Political History of South Eastern Africa
Introduction
Since the General Election of 1959 the government of South Eastern Africa (SEA) has been formed by the National Party, either alone or in a coalition with a minor party. After 54 years in power the National Party remains fully committed to its policy of Apartheid and retains popular support amongst the white community of SEA. Following re-election in 2008 with another landslide victory the National Party are set to win another 5 year term in 2013.
Recent History
Following Kirlawa’s defeat by Germany in 1940, and the subsequent removal of the Kirlawan Government and Royal Family to the UK and then SEA it was agreed that SEA would become an independent country in 1944. The National Party had come to power for the first time in 1941 on a platform of independence and through unwavering support for Kirlawa and the Allies in WW2 they were able to achieve their goal.
The pre-war Unionist and Liberal Party formed a coalition as the United Party and in 1946 were able to win the first general election in an independent SEA. They governed for 5 years and offered full SEA support to the UN in Korea and to Kirlawa in its attempt to retain its South East Asian colonies in the Indo-Kirlawan War. A post-war economic boom and a rising tide of immigration from Europe swelled the country’s economy and the United Party easily won re-election in 1951.
The failure of Kirlawan forces to recover its territory in South East Asia and the election victory of the Socialist Party in Kirlawa led to a worsening of relations between the motherland and the former colony. Changing trade relationships and Kirlawas efforts to join the EEC led to a downturn in the SEA economy and in 1956 the United Party narrowly scraped back into power having lost seats to the rejuvenated National Party and the Labour Party. They were only able to stay in power following a deal with the Labour Party.
By 1959 this coalition had fractured massively and wasn’t helped by outside events. The Kirlawan Prime Minister, on a visit to SEA, stated that he believed white rule in SEA should be ended and that significant steps should be taken to ensure that the black population was incorporated into power structures within the country. The speech caused uproar amongst the white community. Although the United Party had committed itself to gradual extension of the franchise and providing opportunity for blacks to take part in public life, the speech undermined their moderate approach. Although the liberal wing of the United Party and the Labour Party were in agreement that majority rule should happen one day, there was not any real support for such a move amongst the white electorate. In the 1959 general election the National Party was returned to power for the first time in 14 years in a landslide majority, crushing the United Party and defeating the Labour Party in a lot of its white working class strongholds.
From 1959 the National Party have governed uninterrupted, winning majorities in 1963, 1968, 1973, 1977, governing in coalition with the United Party in 1982, then winning majorities from 1985, 1990, 1994, 1999, 2003 and again in 2008.
As soon as they took power in 1959 the National Party entrenched the political and economic system to ensure that white minority rule could be preserved. Copying their sister party in South Africa, the Nationals implemented full scale Apartheid to ensure that SEA wouldn’t be affected by the chaos in neighbouring black states as they gained independence from their colonial masters. This brought SEA a great deal of international condemnation and led to violence against neighbouring states and from the internal black population.
In 1965 an internal terrorist campaign by Black Nationalist began, and in 1973 an 18 Border War between SEA and Nuwaubia began. The Nuwaubians backed by Cuban, Soviet and East German technical advisors supported Black insurgents who attempted to overthrow the SEA government. This led to open conflict between the 2 nations in 1978 and again in 1984 when SEA Armed Forces directly intervened in a Nuwabian civil war. Involvement continued until 1991, when a peace treaty was formally signed and the Border War ended.
Stability and economic growth ensured that SEA was able to survive and even thrive following international sanctions, and the white population continued to expand as SEA managed to persuade white immigrants from Europe and other African states to move to SEA.
In domestic politics the United Party provided the main opposition party until the late 1970’s. However due to the conservatism of the United Party leadership, younger more liberal members left the party in the early 1970’s to form the Progressive Party along with liberal elements of the Labour Party. From this point onwards the United Party became a rump movement, although still able to win seats, especially in Oraanjevaal.
Following the end of Apartheid in South Africa in 1994 many observers imagined that SEA would follow suit, however in the autumn of that the Nationals were reelected with a thumping majority. Throughout the mid-90’s however the Nationals initiated a series of liberalising measures and this led to the splitting away of right-wing members of the party to form the Reformed National Party, campaigning on a total commitment to maintaining Apartheid. In the 1999 election the RNP gained a large proportion of the vote, splitting the National vote and almost leading to a victory for the Progressive Party who gained many seats, on a similar share of the vote to 1994. The National Party relied on the United Party to support some of its policies, before shifting to a hard right-wing stance in the early 2000’s which allowed the party to regain much of its lost support.
With international interest focused on the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and economic difficulties, SEA survives as one of the few remaining white minority regimes in NS. With the National Party controlling government and firmly entrenched throughout society this is unlikely to change in the near future and the party expect to win again in 2013.
2008 General Election
National Party – 84 Seats
Progressive Party – 15 Seats
Reformed National Party – 6 Seats
United Party – 3 Seats
Labour Party – 2 Seats
Right-wing Independents – 4 Seats
Progressive Independent – 1 Seat
The 2008 general election saw the collapse of the United Party to their core vote in Oranjevaal. However it was the National Party who mostly benefitted as the Progressives were unable to make any headway in their key target seats. The RNP steadily lost ground although continued to hold some strength in rural areas of the Frontier Province.
Electoral System
The election is fought under First Past the Post. SEA is split into 115 single member consituencies, the candidate with the largest number of votes is elected as a Member of Parliament.
Political Parties
National Party – Formed in 1918, the party has governed SEA continuously since 1959.
Leader – Jans Hayden
Ideology – The National Party are socially conservative and economically liberal but favour mild protectionism. Fully committed to Apartheid although they have loosened the complexity of the system and removed pretty Apartheid from public institutions. Solid ties with the business community and strong support from the electorate the party leadership focuses on securing international agreements with the limited number of country’s that are willing to engage with SEA. The National Party avoids overt racism, relying on its complete control of SEA in order to tone down its toxic domestic policies when dealing with outsiders.
Campaign Issues – Committed to maintaining economic growth. Believes that SEA is a good place to live and that the electorate would be foolish to risk change.
Support base – As a mass party the Nationals enjoy support across the country from all backgrounds. Historically strong in rural areas, they also enjoy support from workers, business elites, the middle classes and mainstream white Churches. As a conservative party they struggle amongst progressive voters, although they have been known to win seats in historically liberal areas on split votes.
Progressive Party – Formed in 1971 from socially liberal United Party members.
Leader – James O’Duffy
Ideology – The Progressive Party is the main Anti-Apartheid movement, having formed the opposition to the Nationals since the late 1970’s. The party is socially liberal, although tends to focus on opposing the National Party’s racism and militarism. Economically the party is split between a free market wing and an interventionist leftist wing.
Campaign Issues – Primarily campaign on an end to Apartheid, a decrease in defence spending and a shift to focusing on welfare and education.
Support base – Primarily middle class urban support base and liberal white Churches, with some appeal to leftist working class areas.
Reformed National Party – Formed in 1991, gained a huge increase of support in the 1999 elections although have declined in strength since then.
Leader – Wilhelm de Koorne
Ideology – Very socially conservative and protectionist, fully committed to upholding all of the tenants of Apartheid.
Campaign Issues – Campaigning against any Apartheid reforms, and for additional protectionism to support SEA agriculture.
Support base – Focused in rural areas, particularly sparsely populated or isolated white communities and fundamentalist Protestants.
United Party – Formed in 1945 from the old Unionist and Liberal Parties. Governed in the 1950’s, main opposition up until the 1970’s, has supported the National Party in coalition.
Leader – Viktoria Luvale
Ideology – The Party is committed to moderate reforms of the Apartheid system and the creation of a federal system to ensure that one race cannot dominate the others. Generally socially conservative, but economically very liberal.
Campaign Issues – Supports continued reforms of the Apartheid system, and the opening up of SEA to free trade.
Support base – Support base is much diminished, primarily exists amongst the middle class business community in Oranjevaal state, no longer has any seats in Cape or Frontier provinces where its support has largely shifted to the Progressive Party.
Labour Party – Formed in 1912, the oldest still existing party. Briefly part of a coalition government in the 1950’s.
Leader – Hermann Verhaffe
Ideology – Socialist, Anti-Apartheid.
Campaign Issues – The party campaigns for an end to Apartheid and the creation of a multiracial socialist country.
Support base – Historically supported by a minority of working class South Eastern African’s, primarily in highly unionised industries in major urban areas. However support is very limited and candidate personalities are key to building up their vote, currently have just 2 MP’s.
Independent Right-wingers - Various independents are elected to Parliament.
Leader - NA
Ideology – Varies between candidates, mostly to the right of the National Party and typically former National Party MP’s who have left the party. Taken as socially conservative and pro-Apartheid, differences over economic policies.
Campaign Issues – Typically locally based policies appealing to constituents.
Support base – Often in rural areas.
Independent Progressives – Various independents are elected to Parliament.
Leader - NA
Ideology – Varies, Helena Vartham is currently the only independent progressive MP. She is socially progressive but economically interventionist and is reasonably close to the Labour Party. Fully committed to ending Apartheid she is also one of few MPs who is an active campaigner for gay rights and environmental issues.
Campaign Issues – Helena Vartham campaigns on providing a non-party independent voice in Parliament and on representing her constituents, she is likely to be reelected. However other independent candidates are unlikely to be successful.
Support base – Limited to traditionally progressive areas in the capital city and its suburbs. Independent progressives tend to campaign in areas with a strong liberal tradition and where the National Party are weak, so as not to split the liberal vote.
Outlook
Opinion polls point to a reduction in the National Party share of the vote, although they are likely to retain a strong majority. The Progressives are aiming for 30 seats, the United and Labour Parties will continue to fight for their very existence and maybe be removed from Parliament altogether. The Reformed National Party is unlikely to do well, unless the National Party unveil new reforms, which is unlikely.
