[Lauchenoiria]

Liaville Times - Referendum Special

19th February 2019

Youth campaign for independence publishes ‘manifesto’ of their vision for Aeluria

Independent Generation, the youth organisation set up to campaign for independence, today published a 30-page manifesto detailing their vision of an independent Aeluria. The organisation, which is separate from the Aelurian Independence Party and other pro-independence parties has published their ‘unique’ vision for the ‘long-term future of Aeluria’.

The manifesto differs measurably from the plan set forth by the AIP, and many members of Independent Generation are in fact not members of a political party. The campaign group states that they welcome members of “all parties and none”, with the goal of “promoting independence regardless of other political views”.

The manifesto states that they wish to see an “independent, democratic and secular Aeluria,” in a major departure from the AIP’s opposition to secularism. Independent Generation assured voters that while they support secularism, they are opposed to the “anti-religious discrimination perpetuated by the Lauchenoirian government”. It is thought this refers to the banning of all religious worship and material inside state-owned property, including schools.

Speaking to the Liaville Times, Montse Martell, one of the organisers of Intendent Generation said: “young people are being energised by this referendum. For the first time in many years, the possibility of real change is being presented, and it’s important that young people get involved and shape the direction in which we’re headed, because after all – it’s our future.”

She added: “independence is a chance for the people of Aeluria to have a real say in our future, instead of constantly being outvoted in the federal parliament by the rest of Lauchenoiria, who have different priorities than us. We see this in the fact that there is so much unused land owned by the federal government on this island, that they won’t open up to the agricultural industry. The federal government does not, and never will, have our best interests at heart. Independence is a chance to finally actually get what we vote for.”

On the other side of the youth debate, President of the Young Communists of Aeluria, Fred Prescott, responded to the launch of the manifesto by saying: “it’s unlikely that this group would get a single thing off their wishlist in an independent Aeluria. Half of it is completely at odds with the AIP’s vision, and if this group supports secular government and more job opportunities for young people, they are much more likely to achieve those aims within Lauchenoiria.”

Opinion polling currently puts support for independence amongst the 18-25 age group at 54%, higher than the general population. This group is the least likely to be religious, but amongst young Lurites, support for independence is much higher, at almost 96%. However, this group makes up a tiny fraction of the electorate.


Issue Focus – Health & Tobacco

Lauchenoiria has a comprehensive National Health Service, and currently no legal private alternatives, though a majority of political parties wish to introduce the option. Health is a devolved area, and therefore health policy for Aeluria is decided in Liaville rather than Buttercity. Therefore, there are only two main areas relating to health that independence could make a difference to: the legality or otherwise of private healthcare, and the consequences of the brief (disputed) legalisation of tobacco during the war.

It is likely, although not certain, that after the next Lauchenoirian federal elections, that private healthcare will be legalised. The three parties that support Aelurian independence – the AIP, the Greens and the Feminists – are curiously the most neutral on the issue of private healthcare. However, opinion polling suggests that only 42% of Aelurians support the existence of private healthcare, a much lower figure than that of all Lauchenoiria – 63%. While this would be a question for the first government after independence, it is likely Aeluria would be less likely to change the current policy than Lauchenoiria.

The question of tobacco is one that is unique in being completely attributable to the war. Shortly before the beginning of the blockade, a force of Kivasekian volunteer soldiers landed on Aeluria, welcomed by the government that had issued the unilateral declaration of independence. This force brought with them large quantities of tobacco, which they then shared with the local population, in violation of Lauchenoirian federal law, which prohibits the importation or use of tobacco products under any circumstances.

Following the actions of the Kivasekians, the Parliament of Aeluria retroactively legalised tobacco, several weeks into the blockade. If one considers the Aeluria of the war to have been an independent state, as stated by their government, and recognised by Kivasek and Gnejs, then tobacco was legal for this period. However, if Aeluria was not indeed independent during this period, which is the prevailing view, then the law passed was illegitimate, and thus the activities concerning tobacco were fully illegal.

Regardless of the legality issues surrounding the period during the blockade, the effects of that period are widespread. A considerable amount of Aelurians became addicted to nicotine during the summer, and with tobacco certainly illegal once more, many are turning to the illegal drug trade to get their fix. The health impacts of this period are already being felt by the Aelurian health service, and it is predicted medical costs associated with it are only going to rise.

As aids such as nicotine patches, commonly used by those aiming to stop smoking, are banned by the Lauchenoirian government, these avenues are not legally available to Aelurians who are trying to cope with the aftermath of the summer. According to the AIP, an independent Aeluria would allow such aids to be used, which would help people quit more easily, and would reduce their reliance on illegal drugs. The black market has surged on Aeluria in the aftermath of the war, and criminal activity has massively increased. Pro-independence forces say this is the result of Lauchenoiria’s no-exceptions policy.