The Cooperative Union (CU) Commission IC (TWI ONLY) CLOSED

[Tectonix]

"I have just received news from back in Ainslie that there are plans to have a referendum on leaving the Cooperative Union. My superiors would like to know whether a Free Trade Agreement between Ainslie and the CU would be possible - with negotiations beginning immediately. If this referendum was to be held, it looks like it would pass with a 5-10% majority at this current time. Our party cannot afford to stay in the CU under the current terms which stand before us, or else we'll lose the next election and another government will do it - one a lot more rash and extreme than us."

Entemont furrowed his brow. "Now, that certainly doesn't seem pleasant. Tell us, Mrs. Kingsmill, what are your government's grievances with the current operations?"

[Ainslie]

"We fear that Ainslie ideologically is too divided from the CU now and recent resolutions have not met the same welcome in our nation compared to others."

[Ainslie]

Eleane Gifford, the foreign minister of Ainslie, rushed into the building and walked quite fast before walking through the doors and showing her ID card.

"Ariloyae and Hello honourable representatives. Prime Minister Kenzai has sent me to discuss our place in the Union further. I am the Foreign Minister of Ainslie, and I have the official authority to discuss certain matters that Kingsmill does not or is not informed on. We were surprised by the recent discontent amongst the populous and it seems that things are only getting worse."

Kingsmill quickly vacated her chair and sat in the one next to it, ready to support Gifford. Gifford sat in what was Kingsmill's chair.

[Tectonix]

As the parliamentarian, Ambassador Entemont frowned and looked at the Standing Rules, unfortunately not finding any provisions over an exchanging of delegates.

"Um, welcome, Madam Minister, to this venerable hall. To what do we owe this pleasure?"

[Ainslie]

I am here to discuss Ainslie's place in the CU, and examine the likelihood of an FTA with the union if we were to leave it. We would also like to know other options which could be available to us, such as partial membership. An exemption from the Treaty of Travencia City would also be seen favourably, but we understand the logistical issues surrounding that. As the CU becomes increasingly united, we see that we do not prescribe to the common ideology of the Union as much as we need to be. However we are in favour of still working with the CU on projects - it is just that we believe it is in Ainslie's and the CU's interests to have the two entities more distant from each other than currently. We are still looking for collaboration and cooperation, but we do not support the increasingly unifying forces at play in the alliance.

[Athara Magarat]

Kyle maintained his silence but listened attentively to the unfolding situation.

[West Suomi]

Ethan kept quiet. He had gotten quite a shock from the news about Ainslie possibly leaving the CU.

[Covonant]

Ambassador Gannica was a bit taken by Ainslie's sudden decision at referendum. He nonetheless had no qualms over their decision.

"I am somewhat surprised by the Ahnslen decision to hold a referendum on their membership in this organisation. I hope Covonant's move at holding a referendum of its own did not influence our Ahnslen counterpart. It would be hypocritical of me to say that you should not seek to hold a referendum for your people to determine their future. I however believe that if a member state be it Ainslie or Covonant decides to leave then we can't expect to get special treatments. Our decision to leave means that our people and governments believe that they can chart their own path and destiny, and the CU has made it clear concerning the relation between CU member states and non member states, and if Ainslie or Covonant decides to leave then we are non member states. As it relates to trade, I have no opposition to a Ahnslen CU trade agreement but I see where such occurrence can't come until the forming of the CU trade board which is integral to individual trade agreements with the CU, but my hope is to see such institution created soon. I can state that with the Treaty of Travencia City now a CU law it does not only apply to CU member states but third party non CU member states which would mean Ainslie nor Covonant in the event of a leave can be exempted from it. As per that treaty the CU trade board and this commission would have the final say. I don't believe in the notion of partial membership and i have been examining CU laws and no where such stipulations are made. To the foreign minister, it's either Ainslie is in the union or not. Covonant in the event of leaving would never ask for partial membership as it would be a slap in the face for Covonantians who voted to leave. And why would you want partial membership anyways if your country does not prescribe to CU ideology. Now minister, if your country has an issue with the way the CU conducts its affairs your representative have equal power to the other delegates here to either call for reforms or implement new laws. Covonant supports the CU that is why the administration had committed to sending proper representation. We have issues with some parts of CU laws and I look to bring them to this chamber for redress. But the difference with Covonant's reason on holding a referendum is not because we believe in a difference in ideology of the CU to Covonant but because we believe the Covonantian people were robbed of the right to determine whether they want to be in this union or not. I will support whatever results the Ahnslen people decide and if before Covonant calls for her referendum, will ensure that Ahnslen removal from this union is smooth as possible. "

Gannica turned his mic off and wondered if he was witnessing the end to a great alliance, he hoped not as he wanted to continue in his role.

[Ainslie]

We are not looking to have a referendum. Our people want it, but our administration is trying to get a good deal to take back home which would ease the people's concerns. We are willing to discuss a CU-Ainslie FTA under the trade board, as we see a single market with the existing zone as beneficial to all participants. If we were to hold a referendum, our government needs a good platform that could convince the people to stay within the Union.

[Covonant]

Well according to the Treaty of Travencia City there has been a three month hold on all trade agreements and the commencement of such would not begin until October. Ainslie would have to wait until then to start the negotiations.

[Ainslie]

Since we brought up that provision, it could get struck out if we left. This is unless other nations see value in it.

[Covonant]

Majority would have to vote to see it removed. I would have no problem on voting to have it removed but we still have not created the CU trade board nor any committees to conduct the negotiations. I should state however that if you look through the Treaty of Tracencia City you will see your country will still have to show some similarities to the cooperative papers, hoping that won't conflict with your ideologies. Just curious by when does Ainslie intends to hold the referendum?

[Ainslie]

There is no formal date planned for the referendums at this point in time, and its likely that the Judicial Council will override what we do and give the people a referendum. Our administration does not want a referendum and we are trying to ease the people's minds by getting them a compromise. We have ideological similarities, I am certain of that. However, we seem to be at odds with the wider union on most issues and as the Union becomes increasingly united, people back home are getting cautious and uncomfortable about all this. They believe that Ainslie is not aligned enough.

[Tectonix]

Mr. Entemont sighed, wondering what he could do to keep Ainslie around.

"Although I understand the current predicament of the Ahnlsen administration, I believe we have it in our powers to alleviate their trade concerns in particular. My fellow delegates, the potential exit of a member-state should take priority on our agenda, which I why I move to table Resolution 05 and begin nominations for the CU Trade Board. This is a highly important office, and we can't leave it vacant forever."

[West Suomi]

"Mr. Entemont, sorry if this is a stupid question, but how many directors will there be for the CUTB? One from each member-state?" Mr. Wright asked

[Tectonix]

"Mr. Entemont, sorry if this is a stupid question, but how many directors will there be for the CUTB? One from each member-state?" Mr. Wright asked

Mr. Entemont frowned as he scanned through the resolution. "It appears there has been no stipulation for that, Mr. Wright. Due to this, per my faculties as Parliamentarian, I request that Mr. Gannica state how many directors can be nominated to the CUTB."

[Ainslie]

"May I make myself clear, after a previous error. The Ahnslen Government does not want to have a referendum. We are sitting here trying to ease and satisfy the Ahnslen people enough, so they do not leave."

[Covonant]

I believe no more than 3 directors are needed for the CUTB.

[Verona Beach]

"It is a shame to see our military partner and trade partner potentially leave our shared organization. I can't see how your people would want to leave, there's not many benefits to leaving. Although, it's the people's will, and that's democracy, right?"

Sir Nigel sighed, wiping his glasses with his handkerchief.

[Tectonix]

Noticing the lack of discussion in the chamber, and the very evident issue with regards to Resolution 00, Entemont made his way over to the centre of the Dais so he may address the entire Commission.

"Fellow delegates, as Parliamentarian, and with accordance to Resolution 00, I officially move the Commission into Session II of its existence. As such, the Dais shall be relegated to interim status so we may begin discussions regarding the election of a new leader."

"After much scouring of the Treaty of Coventry, I was unable to discover a provision regarding a leader for the CU, which I found to be a gross oversight. As such, it is my opinion as Interim Parliamentarian that the head of the CU shall be the Secretary-General. The Secretary-General shall serve the dual roles of Secretary-General and Chairperson of the Commission — as such, they will be voted upon with the same ballot. The Secretary-General must be nominated, or be self-nominate. All nominations require a second and the acceptance of the nominee. Upon the completion of the seventy-two hour nomination period, a forty-two hour of campaigning and debate shall begin. At the end of that period, the Office of the Interim Parliamentarian, in the interest of impartiality from the Interim Chairman, will conduct the vote. It shall be IRV-based, and voting will last seventy-two hours. The ballots shall be secret ballots (OOC: TGs). If the delegates have any questions, please speak now before nominations begin."

[Noronica]

"I have just one question. Can there be a Secretary General from the same country more than once in succession or is the country which used to have the Secretary General for the previous term expected to stand down from submitting a candidate?"

[Tectonix]

Entemont pondered this, before replying, "Term limits are something that would need to come in the form of an amendment to the Treaty of Coventry — I have already stretched my powers to allot for an election at all, so I it is my opinion that as of now, there are no term limits. Covonant is free to self-nominate, but like all other nominations, they require a second to be placed on the ballot."

[Noronica]

Harold nodded in acceptance of Entemont's reply, "So for the interests in sticking to our election deadline, you suggest this proposed amendment for term limits should be actioned upon and debated after the election? I would most deinfitely be in favour of this for the sake of simplicity." He turned to the other delegates, "Would this be agreeable to the Commission?"

[Tectonix]

Harold nodded in acceptance of Entemont's reply, "So for the interests in sticking to our election deadline, you suggest this proposed amendment for term limits should be actioned upon and debated after the election? I would most deinfitely be in favour of this for the sake of simplicity." He turned to the other delegates, "Would this be agreeable to the Commission?"

"Indeed. After the election, Tectonix will be submitting the High Ordinance resolution to establish a Secretariat for the entirety of the CU, along with how it is to be elected. Such a resolution will include a two-term limit and the electoral system I've laid out — more on that, I cannot say, seeing as it is still being developed."

"I will allot for some more time on general discussion, though just know that we cannot continue with this session after August without an election. If we do, the CU Commission itself would be in violation of Resolution 00 — either executive action would need to be taken by the Interim Chairperson to dissolve the Commission and independently elect a Secretary-General, which would be madness, or the Commission would need to jam through a repeal-and-replace resolution. Both options are awful, which is why I stress again that this election is critical to the future of the CU as a whole. We cannot delay this any further." He emphasised the last sentence to make sure it was so loud it reverberated in the chamber walls, so no one could claim to not hear him.

[Ainslie]

I find it difficult to see why we require a Secretary-General beyond the idea of an administrator and a 'head' of various committees. Perhaps multiple commissioners may be more favourable than a set leader. A CU 'leader' would further portray to the rest of the Isles that we act as one nation - which is quite the contrary. This is part of the reason I believe Ahnslens are uneasy about this union. I also do not believe in a few nations looking to create this sort of change and motion in the union. Ainslie is not in favour of having a single 'chairperson' of the commission, nor will we be in support of a Secretary-General in the functions that we believe they will serve under the current proposals.

Summing up, chief administrator and commissioners we support, creating sole figures in charge of so much, we are not.