would automatically be triggered by South Kirkcaldy law. Prime Minister Monat has said, jokingly, that her first step as PM will be to assign security detail to the oldest and most 'accident likely' Centrist Alliance MPs.

[South Kirkcaldy]

Robin Mandelson Dead at 80

Robin Mandelson, the MP for Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross, has died at the age of 80. Mandelson was first elected to Parliament in 1971 at the age of 41 as a member of the Centrist Alliance in a by-election. He has successfully defended his seat in ten general elections.

Mandelson was born 4 April, 1930 to Mr. & Mrs. Calvin (May Ridgeworth) Mandelson. He graduated third in his Du Sade Secondary School Class of 1948. He attended Wingtip University and graduated with Second Class Honors in 1952. Then he chose to attend Euro University to receive a Magister Iuris. He went on to become a barrister in Family Court after being admitted to the bar in 1956, belonging to Gray's Inn. In 1971 a by-election was forced in Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross after the incumbent MP was killed in a automobile accident. Mandelson was preceded in death by his wife Marna, in 2004, and survived by one son, Piers(born 1970). His funeral will be held on 13 July, he will be cremated afterwords.

On the political side of the argument, this loss of an MP reduces the CA to a one seat majority for the time being. This seat was previously considered safe, but will be mercilessly attacked by the the PS and LL who are hoping to push the CA out of power.

The by-election date, which is determined by the Speaker, will be held Sunday 11 July, 2010.

[South Kirkcaldy]

New Government Receives Low Marks

The first opinion poll taken of Simone Monat's government show her approval ratings very low for a new Prime Minister, 40%. Many people are not happy with her government appointees, namely Shana Ludwigsberg as Chief Civil Servant. The polls also asked a question about a future election, the polls showed Monat trailing David Balls by about 5%. The polls show the PS at 40%, the CA at 35%, and the LL at 25%. Many rumors are now floating around of a vote of no confidence, which wouldn't be hard to pass due to the hung Parliament, that would force elections. This slip in the polls also does not bear well for the by-election in Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross to replace the late Robin Mandelson. If Ms. Monat wants to keep her government intact, it looks like she'll have to do some of that campaigning that got her party elected.

The results of the by-election in Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross will most likely be unveiled at about seven o'clock tonight, seeing as it's Sunday and it's only a by-election, the polls will close earlier, at six o'clock. SKNB news will bring you live coverage tonight.

[South Kirkcaldy]

Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross Falls to Leftist Libertarians

Jo Wilders of the Leftist Libertarians has won the constituency of Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross. The seat was previously considered safe for the Centrist Alliance. Many analysts are already questioning how this happened. Most seem to agree that it was due to the rather low popularity rating of the Monat government and the conservative views of the CA candidate. The seat that was previously held by Robin Mandelson for 39 years is most likely a sign of ill things to come for the Monat government and the CA party. This result leaves Parliament at an even bigger impasse as it puts the new composition at: CA-31 seats, PS-30 seats, LL-9 seats. The full results of the by-election are as follows:

Jo Wilders (LL)-16,001 (39.8%)
Ratu Harpson (CA)- 14,645 (36.4%)
Marti Rowe (PS)9,478 (23.6%)
Others-<1%

[South Kirkcaldy]

Assassination Attempt on Monat

As most of you, our dear followers, already know, there was an assassination attempt on the Prime Minister yesterday afternoon. At about one o'clock yesterday an armed and disguised assassin approached Prime Minister Monat and opened fire on her entourage, his aim happened to be poor and he only hit a building and a hat that Monat's aide was wearing. This all happened at an establishment downtown where the PM was having lunch. The picture above was taken just moments before the attack and before Monat was rushed into her car. Monat says today that, "It was just a frivolous attack by a deranged citizen and that he needs mental help, not punishment." No information regarding the investigation has been made public.

[Kaputer]

OOC: Where can I address a condemnation of the assassination attempt.

[South Kirkcaldy]

OOC: I'm not starting an RP for this. If you want to condemn it, please do it on the election thread.

[South Kirkcaldy]

Balls Expected to Resign as Leader of Progressive Socialists

David Balls is expected to resign as leader of the Progressive Socialists soon after his return from Limbaugh Island. Rumors of his resignation started when his party lost the 2010 elections in a shocking upset. However, the fuel on the fire was his taking a mission to Limbaugh Island when he would have been at PMQ's. David Balls has very rarely missed PMQ's, and this is the first time he's missed them since becoming Leader of the Opposition. This is all despite his continuously high approval ratings and lead in the polls over Simone Monat and the CA.

Along with any talk of resignation comes talk of replacements. Hillary Verandah and Alan Cohln are repeatedly mentioned as possible successors. So far, no one has announced their intent to run for PS leadership, though any candidate would have to get through the nomination process. It is unknown why Balls is resigning while he is still so popular.

More Coverage to come.

[South Kirkcaldy]

Rose Ashton is First MP to announce Candidacy for Leadership Election

Backbench MP Rose Ashton, Burton, has declared her intention to run for Leadership of the Progressive Socialist in the coming leadership election, following the resignation of David Balls, whenever that date is. Ms. Ashton was first elected to Parliament in 1998. Ashton has been married for 24 years and has one son, Edward. She was considered a candidate for Speaker of the House in 2002, before she declared that she had no interest. Ashton is the first of what will likely be many candidates vying for the title.

We will keep you up to date on the news concerning the leadership election.

[South Kirkcaldy]

Two More Candidates Announce Leadership Election Bid

Today, two more candidates announced themselves for the Progressive Socialist Leadership election. Mrs. Annette Mowlam and Mr. Peter Reid.

Annette Mowlam is the MP for Down North. She was first elected in 1998 and was the Under-Chief Civil Servant for the last year of the Gerald Cologner government. She is a backbencher. Mowlam has been married 30 years and has a son, Riley.

Peter Reid is the MP for Ellesmere Port & Neston. He was first elected in 1992 and has never had a ministry position. Reid was married to Sylvia Reid from 1979 to 1988. He has a son, Jay, and a daughter, Gina.

We will keep you updated on the PS leadership election as it happens.

[South Kirkcaldy]

Three More MP's Announce Candidacy for Leadership

As of yesterday morning three more PS MP's had announced their intent to stand for the leadership of their party. In order of their pictures they are: Yvette Recordon, MP for Thirsk & Malton, Simon Major, MP for Battersea, and Guy Gillard, MP for Redcar.

Ms. Recordon was first elected to Parliament in 1996 as the MP for Thirks & Malton. In 1998 she was appointed Chief Civil Service Minister for Communities & Local Government, she left that position in 2002 at the start of the Ball Ministry. She was married for 39 years from 1970 to 2009, when she was widowed. She has two children from that marriage, a son, Ewan, born 1972, and a daughter, Naomi, born 1977.

Mr. Major was first elected to Parliament in 1992 as the MP for Battersea. He was Deputy Defence Minister from 2000-2002 in the Cologner government. He has been married for 24 years and has two children, a son, Channing, born 1988, and a daughter, Quentin, born 1994.

Mr. Gillard was first elected to Parliament in 1996 as the MP for Redcar. He was briefly Chancellor of the Exchequer (also known as Second Lord of the Treasury)for the last year of of Gerald Cologner's Government, and for the first year and a half of Balls' Ministry. He has been married for 42 years and has three children, Chester, born 1971, Beatrice, born 1975, and Gordon, born 1979.

More leadership election coverage to come.

[South Kirkcaldy]

New Polls Are Good For Government, LL, Not for PS

Polls, released yesterday, show that Prime Minister Monat has regained her lead. This news is bittersweet for her, as, while she maintains her lead by three percent, she is predicted to lose seats. The polls are as follows:

Centrist Alliance, 40%(28 seats, down 3 seats)
Progressive Socialists, 37%(26 seats, down 4 seats)
Leftist Libertarians, 23%(16 seats, up 7 seats)


We will keep you updated on the latest polling and the leadership election in the PS, which appears to be causing their loss in the polls.

[South Kirkcaldy]

One Last Candidate Makes Leadership Bid Official in Last Minutes of Open Nomination Phase

Marla Komorowski has become the final Progressive Socialist Member of Parliament to declare her intent to stand for leader of the party. Ms. Komorowski has been the MP for Aberconwy since 2006. She has never married and has no children. She is a noted Maoist.

We will keep you updated as the next round of the leadership election goes on.

[South Kirkcaldy]

Komorowski Elected Leader of the Progressive Socialists, Opposition.

In a 54%-45% race, Marla Komorowski, MP for Aberconwy, defeated Yvette Recordon in the final round of the Progressive Socialist leadership election to become the next PS leader and the Leader of the Opposition. The noted maoist has said that, while she will fight for the environment and agriculture, "Radical Democracy is an important part of South Kirkcaldy, as well as Social Liberalism, not economic liberalism, mind you, social. Economically, our top priority should be maintaining a nationalised economy and holding firm our ban on Capitalism." Ms. Komorowski will take up her post on Saturday, after announcing her new front bench team tomorrow.

Acting Leader Hillary Verandah, who will most likely be moved off the front bench, said that Komorowski is " Overall a great candidate, extremely qualified, able to keep us strongly left of centre, and who I hope can return us to government."

Many top PS politicians have praised Komorowski's election, seeing it as a good change of pace. The full repercussions of this cannot be known until after she takes up office, possibly, not until the next election.

We will keep you updated on all matters concerning the government's policies.