Posts made by BrumBrum

Key responded positively to Eurorail expansion "Indeed we support the expansion of Eurorail so would definitely like to be in those talks. The more cars we can get off the roads and planes out of the skies the better for everyone.There would have to be checks entering JEFTA of course or pasport checks would have to remain in the stations. I hope you understand we have our commitments to any service that operates outside of the JEFTA zone to check those entries to see if they have appropiate visas or identification."

"That is the plans we have presented recently though UEFA have objected to the DFA's and other agencies joint hotline run by the Commission against intolerance and hate in Sports for reporting incidents in return for a proportion of the fine given out to the fans who ae involved in such incidents and sharing of information with government authorities that issue the passports, they've also objected to the lifetime bans. Something which we believe is a reasonable precaution. We'd like support within UEFA on taking a strong stance against hooliganism and hate in sports. I believe the DFA's plan was not to send secret service agents in but private investigators like they do in the Duchies home and domestic league games."

John Peter Key replied "Absolutely , we believe in common European security and student exchange programmes. We would on the topic of crime threats like to talk about how to help combat football hooliganism. You might note the many attempts of our countries independent sport regulators to combat bad fan behaviour and get intelligence on Duchian fans responsible and to warn nations about those who have had bad behaviour to fight this. Howeve at every turn UEFA have basically undermined this effort. We are wondering if there is any way you can join our fight for enforcing good behaviour of fans wherever the matches are."

Arron Scott responded "We agree to reducing barriers but we would have to have checks on goods still to check they meet JEFTA standards unless we are both members of JEFTA. We'd agree to 90 day visas and easier application processes.We would also happily allow companies access on an equal basis to local companies this would mean requiring a Duchian subsidiary following Duchian laws should they want physical premises in Duchies as is our laws. I'm sure you'll understand we have to keep it equal to what our businesses are required to do and other foreign companies in the United Duchies.Then we could perhaps move towards further unifying processes and looking at options like JEFTA later at a time of your choosing."

Jonh Peter Key listened "We understand it will take time to change things given the competencies of governments and seperation of powers .As long as a review is held we are happy. In that regard for now , we'd like to see the relationship grow in trust. We also understand on the military ship front , we'd bring that up if Mishar ever asked us for assistance that way."

He listened to concerns about the cctv system "I understand concerns over privacy and can explain the way it works. To gain entry at the border or airport we take a fingerprint , facial scan and retina scan. These are things we hold on record for all Duchians and visitors. In terms of handling that data its kept on a centralised system Duchies Guard has access to , now tourists at the border have two choices they can choose to have it deleted after their trip to the Duchies which it will automatically do or give permission to have it held on record for 5 years if they plan to visit reguarly to simplify future visits , it really is up to them. While we do value the security we do balance the privacy aspect and only the government networks have access to the databases. I hope this eases concerns."

"Now onto free trade an free movement we can offer 0% tariffs today if you are willing to offer the same that is in our power as of today so that should be simple. For free movement and joint customs we'd like you to consider putting a application into the Joint European Free Travel Area(JEFTA) organisation.What this would mean in essence you'd have a huge area with no checks outside airports and ports , and you'd adopt the JEFTA visa system and computer system at borders. You'd need to toughen the external borders if you haven't done so already . Here is the specifics. The benefit to the Spanish is that it obviously makes travel easier for all while maintaining national security.It would require a vote of members in the bloc with a majority vote to win and we'd support your bid in this if you chose to apply. We'd like to know what you'd think? Otherwise we could make easier visa arrangements instead putting Spain on favoured nation list if you also do so."

Both of the med thanked Alberto for the summit and done the pleasantries. Key responded "I hope it is a new start for both our nations and peoples too.We know the past has been difficult but we need a new era in our relations. I think you may expect what some of our concerns are. We believe the biggest obstacles to trade and prosperity or one of them is the Gibraltar tax issue, now we understand your desire to keep the waters clean and the environment in good state , we have restrictions on what goes through our canal and waters for the same reason especially in terms of emissions and dangerous cargos to the environment but a 1% or more tax on the value of goods is dangerous to the economy of Europe.

I'm sure you'll appreciate the same semi-conductor or compenents and their raw materials may pass through the Gibraltar straight multiple times as part of sub-components adding a cost of a 1% tax each time raises prices by alot of money depending on how many times that is. We don't have an issue with a fee for ships split between Hellas and your nation that is proportionate and based on emissions of the ship preferably or a minor tonnage tax on ships though emissions is most ideal .We'd like to see a change to the system reflect the actual pollution and emissions of the ships , we'd accept a heavy oil ban on any ships as we have imposed in our waters. We'd like to know what you think about these ideas for taxation and regulation instead as it seems to match your stated goals more than a tax on value of the goods on the ship disproportionately affecting the price of electronics and high value goods with lots of components.

The second concern is we have an ally in the region in Mishar. Now we have not thus far had the need to send our military ships through to support them but if they were to ask we'd need as ECON to support them as per our commitments to Mishar. We'd of course let you know the status and whats going on in such a circumstance as much as possible but in our eyes thats just supporting our ECON allies in that area just as you'd support your Telum allies in a crisis. We want to be able to support our allies when needed , say in the case of sending aid in or in the case of helping them against a national security threat just like you do with potentially passing into the Red Sea or the Gulf of Suez. We wish no ill or threat towards Telum and see no threat in Telum either. We just want to support those who are allied to us in the Mediteranean when needed. After that we can easily move onto trade and customs cooperation as we'd love to have you in our zone with Cali for passport free travel to ease journeys for our people."

I understand the concerns but the idea is set a standard set by all European nations who choose vote on it. It would be up to member states to enforce the standards and laws in this but the main benefit is this makes a standardised test to be able to sell throughout Europe a big benefit for businesses. My concern if it was to be enforced from a central Europolis body would be that it would put off nations adopting the standards.

James Mizrachi-Roscoe, IAC commissioner

The banks may choose to use alternative systems if they wish to. This is needed so there is an option available throughout the EU as a standard and all payment systems are interoperable. Right now there is a possibility in some states a card from another might not work this fixes that issue making conductig business and travelling easier.I can say as a businessman by background how hard it is when dealing with multiple trading sytems and payment systems around the continent, this is needed to solve that and make sure it is universal.

James Mizrachi-Roscoe, IAC commissioner

John Peter Key and Arron Scott made their way on seperate budget trains from Cair Para to Londres.They were expecting a difficult summit there was much to fix in relations and policies. They were willing to do free trade and add spain to the free movement zone but there needed to be changes to make that happen.

The main issue was obvious though the tax system of Gibraltar Strait. The tax had the potential to cripple the economy of Europe so needed something doing and they were going to bring it up. They also planned to bring up non-interference in defence ships on missions to allied states in either region in the straits .

The Prime Ministers train arrived first with Arron Scott arriving half an hour later at the station. They cleared the customs in the station to meet Spanish

Nation Name: United Duchies
Artist: The Killers
Song: Don't Shoot Me Santa
Link to youtube: Link
Vote deliverer with their image linked: Joe Lycett
Link to your flag: Flag

Roscoes given to workers

Roscoes has restructured to dilute shares and give shares to the Roscoes Welfare Association which will be renamed the Union for Roscoes Workers. The restructuring will see the business move to the following ownership:

Workers will own 50.63% of the business having 10 of the 20 members on the board to become semi-worker owned and controlled. The Roscoes will take the greatest hit in value with their shares being worth 102 billion Euros down from 1.478 Trillion Euros. Rachel Reubenstein-Roscoe Co-Ceo along with Co-Ceo Ruth Cadbury said in a joint statement "We believe it is time to give our business to the workers as a legacy of our families values. We have run the business in accordance with putting the worker first and benefiting future generations. The shares have been gifted under deed restriction that they cannot be sold by either the Union for Roscoes Workers or the Roscoes Foundation or any of their sucessors. We hope this will keep the businesses values and ethics safe in the long term . No more voting shares may be issued on the stock market by covenant in order to protect the business from outsider infiltration." It is rumoured businesses like TUI have been considering also moving to semi-worker owned model.

Moderate- Centre Left Coalition confirmed
Today a Moderate , Liberal and PSD coalition has been confirmed after the election results last week with the three party government having a majority of 145 in the house of Commons and 22 in the House of Duchies. The new government is to focus on the increase of public services using economic growth , simplifying international trade through treaties and EU laws and increased labour protections for workers. The coalition are to commit to a raising of minimum wage increase to 22 Dux Libra or 6.2% increase , an increase of Paternity and Maternity leave to 15 weeks within 1 year of birth of a child and increase to 11 weeks of paid time off. The lack of lowering the hours before overtime cap is a notable and it is understood the Moderate Party was concerned lowering this would impact the economy too significantly believing the current cap is set at the right place. The coalition government will also result in a network of 7 million plus linked up DuchiesGuard Smart CCTV network with residents able to recieve payment to integrate private residence street facing CCTV and doorbells into the network to fight security risks and reduce incidence of crime. A priority of the government is to prepare for the summit with Leagio within the next week.The Liberal party secured the ending of non-public owned prisons and more priority of community sentences for less serious crimes as well as less severe prison sentences in return for the smart cctv and stricter punishments of more violent crimes,

The election resulted in the election of Aviv Rubenstein-Roscoe, Uri Mizachi-Roscoe and Jade Abbott Durham into the House of commons for the Brummagem South , Southwest and South East seats for the Moderate party. The election ha also resulted in the resignation of the UoD leader after their loss of 94 of their 111 House of Commons seats and 32 of ther 39 House of Duchies seats to the Moderate Party and Unus.The party is rumoured to be in civil war with a potential collapse of the party in the near future.

The election results are as follows:
House of Commons:

House of Duchies 2024:

Breakdown House of Duchies:
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Votes:

Seats:

House of Commons:

House of Duchies 2024:

Paths to Power:

Council Gridlock
I must state my absolute disappointment in the council gridlock caused by officials not moving acts through on time or on schedule. The people of Europe and governments of Europe voted for a council that works and actually proceeds with legislation. I have limited time in office and want to use this time to benefit the European people by continuing to harmonises standards through acts. This is being obstructed by obstructionists and inefficient council procedures and beaurocracy. I urge the council to vote on legislation in good time and work with my commission to pass acts that benefit the European people through harmonisation of policies on trade, quality standards and safety to ensure cheaper more affordable goods for all in the EU through simplifying of red tape.The commission cannot do its job if the council is not sticking to times set out in the constitution and efficiently moving legislation through the council.

Roscoes released without charge from Czechslavia
Today news has come through that the Roscoes arrested in Czechslavia Yohanna, Danya and Mathias have been released and are now in the United Duchies. Reports indicate no charges were pursued in the end by Czechslavia in what was seen by many as a political arrest to distract from domestic issues in the country. It is not known if a deal was struck for the release and what was in the deal if one exists.

However recently the Duchian Business Council has revised its stance on Czechslavia. The Duchian Business Council has now said "We do not believe buying goods from Czechslavia is a risky venture and partnerships of limited nature for production of goods in Czechslavia is a safe investment. We still believe there is work to be done if Czechslavia is to be considered safe for foreign owned assets fully but business with Czechslavian companies in the context of importing goods not of sensitive IP nature from Czechslavia is safe for businesses to do."It is not known whether Roscoes intend to conduct any business with Czechslavia in the future.

PSD announce workers benefits boost plan
Today the PSD rallied on their workers benefits plan in a press conference with unions. The party pledged the following proposals:

The pitch it seen as a radical increase in workers rights and conditions if elected into government with the PSD saying these increases and an increase of 10% in benefits rates would be the major red lines for a coalition. The Party said "We believe the hard working people of this nation should keep more of the growing wealth of this nation. We also believe these proposals will as backed by evidence be a win win for workers and business alike as evidence shows this policy results in increased productivity." The Moderate Party have kept tight lipped about these areas though they have pledged an increase in minimum wage to 22 Dux Libra by January 2025 while the UoD opposed the proposals describing them as a "economic suicide of the highest magnitude". Unus and AfD refused to comment on the platform only saying "We believe in workers rights and protecting Duchian workers interests." The Liberal Party have proposed minimal changes in labour policy saying " We believe the balance works well now though are open to changes in return for the right policies getting through in other areas." The Liberal Party are expected to be willing to compromise in return for some reforms of criminal justice to lighten sentences and increase community service sentencing for "minor crimes" .

I thank the right honourable councillor of the Duxburian Union and welcome his amendments. I do believe the new technology clause is flexible enough as it reads "such as" so wouldn't limit new technologies only to blockchain or crypto but just cites them as examples .

I do not believe that retail banking is obsolete or close to being so since many want the stability of an institution and protection of security features and financial protection offered by the industry. The chargeback and EuroPay Guard I believe is necessary to provide confidence in the network that would encourage people to use the system and its much better to have it organised at the Euro Pay level than through the banks or financial institutions without such a protection the system will be far too open to fraud and by setting aside a fund of 0.5% of transactions on the network we can cover transactions where money cannot be recovered from an account.

James Mizrachi-Roscoe, IAC commissioner

I am pleased with your support of the idea and take not of your oppinion on the voting majority. Howevery there needs to be a figure in place for committee decisions so I chose to use the European council principle.I settled on the 55% + 1 for sanctions as its the criteria the European councils vote level but adds a layer of protection to require more uniformity to impose sanctions.

I am concerned by eliminating the provision that the EuroPay network has to work to implement new technologies in its systems could potentially cause it to gradually become outdated. The EuroPay network needs to move with the times to use them most relevant payment technology of the day so would disagree with ammendment II.

James Mizrachi-Roscoe, IAC commissioner

On behalf of United Duchies I vote FOR this budget
Skye Hook , Deputy Councillour for United Duchies