(Dated 2nd April 2021)
News at Twelve:
THE START OF A NEW MINISTRY
Franklin Barvata began to form his government comprised solely of Labour cabinet members on Friday after being delivered an overall Representatives majority by a tempestuous election. Barvata and his wife, Sophia Boston, travelled to Sani Bursil Royal Palace where he accepted the invitation of King Lambertus VII to form a government. He later reappointed Riannar Karmer as First Secretary, Horace Lanx as Home Secretary, Ron Wehrasbi as Foreign Secretary and Mikhail Sankuda as Defence Secertary; but did not keep Samminel Doros as Chancellor, a move that had been building up over several months with several altercations in cabinet meetings between Doros and the prime minister. Though these claims are bold, Barvata has made no comment besides reiterating his relationship with the former Chancellor is unhindered.
In an highly contentious election with historical and political significance, Labour won only 863 seats, 35 less than the 898 required for an absolute majority, while the Conservatives also slumped to 600, down 55 and their worse result since 1998. The result invalidated a string of opinion polls that suggested Labour was set for an absolute majority, and that Morstaybishlia was heading for a stable seven years of uninterrupted Labour government. This paradoxical electoral victory for Barvata has thrust his reliance on the Valerian Labour faction more than ever, where before the strength of his party was usually enough to pass bills until the Joralesian terrorist attacks divided opinions.
Barvata and Hermin, the leader of the Valerian Labour faction, made an agreement the same afternoon the results came through. This was done in such an affect that indicates Barvata knew his position could be jeopardized; the agreement puts more Valerian Labour representation in cabinet, with Environment Secretary Ghenner Yarmer being replaced by Ghenner Asterleigh, Nellie Hermin as South Staynes Secretary - replacing Arlin Klements who himself is the new Chancellor, and Lonnie Rosenward with Ashryn Laberos. The promotion of Ashryn Laberos as Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor marks the first ever non-human and first ever Usprian elf to the Cabinet of Morstaybishlia, something the Species Equality Board has hailed as a victory.
In addition to these new Valerian Labour faction MPs in the cabinet, the agreement clearly set out motions which enabled the South Staynish people three referendums in the next twelve months; an independence referendum, a name change referendum with the options being to keep their name South Staynes or to change it to Valeria; and a referendum on the topic of devolution, which leader Nellie Hermin has been advocating her entire political career since the 1980s.
Other important changes to kick-start the second Barvata ministry include the replacement of Health Secretary Robert Lannet with Florence Wills, who held the Education Secretary post since 2019. Wills’ vacancy was filled by Labour veteran and Minister of School Standards Katharyn Alvoret, who has been a Member of Parliament for 35 consecutive years. The Caltharus Secretary Fredmund Constantine was replaced by Kellie Fross.