Liberals Warn Afalia's International Influence and Position Will Fall with a Lucas Win
Latin Politicians Amongst International Figures To Criticise Lucas Free Trade Deal Policy
3rd September-Last Updated 18:40 AST-For facts and truth in a dangerous world
THE CONSERVATIVES HAVE dismissed reports of internal fights and disagreements between the traditionalist and moderate factions over party leader Roger Lucas' Belisarian free trade deal policy. Mr Lucas' criticism and promise to re-negotiate the trade deal, signed between Afalia and the Belisarian community in 2000, has become an unlikely political issue in the last days of the campaign. Mr Lucas, a firm supporter of the Traditionalist Coalition, adopted their skeptical attitude towards the BC deal as part of the Conservative manifesto, a move that took many by surprise, especially members of the party's moderate Centrist Alliance faction. Reports first outlined in the Blackdon Daily Journal have shown that prominent members of the Centrist Alliance are attempting to either remove or tone down Mr Lucas' rhetoric on the BC trade deal ahead of polling day on Thursday.
The reports of internal disputes come as politicians from the international community have expressed skepticism and disquiet at the Conservatives' free trade policy. Speaking off the cuff to journalists on Saturday the Belisarian High Commissioner Florentine Verruscosi, from Latium, expressed surprise at Mr Lucas' and the Conservative position on the trade deal, 'I see very little to gain in tearing up the agreement,' he said, 'Would we be open to renegotiation? Well, if things play out in Mr. Lucas's favor, I can't say that what I've seen gives me much hope. But we'll see.' Mr Verruscosi was joined by the Latin consul Alexander Pompilius, a member of the centre-right United Latium, in criticising the Conservative policy, 'Latins, and by extension all Belisarians, have benefited from this agreement. Afalians have benefited from this agreement. What is the issue? It is my hope, regardless of the election results, that the agreement remains in its current form.'
The Liberals have seized on the comments suggesting in a press release late on Friday that a 'Conservative election win would result in a fall of international influence and respect for Afalia, alongside the dangers of tearing up an agreement that has brought us prosperity.' Treasurer of Afalia Eleanor Dawkins, speaking to the public on the campaign trial answered a question from a floating voter with regards to the Conservative policy, saying 'All the economic indicators and all the economists have shown and agreed that the trade deal has increased our prosperity, increased Afalian businesses' trade with the BC and increased the stability of our economic standing.'
Privately Liberals have also said that the reported splits within the party show the weakness of the Conservative position. One unnamed Liberal cabinet minister told the Journal that, 'the fact that you have a centre-right party in Latium criticising the Tories on this one, and Roger Lucas in particular, shows how far off he seems to be.' Commentators believe that part of Mr Lucas' policy has been his attempt to draw away right wing voters from National Afalia where, in rural areas, they are doing well. 'National Afalia's economic isolationism and protectionism certainly seems to be a motivation for Lucas' policy. He's trying to, possibly unsuccessful, steal back this constituency,' Dominique Bellows, a political scientist from the Institute of Afalian Government said in response to this paper's questions today.
Analysts however say that the chances of Mr Lucas reversing his position are unlikely given the solid polling lead the Conservatives are enjoying and the dominance of his right wing Traditionalist Coalition faction. Ms Bellows added, 'Currently we're looking at Lucas and the Conservatives winning with 170 seats in the Commons, a very large majority. While the Centrist Alliance may cause some problems for Lucas overall he will have a good grip if our predictions are right.'
The comments from two senior Latin politicians on the international stage are two clear examples from what many foreign policy analysts have identified as a worry over the free trade deal policy. While most politicians will not express official views most commentators believe that Mr Lucas' policy of re-negotiating the trade deal or withdrawing would be largely unwelcome, especially amongst Belisarian Community members, as a needlessly destructive and risky enterprise. Markets reacted poorly to the reveal of the policy by Mr Lucas and while they have recovered have seen jitters across the election campaign.
Polls will open on Thursday for election day between 7AM and 10PM across Afalia's time zones. A record 18 million people are registered to vote in the elections with turnout expected to be high. In the last week both the Liberal and Conservative campaigns are expected to return to their broadly central themes, the Liberals promising continued stability and prosperity with radical social and political reforms while the Conservatives will make restoring a strong, growing economy their central plank and appeal to value voters against 'Liberal university style experiments,' opposing their social reform policies.
In a special ecumenical service in Blackdon today the Prime Minister Jessica Shaw, Roger Lucas, Martin Jones and Robert Ziimtoo, joined the Archbishop of Cantwell and Archbishop of Kingwalk, heads of the Church of Afalia and Catholic Church in Afalia, for a prayer for 'peace, fairness, justice and decency as the campaign draws to a close and polling takes place.' Afterwards the four party leaders took part in a Traditional Aafaliiaan blessing ceremony in central Blackdon.
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