Cobdenia
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| Flag of Cobdenia | |
| Motto: Copra Sanctum | |
| Cobdenia | |
| Region | Antarctic Oasis |
|---|---|
| Capital | Port Sir Richard |
| Official Language(s) | English, Latin, Fragganoo |
| Government | |
| Population | c. 4 billion |
| Currency | Cobdenian Pound, shillings and pence (£C) |
| NS Sunset XML | |
Cobdenia. A land in the perpetual past. A land of a better time. A land unspoilt by Pot Noodles. As soon you see the idyllic land below you from the aeroplace, you will immediately think that there is no other place on earth (or the space-time continuum) that can match it. That's what the tourist brouchure says. You will probably actually be wondering "Dude, what the hell happened to my iPod?" as you stare at your brand new gramophone. That's if you haven't had a heart attack when the Boeing 747 you were flying in on turns into three Handley Pages. This is because in 1929, Cobdenia had a slight problem with a time machine, Jesus Christ, and a forklift truck, this has caused Cobdenia to exist as a projection into the 2005, 1624, and 5428 and 1930 simultaneously; despite existing, itself, in the (now) 1930's. This means that if you exist in any of those time zones in a nation other than Cobdenia, you can visit Cobdenia in it's present time(i.e. 1930), but anything you take into Cobdenia or out of Cobdenia becomes appropriate for that time period, so if you were to take a computer from 2005 into Cobdenia it would turn into a typewriter, and if you were to take a typewriter out of Cobdenia through the 1642 projection, it would turn into a quill. Still, this does mean that one doesn't need to go to a bureau de change. Your money will automatically change to Cobdenian pounds in your pocket, at the correct exchange rate.
Contents
History
Cobdenia was founded in 1886 by a small group of free trade advocates who had been expelled from their protectionistic home countries for their opposition to various governments. They decided to settle on an large island formerly known as Los Kjarkos Llarando Se Fue, and the new arrivals and the native islanders soon became part of the British Empire (more through the dersire of the islanders to become part of the Empire rather then the British imposing their will upon them). The Dominion and it's capital was named Cobdenia and Port Sir Richard respectively in honour of Richard Cobden, a British Economist and Statesman noted for his advocation of international free trade and his belief, shared by the Cobdenians of the time, that free trade would lead to global peace and prosperity. To this day, Cobden is seen as a cult figure in Cobdenia in the same way that Marx and Lenin are in Communist states, and there is a famous statues of him and Riccardo (another economist) located in the Great Square in Port Sir Richard, in front of the Governorate-General and the Parliament. In 1927, Cobdenia became independent, but this was very much against the wishes of the population; hence it has retained it colonistic flag, and the former British Governor-General (Air Chief Marshal Sir Clive Cholmondsey-Cholmondsey-Smythe) and his deputy (Rear-Admiral The Honourable Leslie Featherstonehaugh-Michelwhaite) have retained their position, and they are now considered to be the Head of State, although they have no real power. Indepence has also been he reason for the change in title, where formerly they were a Dominion, they are now an Governorate; to reflect the fact that they are, for all intents and purposes, a constitutional monarchy; although the monarch in this case is titled Governor-General. (see Politics)
Politics
The Governorate of Cobdenia has only one house, known as the House of Advisors (as historically those elected to the parliament merely advised the Governor-General as to which course of action to take), although it is general called the Parliament. Members are elected usually every five years, although a government can hold elections earlier if it so wishes, via a first past the post constituency system. The MHA's the Prime Minister (along party lines) following a general election. It is the Prime Minister appoints Ministers. Currently there are 200 MHAs (Members of the House of Advisors). The House of Advisors consist of both the Legislative and Executive Branch, the Judicial (the Law Lords who elect the Lord Chief Justice) are elected by the Judges (Justices), who are themselves elected by the people from those who have passed the Cobdenian bar exam and have worked as barristers or solicitors for more then 15 years. The Govenor-General or his Deputy are required to sign any legislaion before it becomes law, but this is a mere formality. The Governorship is now a heriditory position, and it is generally assumed that the Head of State will become a hereditary position from Sir Leslie's lineage.
Heads of State
Governor-General: HE Admiral of the Fleet Sir Leslie Featherstonehaugh-Michelwhaite GCS GCRC GOG (Since 1931)
Head of Government
Prime Minister: The Rt. Hon. Dr Sir John Snipe-Maddox KCS MHA (since 1927)
The Cabinet
Chancellor of the Exchequor: The Rt. Hon. Mr Michael Johnstone-Jones MHA
Secretary of State for Defence: The Rt. Hon. General Sir Robin McPherson-Jebby KGO OGO MHA
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs: The Rt. Hon. Sir Rory Relp KCRC MHA
Secretary of State for Home Affairs: The Rt. Hon. Mrs Bernadette Wilkinson CS MHA
Secretary of State for Education and Healthcare: The Rt. Hon. Mrs Francine Mole-Howe CS MHA
Secretary of State for Transport: The Rt. Hon. Mr Richard Starr-Fudgewudden MHA
Secretary of State for Trade and Industry: The Rt. Hon. Mr Juan Kindonqi MHA
Secretary of State for the Promotion of World Free Trade: The Rt. Hon. Sir Charles Godleming-Noodles CS KOG MHA
The Judiciary
Lord Chief Justice (The Chief Justice of Cobdenia)
His Judicial Grace The Lord Richard Melton-Mowbury KH of The High Chamber of Justice
The Law Lords (The High Chamber of Justice)
- The Hon. Sir Francis Pool-Quanty KH
- The Hon. Sir Vincent Juniper KH
- The Hon. Dame Margaret Jimm-Slippe DH
- The Hon. Sir Mark Holman-Meyer-Nase KH
- The Hon. Dame Sheena Weston DH
- The Hon. Dr. Sir Ralph Forrester KH
Political Parties
The Libertarian Cobdenist Party (Leader: The Rt. Hon. Dr Sir John Snipe-Maddox KCS MHA): 170 seats
The Socialistic Cobdenist Party (Leader: The Rt. Hon. Mr Douglas Fredelo-Cheeseman CS MHA): 25 seats
The Church Party (Leader: His Grace The Rt. Hon. Lewis Mainstray, MHA, Archbishop of Port Sir Richard and Primate of Cobdenia ) : 5 seats
It is worth mentioning the Protectionist Part, led by Dr Vijay C.J. Petrehpetel, who are the only political party who oppose the views that the country was founded on. However, his following is widespread and he has so far been unable to gain any Parliamentary seats. The Protectionist Party is believed to be the political wing of the Protectionist Alliance Terrorist Organisation
The Church party has only one objective: to change the national motto, Copra Sanctum (Holy Poo), which was believed by the secular settlers to be Jesus Christ's words after he had been told he was to be nailed to the cross. Archbishop Lewis Mainstray disputes this.
Biographies
Admiral of the Fleet Sir Leslie Featherstonehaugh-Michelwhaite GCS GCRC GOG
Sir Leslie was born 1900 in Cuckfield, Sussex. He was educated at Eastbourne College, before attended Brittania Royal Naval College, in Dartmouth. We rose rapidly through the ranks through the usual method of systematic blackmail to become a Captain at the age of 26. His superiors got fed up with him and sent him to Cobdenia as Deputy Governor-General in 1926, citing it's strong nautical strategic position as a reason for having a serving naval officer holding the position. When Cobdenia became independent, he resigned his commision in the Royal Navy, gave himself a commision in the Gubernatorial Navy, and promoted himself to Rear-Admiral. He became the Governor-General following the death of Air Chief Marshall Sir Clive Cholmondsey-Cholmondsey-Smythe in early 1931, and took the honorary rank of Admiral of the Fleet.
Dr Sir John Snipe-Maddox KCS MHA
John Snipe-Maddox was born in Port Sir Richard in 1889 and attended The Port Sir Richard School for Boys and the University of Economics, where he earn a doctorate. He joined The Libertarian Cobdenist Party in 1920, and in 1925 he was made Chancellor of the Exchequer. When (the then) Chief Administrator Sebastian Doyle retired in 1927 following Cobdenian independence, he replaced him. The Libertarian Cobdenist Party have been in power since 1927.
Richard Cobden
Richard Cobden was born in 1804 into a farming family at Heyshott near Midhurst in West Sussex. In 1814 his father had to sell the farm and Richard, the fourth of eleven children, was sent to a school in Yorkshire which he described as "Dotheboys Hall" in reality. In 1819 Cobden went to work in his uncle's warehouse in London where he proved to be an adept clerk and salesman.In 1828 he and two friends went into partnership to sell calico in London; in 1831 they opened a calico-printing works in Lancashire. In 1832 Cobden settled in Manchester but went on to visit America and the Levant. Consequently he published England, Ireland and America in 1835 and Russia in 1836. In them he preached free trade and economic non-intervention by the government.In 1837 he stood as a parliamentary candidate for Stockport on a free trade platform but was unsuccessful. In 1838 he became one of the seven founding members of the Anti-Corn-Law League in Manchester. He conducted lecture tours all over England and he became an MP for Stockport in 1841. His parliamentary speeches were clear, quiet and persuasive; he was an ideal partner for the other leading MP and Anti-Corn-Law League member, John Bright. Cobden was the only man ever to beat Peel in debate in parliament and in 1846 Peel acknowledged Cobden's role in the repeal of the Corn Laws.He refused to merge the Anti-Corn-Law League with wider programmes of reform because he saw the advantages of a single policy, and saw the appeal to new industrial areas. He was so committed to the cause of free trade that he became bankrupt. A public subscription of £80,000 was raised in recognition of his services and in 1847 he used the money to buy back his childhood home and farm.Cobden did not hold Cabinet office although in 1860 he was responsible for arranging a commercial treaty with France. He spoke out strongly in favour of the north during the American Civil War. Cobden died in 1865.
Air Chief Marshall Sir Clive Cholmondsey-Cholmondsey-Smythe GCS GCRC GOG
Sir Clive was born in 1847 in Muckworth, Buckinghamshire. He was educated at Eton and St Muhammed's College, Cambridge. He got his first commision, passing out of Sandhurst, and commanded a section in Bangalore in the summer of 1869. Due to the fact he was a aeronautical pioneer, he was transferred to the Royal Air Force in 1917, and by 1925 he had reached the rank of Air Chief Marshall, and he retired from the RAF in 1926 and was made British Governor-General to Cobdenia in 1927. When Cobdenia became independent in 1927, he retained his position and became the head of state, although he had no real power. He died in 1931
From 1927 to his death, Sir Clive became incredibly popular in Cobdenia. His outspoken belief in Cobdenism, and his reputation as a great orator endeared him to the population, and he was almost seen as Cobden's hier. Unfortunatly, Sir Clive was killed by Chechnyan terrorist actions in early 1931
Geography
The island is mainly fertile fields, with large area's of forest to the south. The island is generally flat, although it does rise slightly from the see into the centre, reaching a maximum elevation of 50 feet above sea level.
Population
Cobdenia has two distinct groups - the Europeans, who moved into Cobdenia in 1882, and the native islanders. The Europeans comprise about 25% of the country. The natives are divided into many different tribes and ethnicities, the best known being the Fraganoos, Calumpees, and Kedungas. Whilst Cobdenia is fully democratic, there are very few natives in high governmental positions and in the House of Representatives, although this is being addressed.
National Anthem
On Cobden's true words of a free trading planet
Cobdenia has welded for ever to stand,
Thy wealth was created by the will of our people,
Now flourish as one, the great Liberal Land!
Sing to Cobdenia! home of the wealthy,
Defender of Free Trade and Independence!
The ideal of freedom, the strength of our people,
To Cobdenism’s triumph it will lead us on!
Through protectionism the sunrays of free trade have guided
Along the new path where great Cobden did lead.
To a righteous cause he raised up our people,
Inspired them to labour and heroic deeds.
Sing to Cobdenia, home of the wealthy,
Defender of Free Trade and Independence!
The ideal of freedom, the strength of our people,
To Cobdenism’s triumph it will lead us on!
In the victory of Cobdenism’s deathless ideals
We see the future of our glorious Land,
And to her crested blue ensign banner
Selflessly true we always shall stand!
Sing to Cobdenia, home of the wealthy,
Defender of Free Trade and Independence!
The ideal of freedom, the strength of our people,
To Cobdenism’s triumph it will lead us on!
Cobdenian National Anthem Recording
Diplomacy
Cobdenia is very actively involved in the United Nations, having previously served as a regional delegate for the Liberal Atlantic Organisation, and has a delegate, The Hon. Sir Barrington Womble, sitting on The Pretenama Panel. The Cobdenian Representative to the UN is His Excellency Sir Cyril MacLehose-Strangways-Jones KCRC LOV, who authored the Diplomatic Immunity resolution. For Cobdenian enforcement and cunning wangles out of UN resolutions, see Cobdenian UN Compliance
See also:
- NSwiki:Factbook wikifying service
- The Pretenama Panel
- Flags of Cobdenia
- Medals and Orders of Cobdenia
- Cobdenian UN Compliance
- Military of Cobdenia
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