Dr. Cynic
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Posts: 12,435
Political Matrix
E: -4.11, S: -6.09
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« on: May 19, 2015, 04:12:39 PM » |
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The People's Party formed a surprisingly strong majority government in 1869 and immediately began implementing their expansive agenda. The first progressive income tax was passed and universal suffrage was granted. The Opposition Radical Liberals tended to support the government on these issues, but came to strongly oppose Prime Minister Lyman Trumbull on issues such as the tariff, which the People's MP's strongly favoring a protectionist line.
Trumbull, who assumed the duties of Party Leader in full after his stint as Interim Leader was not particularly well known to the public, but he soon became a major hate figure for the right wing with his encompassing civil rights policy and his compassion to fledgling labor unions. Queen Victoria herself viewed Trumbull with suspicion believing that his left wing views included secession of the American Dominion from the British Empire. For his part, Trumbull plowed ahead with major reforms. He supported a progressive public health and sanitation policy and higher standards for food sellers.
Trumbull's Ministry also saw the House of Commons expanded to 326 seats, up more than 100 members for the 1873 election when population growth forced boundary changes and new constituencies after the Global War. Opposition Leader Stephen Douglas died after a long illness during the parliament and was replaced by hard right Conservative faction leader John Breckenridge. Breckenridge strongly fought Trumbull's reforms, especially on civil rights and universal suffrage, however, he is not even liked by many old Conservatives who feel that such a virulent anti-suffrage leader is damaging to their vote strength. Abraham Lincoln, the former Prime Minister and friend of Trumbull, remains on as leader of the Radical Liberals, though their strength is greatly reduced. Trumbull's significant labor relations reforms, which would grant the right of collective bargaining met with opposition from all sides, especially the anti-People's newspapers. It was now that Trumbull felt the need to call an election to reaffirm his mandate and continue his reformist government.
People's:
Led by current PM Lyman Trumbull, they are campaigning on their record of crusading reform government that saw full voter enfranchisement, health and welfare standards raised, and the implementation of a fair and progressive income tax. The primary issue of this campaign is a bill that would legalize collective bargaining power for labor unions (which, till now had been embryonic, nascent organizations). The party is opposed by most special interests and news outlets who feel that Trumbull's Ministry has endangered the public welfare and the free market system. The writings of Marx and Engels, now rising in readership, are cited as future Trumbull policy, something he denies.
Conservatives:
Now led by John Breckenridge, though not all his party are happy with his leadership, Breckenridge is campaigning against collective bargaining, calling it nothing less than a sell out to Marxist radicalism. Breckenridge also opposed universal suffrage, which would give blacks the vote and damage his party further with the boundary revisions. Breckenridge is campaigning on a flat income tax, a lower tariff and opposition to the heavy regulations Trumbull is imposing.
Radical Liberal
Much reduced in strength in 1869, but still led by Abraham Lincoln, the Radical Liberals are regarded as the cooperative opposition, often supporting Trumbull Ministry bills. However, there are heavy splits when it comes to tariff, which the Radical Liberals believe to be damaging, and many (though not all) oppose the current collective bargaining agreement because they believe it could do damage to smaller businesses and farmers who could be put out of business without any controls on the policy.
Well, have at it. Does Lyman get another go, or maybe we'll shift to the right.
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