SUNDAY 24 JANUARY 2016
MHOCPress: The Independent
Dynamic_12
Mepzie
Agentnola
TETP
Labour needs a strong leader to remain a broad church.
What would be the effect of a motion of no confidence on MHOC?
Are the Lords right to propose “wrecking amendments”
A breakdown of who won what at the Pulitzer Prize awards.
Voices Page 11
Voices, Page 16
Voices Page 12
News Page 5
Democrats, Socialists and Progressive Greens triumph in the American mid-terms
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Padanub is elected as Speaker. ● Padanub won in the second round, with 50.5% of the vote. ● There was only a 55% turnout. slowly revealed the results to the eagerly awaited Speakership election last Thursday. The tradition of teasHowever, only two ing results still hadn’t rounds were needed left MHOC as previous before we got to know Speaker athanaton who became the 4th
ROADTOTHESHOW
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Speaker of the House. In the second round of results, it was announced that exConservative member, Padanub, had passed the 50% threshold and subsequently taken
the office of Speaker of the House of the Commons. In an election where it looked like it was a two -horse race, it was somewhat surprising See more Page 4
Contents
Contents NEWS
INTERVIEWS
24.01.2016
Pulitzer Prize
US Elections
The Sun and agentnola win big; Endeavour snubbed.
An analysis of the Left -wing victory in the US Elections.
NewS Page 5
News, Page 6
JellyTom
Purpleslug
The DPM talks about the future of the Liberal Democrats.
The Secretary-General talks about the Classical Liberals.
Interviews Page 7
Interviews Page 9
VOICES
OkeleUK
Agentnola
How did the doomed Socialist Party win big in the election.
Why Britain benefits from having an unwritten constitution.
Voices Page 17
Voices, Page 14
TETP
PetrosAC
How a model economy has formed from MHOCWagers.
A lighter view on MHOC’s new rulers the Triumvirate.
Voices Page 13
VoicesPage 15
REFERENCES
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News
News
The Matrix Saturday
Tuesday
● Speaker Election poll opened.
● Bnzss passes vote of ● Padanub wins the confidence and becomes Speaker Election in the Head Moderator. 2nd round.
● HaveADream embroiled in MBBC DG election scandal Sunday ● Ajubbajub and Purpleslug are elected Liberal Democrat Deputy Leaders. Monday ● The Socialist Labour Party is formed.
● MHOCCSI has been formed Case 001: The next Head Moderator
Thursday
Progressive Greens surprising as well as the Democrats winning big. Saturday
● Padanub is sworn into office and becomes Speaker of the House of Commons.
● Motion 100 fails, but Motion 098 passes 62 to 20.
● ModelUSGov election results are announced with the Socialists and
sign up opens.
● Socialist Labour Party ● Lord Speaker nomina- 12 point plan is released. ● Second Prime Ministions open. Sunday ter’s Questions of the 7th Friday Government. ● Model Stock Exchange Wednesday
● MHOC Pulitzer Prize awards are held.
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News
Padanub sweeps Speakership Election promised that he will rewhen Padanub had 50% of main Speaker for at least 6 the votes already in the 1st months and can bring round. It was only after much needed security and Jas1066 votes were redisstability to the Speaker potributed when Padanub sition. With his experience managed to achieve a ma- on other forums, many jority in the election. members of the House Djenial, who has so far lost gave him their vote and in all 3 Speakership electrust to help MHOC survive tions to date, could only and thrive through what achieve 25% of the votes in seems to be one of it’s the 1st round. GoonerSam toughest periods. Padanub managed to come in 3rd had this to say on his victowith 11% of the votes. Infer- ry in the Speaker election: Padanub is dragged to the Speaker’s seat in the tradinoPlato managed to just ‘I'm humbled to of been tional manner by MPs after being elected as the Combeat alexwagbo to 4th with chosen as Speaker by the mons Speaker. one vote, while alexwagbo combined will of the came join 2nd last with this is a problem that beHouse. It was a great elec- Timanfya.’ RON. tion that I was truly nervA worrying statistic coming gins to fade. Padanub will be looking to, ous for and even though out of this election is, how- Padanub will be the first as his manifesto poster my Skype hasn't stopped ever, the voting turnout. Speaker to have to work unsuggests, stabilise MHOC blowing up, I'm ready for Which was a dramatic de- der a system. The Triumvifollowing on from the work the challenge. I hope to crease from the previous rate, after seeing success of previous Speakers. His reign for quite some time, Speakership election. Only across the ocean in Modpromise to stay for a long as I believe that this is what 55% of the eligible voters elUSGov has been impletime is much needed. With we need. True stable lead- voted. This is compared to mented in MHOC. With this being the 3rd Speaker- ership and reform in the the 71% of voters from the bnzss becoming the Head ship election within half a previous Speakership elec- Mod, replacing beloved year. Padanub has already tion. If we look towards to Timanfya, and the Lord the voting record of this Speaker (who hasn’t been government we can see elected yet, but the favourmany turnouts struggling ite is previous Lord Speakto get above 90%. The low- er, /u/GhoullishBulld0g ) est being 80%. This is after being the three members the expansion of the House to sit on the Trimulative. to 115 seats. Something Time will tell whether this that we might possibly re- was the right candidate to gret in the future. Although nominate as Speaker, and Padanub will certainly be whether that Padanub will hoping to increase activity be able to help guide vein within MHOC as Speaker MHOC into a brighter, betof of the House and hopefully ter future. Padanub enjoying his first day as Speaker,
From Page 1
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News
The Sun and Agentnola win big at the MHOC Pulitzer Prize Awards. TETP
nalist and best article for his piece entitled "Coalitions - The Make or Break of MHOC". Another one of his articles was also nominated for the same award.
by NoPyroNoParty who was given the Life Time Achievement Award for creating the first ever MHOC Newspaper, MHOC: The Week. The first edition of MHOC: The Week was re-
leased in October 2014 and its front cover featured a story on 'The Gang of 9' breaking up a Liberal/ Labour coalition trigging a general election.
The Sun newspaper and journalist Agentnola, currently working at this paper, emerged as the big winners at the first ever MHOC Pulitzer Prize cere- Meanwhile The Endeavour mony on Wednesday Night. had a disappointing night. The centre right organisaThe big shock of the night tion emerged with only one was the currently defunct award, for 'Best Breaking Sun paper emerging with News Reporting'. The the biggest prize, best news MBBC faired better picking organisation. The Sun beat up two awards for national of the MBBC, Endeavour as and international reporting well as this paper to claim respectively. the prize. Meanwhile The last award of the night Agentnola won best jourJas1066 was in high spirits, despite the awards ceremony. was picked up
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News
America rejects the right in controversial midterm elections. to the Socialists 4 seats. Toby_Zeiger was the only candidate who ran for the SenAmerica held it’s mid-term ate seat in the Northeast elections recently and the State and therefore won the result was announced via a seat comfortably. reddit live feed during Fri- The Central State has traday evening by Head Mod- ditionally been a Libertarierator DidNotKnowThatan state but they only manLolz. The Socialists, Proaged to win 3 seats in the gressive Greens and DemoHouse which is the same crats made huge gains and number as the Socialist annihilated more famous Party managed and lost in right-wing members in the race for the Senate to their strongholds. Democrat BubbCiss. For-
east State to the Western State. The Democrats won the Senate seat and doubled the Distributist vote tally. The Socialists won 5 out of the 11 House of Representatives seats, with the others going to the Democrats, Distributists and a Republican. However, Distributist chairman MoralLesson still holds his Senate seat.
DYNAMIC_12
This is especially shocking considering that many predicted that the Socialist Party would experience loses in this election due to the recent split in the party. In the Southern State the Socialists almost grabbed a Senate Seat in a traditional Republican stronghold. As more and more seats went to the Socialists some suspected foul play and DidNotKnowThatLolz had to pause the announcement of results. Eventually the Socialists lost a few votes in the Southern State due to breaking the advertising rules. The Northeast State has always be a stronghold for the Democrats but this time the Socialist vote increased. The Democrats won only 5 seats compared
Although originally the seat was awarded to risen2011. The Republican stronghold now contained 5 GOP Representatives and 4 Democrat representatives.
The sixth ModelUSGov election used an automatic system to ensure a speedy result announcement. Whether it will work or not, we will have to wait another Another new state, the Mid- 3 months until the next western State, saw the election. The election is mer Trimvir lort685 was emergence of the Progres- still shrouded in controverelected to the House as rep- sive Green Party. The con- sy with partiallykritikal resentative for Upper Mid- troversially newly formed calling for UN Election west. party’s leader won the Sen- Monitors to ensure the result is the right one. Many One of the new states, the ate seat by beating the including Republican Eastern State, elected a va- Democrat’s nomination, anyhistoricalfigure, by 5 ncontas jumped to DidNotriety of politicians from votes to the six month Sen- KnowThatLolz’s defence by across the political specate seat. Despite this victo- saying that the community trum. Former Northeast ry, the Progressive Greens should wait until the modState Governor Sviridovt only won 2 Representative eration team have analysed won the first Senate seat seats compared to the Dis- and check the results thorand Ed_San won the secoughly. DidNotKnowThatond. The House seats were tributists and Democrats Lolz said he would clarify distributed between 4 dif- who both got 3 each. the results at the end of the ferent parties: Democrats Finally we return to the (3), Socialists (2), Libertari- Southern State, where the weekend, and The Indeans (2) and Republicans National Party once again pendent will continue to follow this story with inter(1). failed to gain any seats as est. they only accumulated 7 The Western State had been transformed over the votes. Sparking the debate about whether the National last few months to a Distributists’ paradise and at Party are a party once one point Democrat Chair more. PM_ME_YOUR_PANZER ben1204 had to enforce a travel ban from the North- narrowly beat risen2011 to the Senate seat by 2 votes. 6
Interviews
Interviews
Who is the Liberal Democrat Leader? An interview with JellyTom Earlier this week, I spoke to the Deputy Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat leader in his constituency home in the Midlands to get a flavour about his character, politics and plans going forward.
form of life expectancy over me and I prefer to live for the now rather than worry about what I’ll end up doing in the future.
J: Generally throughout my whole life I have had a large interest in politics, and have always been a Liberal Democrat. Obviously having Cystic Fibrosis has a large effect on me and my life, and I have done and plan to do lots of fundraising and campaigning on behalf of Cystic Fibrosis charities and sufferers for the rest of my life, however long that ends up being. I’d say on the political compass I am pretty dead center, I have had some come out very slightly left, and some very slightly right. One thing I have learned is just to take things as they come and not plan too far into the future generally, I’ve always lived my life with some
haha, but I would certainly say that it was a pretty fast rise to power - the last time my party had a leadership election I wasn’t even eligible to vote! Really, I have just applied the same strategy that I applied to life, unlike one of the candidates I certainly had not been planning a leadership challenge for months and months. Ben’s resignation came as a shock and it was much earlier than we expected, based on the mess that the party was on and some words Ben had said to me about my future in the party and what he saw me as capable of doing, I took the decision to run for leadership the day he resigned and never looked back as the support poured
I: It’s a remarkable rise to power, firstly, how did you do it? Secondly, how did I: So, JellyTom, if you could you pull off such a swift sum yourself up in a para- rise? graph, what would you say? J: I’m not too sure about Politics? Origins? describing it as remarkable
in. I was very blown away by the support, and to be honest right up until the results day I was always second favourite behind Seb, especially when he ran a much more aggressive advertising campaign and because of the weight his name carries compared to mine. I ran because I felt that it was in the best interests of the party and I’ve been really enjoying the challenge so far, though it has not been as easy as maybe I would like for my opening weeks...
ing benefits in the country.
It is a system that I have been through myself, before I entered politics I claimed Personal Independance Payment, for my CF. I had a reassessment and the assessor scored me a mighty 1 point, because I had some treatment every day. For context, to claim the ‘standard’ rate you needed 8 points, and the ‘higher’ rate 12. This meant that with one weeks warning we lost all benefits from our household, as some benefits were reliant I: Now, you’re Secretary of on my PIP. We lost someState for Work and Penthing like £400 from the sions, could you go over household, and with just why you are so passionate me and my Mum, and me about this area of policy? still in school - she had to pick up a lot more hours J: For me, my passion deand as a result my health veloped not only through my Cystic Fibrosis, because suffered because she was not around to offer me vital you could argue that Health would be the most support with my treatment. appropriate office for me, We took the decision to a but because of just how tribunal, and I opted to poor the department has represent myself legally rabeen - especially for disather than pay out for a lawbled people - over the last yer, or get a useless Citifew years, since the welfare zens Advice Lawyer that bill of 2012 that was wouldn’t really aid my case brought in, and had huge at all. I came out of this trieffects on everyone claim- bunal with 12 points, and I 7
Interviews From Page 7
didn’t tell anything other than the truths of what my daily CF routine is like, most of it hinged on the fact that my treatment takes so many hours per day, which had just happened to me ‘missed’ by the ATOS assessor. What was disgusting was that there was an 11 point discrepancy from a ‘trained’ assessor and the tribunal decision, but also the way that we were left in the lurch and with a huge budgeting hole delivered by just one letter. This led me to begin writing my welfare reform bill, just before I became a National MP last term. I: So, one of the most grand pieces of legislation this term. So, tell us about why it is so important, and why in particular it is so important to you. J: I think that I will never write a bill so vital to the people of this country (and so long!) again, and I am immensely proud of how it is doing and the way it has been received by the public and the house. The main changes were to introduce a gradual depreciation for people who lose the benefits, 25% over 4 months, allowing people to adjust and re-evaluate slowly rather than be left immense-
ly out of pocket. Some people are receiving £600+ every month and for that to disappear instantly, whether they are eligible or not, is awful. Furthermore, ATOS no longer deliver the assessments, and I would say that while I am in office, they will never hold a contract with us again. We worked with the Health Department, and all three of Cal, Jonster, and Sam have been excellent in facilitating the bill and its requirements, to mean that fully trained GP’s now deliver the assessments, and we hope that there will be very few tribunals that result in a decision being changed or overturned from now on. This means that the benefits will be handed out fairly, assessments conducted professionally and correctly. I would hope that the amount of people going through what I endured would now be virtually 0. People will still appeal of course, but they will probably not be eligible for the benefit, none of the criteria vastly changed, a couple of things were relaxed slightly - so no-one who is currently eligible will be losing their benefits either. I: So, the Liberal Democrats claimed to support devolution, why is it being voted down by your MPs? J: We do support devolu-
tion, but we support it I: Looking into the Liberal done correctly. From the Democrats, it all seems a outside it may appear that little unstable, with all of we are breaking our mani- the defections and so on. festo promises, but this is Why is this such an issue not the case. For the past for your party? few weeks we have been J: This has been the hardest spending a great deal of part of my leadership, and I time preparing our own have found it quite difficult legislation that will cover at times dealing with the all of Northern Ireland, way people seem to treat Wales and Scotland at my party as a halfway once. The Secretary of State house. I do appreciate that for Northern Ireland has it is easy to lean slightly left been involved in cross par- or slightly right into anothty talks all term, and while er party but really, if they this will be a bill of our own making, he is using those talks, and the Northern Ireland bill JellyTom has revitalised Liberal Democrats read a support and it seems the Liberal Democrats few days have a bright future ahead of them. past, in are Liberal, on the left or this bill - so none of that the right, this is the party will go to waste. We also that they will be best intend to use the Scotland placed to apply those valbill our government put ues and make a real differout for reading a few days ence to our country. I’ve past also. We are fully com- been very upfront with my mitted to delivering on our party about this issue, and I promise, but rather than feel that lately we have had pushing through, or back- a much greater level of staing poor legislation, we bility, and have seen some would rather see it done members defecting in raproperly - and we believe ther than out, which make that we are the party to do a nice change! so.
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Interviews I also think that the grass will always be greener somewhere else for some people, and while they are of course always free to defect as much as they please, every time someone moves parties they go to the bottom of the pile once again, and it should be about making a difference for what you believe in rather than conducting a grand tour of every party’s HQ every term.
get the support they need there. Those branches are really important to me, and I am extremely passionate that they get the support and attention that they deserve. I also want to further the work Ben did, showing that we are an valuable and vital choice, rather than just the other party on the ballot paper that you vote for if you can’t decide between Tory and Labour. I feel that we also have some I: What are your plans lead- work to do appealing to the ing your party into the next center right of the electorate, and we should seek election? to avoid just swinging comJ: I’d like to really work pletely left, not only behard with the federal cause of how crowded that branches in Scotland, side is, but also because we Wales and Northern Irewould be alienating a large land to make sure that they and valuable group of po-
tential voters. I: Finally Tom, what are your plans going forward for the Liberal Democrats? Also, how are you going to address the party’s greatest problems and what do you think these are? J: I think one of our greatest problems has been stability. I’d hope like I mentioned earlier that we are beyond that slightly. In terms of going forward, we have conference in a few weeks and I will be using that as the time to really set up the party for the next General Election and how we plan to move forward. I also feel I need to prove myself, not only to my own party and my supporters,
but to other parties too. I appreciate that I am a relatively unknown entity, and I feel that’s a blessing really. I would ask parties, and people to let me do things to make their mind up on me - rather than just decide based on how much “gravitas” I have. I think that my rise to power should show just how effective I can be, toppling Seb who was around a year my senior, does show that I do well - the party certainly would not have got me anywhere near this position if I was not capable, and certainly I would not have stood, and Ben would not have spoken to me about standing, if I was not sure that I could do this.
The Classical Liberals reigniting Liberalism An interview with Purpleslug Today we talk to the Justice Secretary and member of the Classical Liberals Purpleslug to give us an idea about this up and coming movement.
eschewed the name. I: What is the need for the Classical Liberals? Is this just another home for centrist Tories and Lib Dems?
Thedesertfox929. We have nine parliamentarians, with the Deputy Leader of UKIP, Vice Chairman of the US Libertarians and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats (the one and only!) among our ranks.
party grouping?
P: We can't just ditch our current parties, especially with our vested interests. Duncs and I are Deputy Leaders. We can and do P: Well, yes; we are a presI: Good day /u/purpleslug, sure group and active influence our parties. Losmany will remember the ing all we have for the great APPG, uniting the moderprevious Progressive Dem- ates of the major centre I: Could you speculate on risk of setting up a party is ocrats. I ask, why the name and right-of-centre parties. how successful you believe not worth it. Besides, the change? And are there any this movement will be? Classical Liberals, as an I: There doesn't appear to changes in political belief? APPG, will be able to exert be a lot of information on P: If we were a party, I think influence -- a party would P: Well, the main reason the size of this movement, that we could achieve 8 not necessarily have this for the name change was could you go over that, and seats. ability. that 'Progressive' indicates tell us who leads you? I: Can you guarantee that leftist economic views. To I: Purpleslug, thanks for this will remain a crossP: We are now led by shake off this stigma we your time. 9
Voices
Voices
Opinions from MHOC members. ● Opinions from both Journalists and members of the public. ● Featuring Okeleuk, RSP MP and Work & Pensions spokesperson for the RSP. ● Discuss anything from real-life to MHOC related. 10
Voices
How broad can a broad church be? the left-wing and rightOn the other hand, is a ic centre and a Blairite or wings of the party never be- broad church Labour Party Socialist group. gan to attack each other. something that can be Returning to MHOC, I Labour have shifted from On the surface at least the maintained? Labour split don’t see the Labour Party left to centre and back to de facto leaders of both in both 1929 and 1981 due ever splitting again in the left within 32 years. Labour ‘factions’ ElliottC99 and to a shift in Labour’s posi- foreseeable future. Labour went from producing ‘the RachelChamberlain had a tion both to the left each has a strong leader and longest suicide note in his- positive working relation- time. The gang of four estory’ to newLabour and ship. It was bethen in 2015 the party lieved they both elected Jeremy Corbyn, a admired each veteran, left-wing backother.We will bencher. have to wait to see what would It is well known that Labour is a broad church par- have happened to Labour if a ty. Being a broad church left-winger like has brought it’s benefits and costs to the success of ElliottC99 was elected and if the Labour Party. A broad church can be used to im- the Blairites prove policy as the party is would change able to scrutinise it’s own as well as the difference in a policy. Also, the Labour Labour-led gov- ElliottC99 was seen leader of the left faction and RachelChamberlain Party facilitate a range of ernment. voices from Blairites like the leader of the right faction in the latter quarter of 2015. Chuka Umuna and leftCan_triforce was admired sentially founded the left wingers like John McDon- by the whole of the party leaning faction in the Lib- Prime Minister who has nel; but there is no doubt and garnished respect eral Democrats. In my hon- repeatedly shown she is that the vide variety of from the whole of the capable of uniting the parest opinion, I believe Laviews within Labour can MHOC community. He crety. A strong NEC surrounds bour supporters must recause infighting. In realated an atmosphere of posmain patient with the lead- her as well as a supportive life there is a stand off be- itivity within the Labour party membership that will tween the left-wing leader- Party that propelled them ership and respect the continue to support the mandate that the leadership and more centrist to victory in the October government she leads. As ship team have. A split in MPs. 2015 election. The evithe Labour Party, makes it long as Labour continues But how can Labour main- dence points to the fact to elect strong leaders, it easier for the right to be tain it’s broad church tradi- that Labour needs a strong elected. In the long-term, will remain a broad leader in order to be suction? We can look to church? in real-life I can’t see the cessful as a broad church. MHOC for the answer. Socialists or Blairites reWith RachelChamberlain’s Can_triforce unified the maining in the party. I befantastic credentials there party after a terrible eleclieve one side will leave the tion result. He encouraged is no doubt that Labour is party and the party will be discussion whilst ensuring in safe hands. left with a Social DemocratDYNAMIC_12
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Voices
Secularisation - Lordly Duty or Subversion of Democracy. action to the wrecking amendments, and the discontent among the Tories “Upon passing through regarding the Budget has parliament this Bill will not revived talks about a new be enacted into law.”(A01Parliament Act, from both B149.2, House Of Lords) sides of the house. There This is the first of many so have been rumours of a bill called ‘wrecking amendthat would strengthen the ments’ that have been propower of the Lords in reposed to B149, The Seculargards to delaying legislaisation Bill. These Amendtion; likewise there have ments have causes quite a been rumours of legislastir in the Lords and this Recently the Amendments tion that would have the may or may not reverberate were retroactively rejected opposite effect, some even back to the Commons in by the Speakership for vio- so radical as to abolish the some sort of reaction. This lating the Parliament Acts. House of Lords. There is no is the first time that someI have been unable to bring doubt that recent events in thing this radical has been the Lords has truly shaken any for comment, but we done by the Lords, and the things up. must assume it is a direct many supporters of Deviolation with the Provimocracy are crying unfair sions of the Act(Quoted play and that this is wholly Above), therefore this is a unconstitutional and safe move on the Speakershould not be allowed, ships’ part; however, many while others retort that the It is important to rememamendments and the pow- ber that a wrecking amend- Lords still believe that their er play made by the Lords ment is not a legal veto, it is actions are perfectly valid an effective one. Technical- are in arms against the are perfectly well within ly it is allowed it is backed Speakership’s decision to their right as Lords. by precedent to allow reject the wrecking amendThe Parliament Acts make wrecking amendments to ments. It seems the Speakit very clear what the House be proposed to Common ership are sticking to precof Lords duty is review Leg- bills by Lords. Such prece- edent, and without any maislation and not “to veto dent is backed by an jor precedent for such a any public Bill introduced amendment proposed to major wrecking amendin the House of Comthe Gender Recognition ment, there is no legal reamons” (Provisions of the Act of 2004(Sidenote this sons to allow it. Parliament Act) , it is made particular example is used While the debate over the clear “[A Bill] rejected by by the DLS because of me) constitutionality continthe House of Lords in…[a] whereby a Lord tabled an session, that Bill shall, on amendment to essentially ues, the Powers of the Lords diminishes. The reKAISER WILHEIM I
its rejection [for the second time] by the House of Lords... be presented to His Majesty and become an Act of Parliament on the Royal Assent being signified thereto (Parliament Act, Section 2, Subsection 1). When interpreting the law one would immediately draw the conclusion that the wrecking amendment is a veto in disguise, and that the Lords are overstepping their bounds that are very clearly defined in the Parliament Act of 1911 and the subsequent amendment in 1949. However, the ancient precedent of amendment power of the Lords may be the answer as to why the amendment is proposed.
undo a particular section of the Legislation dealing with marriage. And while the amendment did not pass, it was allowed to be proposed. However, there has been no full wrecking amendments (Amendments that totally destroy the purpose of a bill) proposed by the Lords since the passage of the Parliament Acts.
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Voices
Emergence of a Model Economy TETP
Quietly, steadily but surely over the last few weeks the model world has been revolutionised. If MHOC continues, expands and succeeds in the future then I believe we will look back to the last few weeks as a key moment in that success. Much like the industrial revolution, this revolution is changing the way we relate to each other, possibly fundamentally. I'm referring to the creation of numerous model organisations, like model Ebay and the first model bank, that have begun to introduce a proto-economy into MHOC. At the moment this economy is simplistic, but it is an economy. Modelwagers, run by ModelBarclays is a sub in which members use money in their bank accounts to place bets. Barclays is already fairly complex. Members have an income based on what roles they have in MHOC. Barclays pays tax based on a model budget, be it an out of date tax rate. Members even transfer money between bank accounts. This may seem rather simplistic, not that ground breaking and definitely not
revolutionary. But you would be wrong. Let us take one moment to think about how we could develop the model economy and immediately the We have already seen the effect it has on ModeBarclays, with the bank having possibil- to enforce emergency measures to reduce the incredibly high inflation. ities become clear. ulate based on what is actu- could mean that shares A ModelStockmarket is in ally happening in MHOC. people owned worth ÂŁ500 the early stages of developAn announcement by, for where suddenly worth ÂŁ10 ment. Members will be example, The Independwith dividends each week able to use money in their ent, that it is no longer do- of 50p. Suddenly the model Barclays accounts to buy ing weekly issues of its economy could lose a huge and sell stocks in MHOC newspaper, could send its amount of money and peoorganisations. The imshare price crashing and ple who had taken out a portant part here is that people try to sell of their loan from Model Barclays members will be buying shares on the assumption to put on the stock market and selling stocks in real that the dividends they get could default. We might working and already existpaid will go down signifihave a genuine banking ing MHOC organisations cantly. If the whole press crisis that the Government and will then be paid divisub started to lose activity would have to respond to. dends on a weekly basis and people started to lose depending on what is hapinterest then the stock pening to those model ormarket could crash as peoganisations. ple lost confidence in the This should hopefully sim- dividends they would get ulate the ups and downs of paid by holding onto the a stock market quite well. shares of press organisaPeople will be able to spec- tions. A stock market crash See more Page 14 13
Voices From Page 13
A monetary system could in fact lead to members actually owning model organisations (for example The Endeavour), that organisations having a model money value. Eventually this could lead to a model Rupert Murdoch, a rich individual who buys up the model organisations and exerts influence over them.
changed. The Radical Socialist Party may try to nationalise it and other model banks while UKIP might want to offer it a 0% tax rate. Those actions could and will have an effect on the money in our model pockets.
individuals in exchange for advertising, or writing an article about them. Parties could establish bank accounts in a model bank and pay individual members for services or even try to buy favours from the press.
With a monetary system on going how long before members start to realise If the new monetary system that they can request modbecomes a fully fledged el money for their services. part of the game then the Model Barclay current dicpossibilities are endless. tates members salaries Model Barclays will be efbased on their positions fected by Government poli- but what if parties started cy when tax rates are to offer model money to
The bigger implications of these possibilities are a dynamic environment in which the Government has to deal with a changing and very real model economy. A detailed simulation of government, finance and media relations could be possible.
We are very far away from any of this of course. At the moment money is printed by Barclays and put straight into individuals account. Currently this money has no value outside of ModelWagers. There is no system of supply and demand. Money has no real value. But that could all change soon. The only risk is that expansion happens to quickly and everything becomes to complicated. But if we can avoid that then the possibilities are endless.
The benefits of an unwritten constitution. KAISER WIHEIM I
When one thinks of the British Constitution several documents come to mind. The Parliament Act of 1911, its subsequent amendment in 1949, The Great Reform Act, and several other bills that form the basis of the parliamentary procedure for our great nation. However, because we lack a single unified document labeled “Constitution” people refer to the British Constitution as ‘unwritten’. This term of ‘unwritten’ is a misnomer; the constitution is written just in multiple Laws over
several centuries. This is however the word we are stuck with, and it is sometimes called an anachronism, or archaic and that Britain should adopt some sort of written constitution or charter that is above all public law. People usually cite the ability to nullify laws and establish a clear precedent for procedure as the premier benefit for having a singular written document which establishes the bedrock of law. However, this undermines the benefits of an ‘unwritten constitution’. Currently, all british public law is considered equal with concern to the Constitution, in the
context of the US constitution, you can think of every single law ever passed by the British Parliament as an amendment to their constitution. Now not every single amendment is treated with the same weight, the first is much cited and respected much more than the twentieth; in practical terms all Amendments are equal before the law. What are the downsides to this with regards to the British? Well the only way to nullify a Law is with an additional Law, however this small fact is what makes having an unwritten constitution beutiful. It makes our british constitution a very dy-
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namic document, and one that can be changed very easily. In the United States their is a constitutional argument against having gun control, in the UK no such thing because gun control can be legislated. In the US they required a constitutional amendment to outlaw slavery(a long and arduous process) in the United Kingdom it only took a few bills to pass Parliament. In short, our unwritten constitution should not be scrapped for something else, it allows us a dynamic and up to date constitution which continues to evolve with every single bill passed.
Voices
The Triumvirate PETROSAC
The Coronation of Ben II
personally look forward to seeing him, and the rest of the triumvirate continue to run and improve the Model Houses of Parliament.
Long live Ben II. On the 20th of January 2016, former Deputy Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat Leader Bnzss was corGhoulishBulld0g will be seeking re-election as Lord Speaker. onated Ben II after After a hotly contested Timanfya’s resignation as election for the SpeakHead Mod. latter of which is standing ership, Padanub has come as the “Zero Votes candiout the victor with 52 date”. votes, beat second placed Djenial who Alphaepsilon has been managed 27 votes. quick to release his maniPadanub was one The nomination period is festo, pledging to rework short of the required open for the next Lord the fillerbustering rules as amount of votes after Speaker, with Ghoulish well as creating a tiered systhe first round, but Bulld0g expected to be re- tem of Lord ranks, as well managed to get over elected. However, challeng- as re-distributing Lords the line in the seces have been launched by seats away from inactive ond. Demon4372, alphaepsimembers. It will be inter-
Can’t Stub the Nub
Lord Speakership Election is underway
lon3 and Irelandball, the esting to see if the other An experienced candidates also member of the take on these MHoC, having pledges. Howserved as Deputy Bnzss will be attempting to continever, it seems Speaker as well as ue the work of Timanfya that the incumChairman of his bent will reformer party, Padanub’s main in his poBnzss brings with him a convincing win will reassition. wealth of experience, from sure members that there often having to moderate are better things to his two former Deputy come. He ran on a maniLeaders HaveADream and festo of stability, experiDemon4372, to serving as a ence and communicaDeputy Speaker for over 6 tion, and has brought in months. His appointment new ideas like MHoC is a popular one, with alWagers. What remains most 90% supporting him clear is, you can’t stub The founder of MHOC, Timanfya, is yet to in a Vote of Confidence. I make a decision on what to do after his break. the nub. 15
Voices
On motions of no confidence. MEPZIE
may argue that this would be a bad idea as it would make it harder to form a government, however, it could also be argued that it would be better for the coalition to have the support of more of the House. Introducing a Queen’s Speech would ensure that, and would promote coalitions with real majorities who can actually pass the legislation proposed in their manifestos. It would lay out the government’s plans for the year(or month) in MHoC and this will make it easier for Opposition parties to scrutinise the government and their promises, which would clearly be beneficial to the simulation as a whole.
Speculation over when a VoNC may occur and whether one would be successful has had every opposition party on their toes since the last General Election, and even before that. Due to the nature of the Model House of Commons, no party has ever had a majority of seats, and therefore there are always coalition governments, and in this case, a coalition government without a majority of the seats in the Commons. In Real life, this could never happen. If a minority government without at least a supply and confidence deal with another party tried to form the government, their Queen’s Speech would not pass or a Motion of No As for Motion’s of No ConConfidence will be proposed in order to oust the fidence, many would argue that the reason we haven’t governing party. had any enter the ComHowever, why is this not mons is due to Speakers the case in the Model not allowing them to take House of Commons? For place. Both /u/Timanfya one, we do not have a and /u/RoryTime were reQueen’s Speech. If we did luctant to ever allow a Mohave such a Speech it tion of No Confidence and would almost always fail to argued that any opposition pass through the House party that wanted to proand therefore governments pose one would need a reawould have to confide in son other than simply ‘I the support of parties with want my party to be in govdiffering ideologies. Some ernment’. Whilst this is fair
to the governing parties, it is not reflective of real life, where Motions of No Confidence are proposed whenever one can be won. / u/Athanaton seemed more likely to allow VoNC’s however. He said many a time that he would allow them to take place without much of a reason, and I imagine / u/Padanub will follow suit on this issue. ‘Why have we not had one since /u/Timanfya was
tion or block the left’s, the left wing parties have thrived this term. And a VoNC could change this. If the government became a Right Wing Coalition or an Establishment Coalition as a result of the VoNC, the RSP would clearly have much less influence over policy. They would likely become the Official Opposition but would be much less likely to be able to influence things like the
Would a Queen’s speech from the Government past? speaker then?’ You might ask, and many would argue one thing. There just simply isn’t the support for a Motion of No Confidence as there once was. The Radical Socialist Party have had a huge influence on government policy over this term, especially on things such as the clearly socialist influenced Budget, in order to help the government to pass its legislation. Whilst the Right has struggled to pass its own legisla-
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Budget, especially in an Establishment Coalition due that government having a majority. Therefore, there isn’t likely to be a VoNC on the horizon until the RSP is ignored by the Government, and the Opposition will likely have to wait until the next General Election to have a shot at government.
Voices
SPUSA: How a stagnating party won the elections of ModelUSGov. OKELEUK
A fascinating result came in yesterday as the Socialist Party of ModelUSGov managed to win at least 5 seats, against all expectations. They managed to be the largest party for a while in the elections even, until the Democrats captured some other seats. This came wholly unexpected. I was even considering writing “The short rise and death of American socialism” during the elections, thinking the socialists might only get one or two seats. Why did this all came to be? The best explanation will be to draw a comparison with MHOC, and the
explanation of my recently dubbed “RSP-Effect.” in a sentence, this would be it: “A stagnating socialist party which right before the elections loses its most Marxist-Leninist members, reforms itself and does better than expected at the elections.” and this sums up basically what happened both in ModelUSGov, and a couple of months earlier in MHOC.
strictly Marxist party. Quite a few prominent members joined this WUO, and it looked like the SPUSA was on point of collapse.
low the events, and it looked like the SPUSA was running dry. But everyone ended up being wrong as they conquered more seats in the House of RepresentIn a quick succession, the atives, an achievement, members of the SPUSA considering how much the seized their party and a SPUSA has been falling evpower struggle began, with er since they got the presijahalmighty proposing to dency. The WUO didn't establish a general secregain a seat, and only wants tariat led by him. As well as to participate in State Legdemanding more commu- islations. nity effort in the party and The way this effect came to the signing up of everyone Ultimately I hope the best to become members of for this rejuvenated SPUSA be was when the Marxistand that they can rejuveLeninists at the top of the congress. jahalmighty socialist party, who formed eventually got this General nate American socialism from the social democracy the party leadership in the secretariat even though some of the last prominent currently advocated by the central committee. They couldn’t keep the party ac- members of the party were Democrats into actual soagainst it. cialism, although that may tive anymore and thus debe impossible in the curcided to jump ship and form the WUO, weather un- While i didn’t directly have rent state of the model simderground organisation, a access to the Socialist Party ulations. But that is a dissubreddit, i was able to fol- cussion for another time.
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The Numbers
The Numbers £30666.67
The amount of money the richest person in MHOC, Padanub, earns a month.
The next six highest earners are: £23,833 £22,833 Ajubbajub, cptp28, £22,667 £21,333 chrispytoast123, ContrabannedtheMC, Mepzie, and purpleslug. The turnout for the Speaker vote
55% 34
compared to the average turnout in the House of Commons during the 7th Government.
The number of minutes the Model EU has been open but not functioning.
£22,667 £20,083
90%
The number of party leaders the existing parties have had since the creation of MHOC.
681,120
14,544 18
The number of hours that have past since the creation of MHOC by Timanfya.
References
References Bnzss is Henry George. Dynamic_12 is Jeremy Corbyn. Duncs11 is Douglas Carswell. Electric-blue is Shahrar Ali. ElliottC99 is Dennis Skinner. GhoulishBulld0g is Phillip Hammond.
GoonerSam is EnochPowell. Imperial_ is John Major Jas1066 is Owen Paterson. JellyTom is Tim Farron. Mepzie is Sajid Javid. Okeleuk is Emile Roemer. Padanub is John Bercow. PetrosAC is Da-
vid Laws Purpleslug is David Davis. RachelChamberlain is Tony Blair. Roadtotheshow is Steven Woolfe. TETP is Clement Attlee.
â—? Please contact dynamic_12 if you want to secure your political representative for a future edition of The Independent 19
“Politics and the fate of mankind, are shaped by men without ideals and without greatness. Men who have greatness within them don’t go in for politics.” - Albert Camus
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