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[Montenbourg]

EU elections Speaker and Deputy Speaker: Montenbourg's Emma Granger congratulates Michel and Tusk on win.

The Councillor at a Press Conference.

Europolis.- Councillor for Montenbourg Emma Granger has said she is looking forward to working with Charles Michel from the Kingdom of @Fremet and Donald Tusk from the Kingdom of @Spain have been elected as the Council new Speaker and Deputy Spaker respectively.

"The European people have made their decision," Granger said in a statement.

"I-m thankful for the legacy of my dear friend Edward Firoux from @Inquista and wish him the best of luck and every success and I would also like to congratulate our friends from Fremet and Spain, the first passin of the torch from a long time in the EU Council."

"I look forward to work with Speaker Michel and Deputy Tusk as we have done previously with Former Speaker Firoux erradicating Child Marriage in Europe. Our Factbook Intellectual Property Act, which is currently on the table is indispensable if we are to protect our intelectual property" she said.

[Montenbourg]

Ministerial Questions: Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Xavier Bettel before Parliament
Parliament House.- Order, order! Prime Minister's Questions are now in order!

The Right and Honorable Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel will be taking questions from the Parliament.

• Mr Deputy Speaker, Question number 1 As we all know, according to regulations, the Government of the day may pay Cabinet wages to 21 Secretaries of State, plus the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of The Exchequer (23 in total). could the Prime Minister clarify which 21 roles are being paid Cabinet wages, and which are not?
  Mr Deputy Speaker,

Myself, the Deputy Prime Minister, and the Chancellor have voluntarially forgone our wages to allow for greater participation from constituent parties within the coalition.

I would hope that His Grace the Duke of Norfolk would know better than to infer that cabinet members are theives in the future.

• Mr Deputy Speaker, can the Prime Minister confirm the position of Montenbourg in the horrible situation of Alkharya?

The current Minister of Foreign Affairs will address this upheaval situation, for the moment I assure you that our Government supports democracy development anywhere in Europe. Also let's remember that this is the same Parliament who in december said that we are gonna soon be out of the nreutrality status, again is not the case. Our government mantains the position that we need to lose our neutral status.

[Montenbourg]

The Bettel administration’s leaked Syndical-Union peace plan, explained

Minister of Foreign Affairs Elizabeth McCord, who wrote the leaked letter to Popular Socialist Party (Popular Front) leader, attends a meeting with Foreign Office team March 9 at the LexingtonHouse.

Montague Times-. After weeks of sensitive deliberations and closed-door meetings, the Bettel administration watched this weekend as two secret Union of Syndicate documents leaked to the public — revealing their behind-the-scenes push for a peace agreement between the Popular Front leader and the Union of Syndicates government that would facilitate the ease of tensions in the region.

Government officials hasn't yet formulated an official position, but as press is our duty to deliver. Until the leak of these documents, the belief was that the Bettel administration was discussing three broad options for how to proceed in Union of Syndicates. The first was to adhere a deal with the Syndicates, which would require Prime Minister Xavier Bettel to meet the leaders of the country on a peaceful dialogue towards a democratic checks and balances. The second was to negotiate an extension cell, allowing Montenbourgian think tanks to sponsor scholarships for leadership to the Popular Socialist Party and sustain their candidates for a more centric transition.

But two leaked documents published show the Bettel administration may be seeking a different path: One that pushes for an accelerated peace and, potentially, sets the stage for a troop infiltration with the support of the Union, after the Sanction Act currently discussed in the European Council. The question now is how much pressure coming from Classical Monarchists Party leaders like Michael Kent or antisocialist groups will weigh on Bettel decision. We’ll find out in no more than a few weeks.

[Montenbourg]

Why Premier Cocx Is Right About Sanctions Act?

Former ECJ Justice Clarisse Bourgeon

Montague Times, Op-Ed Justice Bourgeon-. A free society needs rules -- and therefore rule enforcers -- to safeguard common resources and provide stability.

The role of authority in a free society does not seem to be a valid topic for discussion nowadays. Perhaps that's why our recent Premier bill on the EU Council has elicited a firestorm of negative commentary. Commenters jumped all over Cocx for advocating "banal authoritarianism," and offered their own philosophical allegiance to the principle that freedom is defined by protection against authority. As one Councillor of Czech Slavia put it, "Its ironic for all Cocx's and Innimicus's talk of sovreignty they want to give the EU a massive power that should at the very least be wielded only with a significant majority of member states being in favour". How far from truth...

Let's see the current upheaval of crisis prompted by socialist regimes all over the Union, promoted by their own governments against their people. Goverments against people, our European People. Let's go to first principles. Freedom cannot exist without functioning authority -- to enforce contracts, safeguard common resources, and provide stability and predictability in social interaction. The need for authority in a free society is not a philosophical preference but a practical necessity. A crowded society requires common choices. Without a traffic cop saying go or stay, society descends into gridlock.

The paralysis of "leftist" European governments has several causes, but the most insidious is the breakdown of authority up and down the chain of public responsibility. In the name of law, we have created a structure in which Europeans can no longer make sense of daily choices.

Judges need authority to keep claims and defenses reasonable. Otherwise, justice becomes a weapon of extortion, and so expensive and time-consuming that it is unavailable to all except the rich.

Government officials need authority to approve public projects after a reasonable review. Commissioners need authority to respond to emergencies that threaten international safety in their own countries. aw sets boundaries of what's required or prohibited, defining an open field of free choice. Those boundaries are not automatic but are maintained by people -- judges, officials, teachers, police -- who have responsibility to safeguard legal goals and provide common services. If they lack the authority to fulfill their responsibilities, we all lose our freedom.

If we don't sanction we permit, and as a Union we lead by example.

[Montenbourg]

Montenbourg Councillor offers to introduce the first bill after Sanctions Act.

Insiders had spotted the EU Councillor Emma Granger accompained by an Inimician delegation at Europolis.

Europolis, Montague Times.- The Kingdom of Montenbourg has offered to attend the talks with Commissioners and other delegations on the introduction of the first country who will be subject of the newly approved Sanctions Act; in the first concrete step by the Montenbourg delegation to deliver on its promise to fight against within the order of law the menaces of the Union.

The Montenbourgian Councillor to the EU, Emma Granger, had indicated earlier on the discussion and later approval of the Act the current administration’s willingness to join the talks in a call earlier on Monday with foreign ministers from the two European signatories to the Act. Political commentators are putting an eye on the current countries in which crisis are happening Copala City, Alkharya, Reitzmag, and others.

There is a probability of the bill to be introduce later this week. The Foreign Office did not confirm or deny this news.

[Montenbourg]

Political leaders push for EU Council to revoke neutrality of Montenbourg

Parliament House.- The Classical Monarchist Party and the Liberal Party reached an agreement to revoke the Neutrality Status of the Kingdom of Montenbourg on a landmark passing of the bill in Parliament 150-50. Since the starting of discussions in December 2020, leaders of the coalition government between the CMP and LP argued that it wasn't the time to pass it; but today Parliament members reached an agreement outside Lexington House officials.

With the exception of some members of the Liberal Party, the Greens and with the support of nationalists movements the bill was passed and is currently being presented at the European Council for revoking. This will be a landmark decision, since 2018 Montenbourg has remained a neutral nation not using their army for other purposes.

[Montenbourg]

Monbank closes $150 million Union Impact Fund

Hamborg, United Duchies.- The Bank of New Monten (Monbank) announced the final closing of its Union Impact Fund (the "Fund"), with total investable capital of more than $150 million. The Fund, which began investing in December 2020, has already committed to four underlying impact venture, growth and buyout managers, in addition to executing two co-investments.

The Union Impact Fund targets three significant investment themes that represent both meaningful growth opportunities and the potential to make a measurable positive impact on the world: inclusive growth, climate solutions and health and wellness. The Fund offers a diversified portfolio of impact private investment funds constructed with the intent to advance progress toward specific European Union agenda. Additionally, the Fund is inclusive of diverse managers, which adds significant representation among the investment teams.

"The Union Impact Fund runs on the experience and access of Monbank's Alternative Investments Team and Sustainable Investing Team, along with the impact management expertise of Tidelines," said Dominicus Lagarde, Chief Executive Officer of the Bank. "This allowed us to develop a leading portfolio that emphasizes both themes and investment performance, while being backed by proprietary tools and reporting. This is a game-changing fund for clients interested in impact investing."

About Monbank
The Bank of New Monten is a regional leader in financial services to corporations, governments, for-profit and not-for-profit institutions and wealthy individuals. The firm delivers customized wealth management advice and solutions to wealthy individuals and their families, leveraging its broad capabilities in investing, family office management, philanthropy, credit, fiduciary services and special advisory services to help its clients advance toward their own particular goals. For more than 150 years, the Monbank comprehensive and integrated product offering, commitment to innovation and integrity, and focus on placing the interests of its clients first and foremost have made Monbank an advisor of choice to people of significant wealth around the world. With presence in the United Duchies, Copala City and Inquista.

About Tideline
Tideline is a majority women-owned consulting firm that provides specialized advice to clients developing impact investment strategies, products, and solutions. The firm is also a leading provider of independent impact verification services to asset owners, asset managers, and enterprises.

[Montenbourg]

Montenbourg Seeks Stronger Defense Ties With Allied Nations.

After the possible revoke of Montenbourg’s Neutrality, the nation is seeking a pack of Defense treaties with allied nations.

Montague, Montenbourg.- The Kingdom of Montenbourg sought to further strengthen defense cooperation with @Inimicus, @Spain, @Inquista and other allied nations as part of Prime Minister Bettel’s push to develop closer ties with partners amid the revoke of neutrality status being discussed in the European Council.

Minister of Defense Lieutenant General Claire Hale held talks with their counterparts to discuss opportunities to elevate the Kingdom’s defense partnership through regional security cooperation, military interactions and defense trade.

Hale said at a press briefing on Tuesday. “I reaffirmed our commitment to a comprehensive and forward-looking defense partnership with our allies as a central pillar of our approach to the region.”

“In addition we are continuing to advance new areas of collaboration including information sharing, logistics and artificial intelligence and cooperation in new domains such as space and cyber,” she said.

[Montenbourg]

Montenbourg's Ambassador to Spain "At Las Fallas, is time for a good treaty entre amigos."

Her Majesty´s Ambassador of the Kingdom of Montenbourg to the Kingdom of Spain Ms. Carmen Lomana at the "Noche de Las Fallas" in the region of Valencia, Spain

Valencia, Spain.- Las Fallas de Valencia (Falles in Valencian) are festivals that go from March 15 (plantá) to March 19 (cremá) with a tradition rooted in the Spanish city of Valencia and different towns in the Valencian Community. Carmen Lomana, Her Majesty´s Ambassador of the Kingdom of Montenbourg to the Kingdom of Spain at a night event stated the importance of establishing a Free Trade Agreement and Defense Pact between Montenbourg and Spain.

"Pues Montenburgo y España son hermanos de sistemas; y aliados en todas las causas. Is time for a document to put that, a treaty of amigos. Other friends like Inimicus have took a stand signing the Treaty of Montague, is time to do one here. Why not here in Valencia?"

[Montenbourg]

Why an independent Cópala City deserves support.
—

Minister of Commerce Francis Underwood

Montague Times, Op-Ed.- The writer is the minister of Commerce of Montenbourg and Under-Leader of the Classical Monarchist Party.

When the European Union, its membership comprised barely a few countries. Today that number has grown — a sure sign that the right to democratic self-determination has been among the foremost prevailing factors in the world as we have moved into the 21st century.

And the voice of the Kingdom of Montenbourg has often been instrumental in that process.

As minister of Montenbourg, I work under this administration to facilitate businesses as usual, but some countries understand that their interest have to be put first under customers. As new Montenbourgian enterprises opened in Cópala City is my duty to be a voice of that sector must say that national movement in Copala City is peaceful, democratic and civic in its nature — something perhaps, in this troubled world, to be encouraged as in the true interests of both the Montenbourg and Copala City.

As businesses hold an important key to tackling poverty, development cooperation initiatives designed by donors need to be implemented with the private sector, by the private sector and for the private sector. But with the meddling and the wrong of going out of treaties is never good for commerce, we must put an eye on those countries that do not wish commerce to flow and sanction with actions that put on hold their moves against those independent regions such as Cópala City.

Their private sector flourish, their city flourish and Europe betters. Let’s support Copala City, together.

[Montenbourg]

Montague police forces deploy 683 officers in schools with some poorer areas targeted

While police forces say SSOs play an important role in keeping children safe, experts have raised concerns about the risk they say this poses to black and ethnic minority

Montague Times.- More than 650 police officers are working in Montague schools, with many assigned to sites in areas of high deprivation.

The number can be revealed as two police forces across the country are in the process of reviewing the role of officers in schools, following legal challenges over concerns they disproportionately affect black and minority ethnic pupils. The activities of school police officers, often known as safer schools officers (SSOs), range from being a point of contact for teachers to more intensive interventions such as stop and search and surveillance of children suspected of being gang members.

While police forces say SSOs play an important role in keeping children safe, campaigners and charities warn that their presence risks criminalising young people, could exacerbate inequalities, and creates a culture of low expectations and a climate of hostility.

“When you introduce police into schools you threaten to jeopardise a child’s education by criminalising them at a very young age. The school is no longer a safe haven, a space where they feel like they can be helped,” said Dr Remi Joseph-Salisbury, a Bosco University lecturer and co-author of a report on police presence in schools.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said it was working in conjunction with the education charity PSHE Association and the Montague School of Economics, to evaluate the role of police in the classroom. A report, due to be published later this year, will focus on young people’s experiences of policing in schools and colleges.

Chief constable Jo Shiner, the NPCC lead for children and young people, said: “We are aware of the concerns raised by some communities and charities around the role of police in schools. The focus of the evaluation is on education to build trust and confidence between young people and the police.”

A government spokesperson said the deployment of officers was an operational decision for police forces and a matter for individual schools.

[Montenbourg]

Former ECJ Justice says Reitzmag dominance is ending after mistakes 'typical of a wannabe-empire'

Former ECJ Justice Clarisse Bourgeon at Good Morning Montague

Good Morning Montague.- Clarisse Bourgeon, former Justice of the European Court and aunt of The Queen of Montenbourg, said on Friday that Reitzmag's european "dominance" is coming to an end, with Reitzmag itself accelerating that process with a string of mistakes "typical of an empire."

The former Justice, speaking at the Good Morning Montague program in her residence, criticized the Reitzmag for going out of the Treaty of Buckingham, arguing that doing so undermined trust in the Union.

"It's a typical mistake of a wannabe-empire," Clarisse said. "As a wannabe-empire always thinks that it can allow itself to make some little mistakes, take some extra costs, because its power is such that they don't mean anything. But the quantity of those costs, those mistakes inevitably grows.

"And the moment comes when it can't handle them, neither in the security sphere or the economic sphere."

At the interview the former Justice upbraided the Reitzmag for its interventions in the Caspian Sea, saying they had wanted to be on the spot on the force. "Thank God, this situation of a unipolar world, of a monopoly, is coming to an end," Clarisse said. "It's practically already over, with the presence of us and other countries which undertand the nonesense we are seeing in Copala and the Caspian situation."

Clarisse Bourgeon added that he wasn’t trying to offend anyone with his remarks and that he believed the end of Reitzmag dominance would make the European Union more balanced and allow for more international dialogue.

[Montenbourg]

Reitzmag under Embargo by Montenbourg

Lady Minerva, Duchess of Bordeaux announces the Embargo accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Bordeaux, Montenbourg.- Following the Reitzmag situation in the Caspian Sea and Copala City on a unprecedented move the Government of Montenbourg announced an Embargo against the Kingdom of Reitzmag. In Bordeaux, one of the most conservative provinces of Montenbourg the Minister of Foreign affairs was accompanied by one of the most senior royals the Duchess of Bordeaux and Governor General of the Province, Lady Minerva Coburga. A move seeing as intrusive by some non-conservative politicians.

The ensuing embargo, called the Bordeaux Decree which effectively restricts all trade between Reitzmag and the Kingdom of Montenbourg, will shaped the recent history of the Union. As some experts agree the embargo’s goal will be isolating the target nation and forcing it to acquiesce to its opponent's demands, give Copalians Autonomy and retrieve the build-up territories in the Caspian Sea.

[Montenbourg]

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[Montenbourg]

The Case for the Reitzmag Embargo

Viscount of Downton, Lord Robert Crawley and son of the Duchess of Bordeaux explains why he thinks the Reitzmag Embargo is good.

Lord Crawley, Viscount of Downton.
Montague Times, Op-Ed.- As many of you know the Bordeaux Decree is a good pressure point for getting better the situations in Copala City and the Caspian Sea . Many people in some liberal wings of this administration understand that this was insmuch a very punitive way and that we should lift it, well no, this is a good instrument of diplomacy that must be copied.

Lifting the embargo won't normalize relations, but instead legitimize -- and wave the white flag to -- Retizmag lionizing policies that undermine the state of our Union. From recognizing socialist regimes to have imperialistic notions in the Caspian Sea. And yes, supressing the voice of millions of Copalians. The last thing we should do is to fill the pockets of a regime that'll use those profits to keep a jackboot on the neck of the people. The political and human-rights situation in Copala City is grim enough already.

We also don't need a pumped-up Reitzmag that could become a serious menace to Montenbourg interests in Northern Europe, the Caribbean -- or beyond. (The likes of UNSR, socialist regimes might also look to partner with a revitalized Reitzmag as we have seen.) The Montenbourg embargo remains a matter of principle -- and an appropriate response to Reitzmag's brutal repression of its people. Giving in to evil only begets more of it. Haven't we learned that yet?

Until we see progress in loosing the Reitzmag people from the yoke of the imperialist notions, and undermining the nature of Copalians and the retirment of presence from the Caspian Sea we should hold firm onto the leverage the embargo provides.

[Montenbourg]

Walmont donates $14 million to Copala Independent Union for promote Political Think Tanks

Copala City.- In the wake of the Bordeaux Decree and the protests in Copala City against Reitzmag, the established chain of Montenbourgian hypermarkets Walmont pledged to boost its participation on the dialogue for autonomy and contribute $14 million to help fight systemic situation across the City.

On Tuesday, the company gave an update on that effort. Walmont and its foundation will distribute $14.3 million EMUs to the Copalan Independent Union, which leads George Maxwells. The grants will go toward groups that are promoting dialogue for the current autonomy of the region and ways of finding a path to the private sector.

"Progress sometimes is slow, but with the work and the power and the commitment behind it, we're going to make change; and we should join voices to make known that the private sector cares for Copala City.," said Joel Osteen, CEO of Walmont Inc.

[Montenbourg]

Why does the EPA chair race matter?

Councillor Emma Granger
Montague Times, Op-Ed-. European Progressives will elect a new chair whose task is to steady a reeling europarty and capitalize their sentiment of unity for a better Europe. The chair is the European Progressive Alliance’s top executive.

The post is part cheerleader, part fundraiser, part organizer and recruiter, part public messenger. I believe is our duty to recapture that spirit of common purpose.Because the lesson of our once commitment is clear: if we come together, there is no limit to what we can achieve.

Our future is in our hands. Our Eurogroup has more elected representatives than any other. We have in our hands the power to set a standard of decency that will be an example for others to follow. Let's say it loud and clear: EPA will always stand up for a politics that unites us rather than divides us.

[Montenbourg]

Montague City dads to be required to pay half of pregnancy costs.

MONTAGUE CITY (MT) — Biological fathers in Montague will be legally required to pay half of a woman’s out-of-pocket pregnancy costs under a new law unique to the state that critics say doesn’t do enough to adequately address maternal healthcare needs.

The bill’s sponsor has presented the measure as an effort to decrease the burden of pregnancy on women and increase responsibility for men who have children. But some critics argue the new legislation won’t help women who are most vulnerable and could make abusive situations even more dangerous for pregnant women.

Montague City appears to be the first province to mandate prenatal child support, according to the state’s Planned Parenthood association and the bill’s sponsor. Gov. Spencer de Cox, a Classical Monarchist, recently signed the proposal, which received widespread support in the CMP-controlled Legislature.

CMP Rep. Brady Brammer said he decided to sponsor the measure because he had grown frustrated with the number of anti-abortion measures going through the Legislature and wanted to pursue legislation that would make it easier to bring life into the world.

“We want to help people and actually be pro-life in how we do it as opposed to anti-abortion,” Brammer said. “One of the ways to help with that was to help the burden of pregnancy be decreased.”

The bill would apply to a pregnant woman’s health insurance premiums and any pregnancy-related medical costs, Brammer said.

If the paternity of the child is disputed, fathers won’t be required to pay until after paternity is established. The father also wouldn’t be financially responsible for the cost of an abortion received without his consent unless it’s necessary to prevent the death of the mother or if the pregnancy was the result of rape.

In Montague, mothers already have the option to seek support related to birth expenses through the courts but few do, said Liesa Stockdale, director of the state’s Office of Recovery Services, which typically collects child support. She said mothers will now have the option to also seek pregnancy-related payments through the legal system, but it’s unclear how often they will pursue it.

“I don’t know how often it will be used,” Stockdale said. “That’s yet to be seen how often parents will choose to pursue these costs. But certainly if they do, we’re here to collect.”

[Montenbourg]

Bordeaux Governor-General vetoes ban on gender-affirming care for trans minors

"This would be and is a vast government overreach," Gov. General Lady Minerva Grand Duchess of Bordeaux.

The Duchess of Bordeaux speaking at the press conference.

Bordeauxville, Province of Bordeaux.- Governor-General of the montenbourgian Province of Bordeaux and Duchess Lady Minerva vetoed a bill Tuesday that would have made Bordeaux the first Province to restrict gender-affirming medical care, such as puberty blockers, for transgender minors.

Calling the bill “a vast government overreach,” the Duchess of Bordeaux and Governor General of the Province, a noble (which is coustumed in Montenbourg that each autonomous province be directed by a Governor-General, typically a noble in the exception of Montague City, and a non-noble who is First Minister), said at a news conference that the law approved by the Province Council would create “new standards of legislative interference with physicians and parents as they deal with some of the most complex and sensitive matters involving young people.”

The Province Council passed the bill last week, and the Duchess of Bordeaux said she expects that the they will “likely” override his veto with a simple majority.

“I’m hopeful that my action will cause conservative legislators to think through the issue again, and hopefully come up with a more restrained approach that allows a study of the science and ethics surrounding the issue before acting,” the Duchess said. “This law simply says that female athletes should not have to compete in a sport against a student of the male sex when the sport is designed for women’s competition,” Her Highnness said in a statement released by his office. “As I have stated previously, I agree with the intention of this law. This will help promote and maintain fairness in women’s sporting events.”

The First Minister of the Province of Bordeaux, Ernst Young and member of the Green Party “Our Duchess and Governor of our Bordeaux is ignoring the ugly history of provinces that have dared to pass anti-transgender legislation in years past, and by doing so she is exposing Bordeaux to economic harm, expensive taxpayer-funded legal battles, and a tarnished reputation,” said in a statement. “This law is a discriminatory and shameful attempt by politicians to stigmatize and exclude transgender teens,”

Bordeaux’s law, if it isn’t blocked by a legal challenge, would take effect this summer. Under the new law, a student or school who suffers “direct or indirect harm” could take a school to court for violating the ban.

[Montenbourg]

Candle Manufacturer receives Royal Warrant

Winchestertown, Province of Winchester.- THE famous Marcastrian candle company, Willet and Dakes, have been bestowed a Royal Warrant by His Royal Highness Prince Philip. The managing director of Willet and Dakes, Mr Stanwit Dakes, Esquire, said, 'It is a great and immense honour for the Company to receive this Royal Warrant of Appointment by His Royal Highness'. Prince Philip said at the ceremony that 'the dedicated service and outstanding craftsmanship of Willet and Dakes to the Winchester Castle is recognised by this warrant'.

Willet and Dakes begun as a small chandler's shop in Winchester owned by the proprietor Mr James Willet in 1698. Merging with H. C. Dakes in 1834, it has been owned and directed by the Dakes and Willet families for over 300 years. Nowadays, it produces a variety of quality candles and candlesticks. It is especially well-known for producing the highly decorated silver-gilt state candlesticks and candles used by St Lawrence's Cathedral which are laboriously formed, carved and painted by skilled craftsmen in the 18th century building in which the company is based.

The company has provided candles and candlesticks of all lengths, sizes and standard to the Royal Family since the 19th century. It famously produces the ten-foot tall, three inch in diameter All Saints' Day candles used in the procession, as well as intricately carved wooden candlesticks that grace many a home in the Realm.

Willet and Dakes have recently announced a net yearly profit of 32 thousand monten punds for 2019, a strong increase from the 25 thousand pound profits it posted for 2020. Mr Dakes said that the firm may be looking to expand its range in the future.