Libertarian Reform Party
This article refers to the Official Opposition in Niploma
| |
| Established | 1985 |
| Address | 3, 6th Street, Failegn |
| Political ideology | Libertarianism, Reform and Conservatism. |
| Colours | Gold or Blue (to a lesser extent) |
| Party leader | David McKibben |
| Party president | Siobhan Clenghan |
| Motto | New Start for Niploma |
Formed in 1985 from several dissident Grand Conservative Party Deputies (members of Niploma's main chamber: the Democratic House) and Senators with the intent of creating 'not just economic freedom but social too...so to ensure Niploma can free itself from the hand of one-party-socialism'. The Libetarian Reform Party (Libertarians, Liberterian Reformers/Reformists or LRP) formed a short-term-coalition government in 2006 and supplied the Prime Minister with David McKibben. The coalition fell apart and an early election was called with the Libertarian Reformists polling badly. The party was excluded from the government coalition and instead returns 198 and 56 Deputies and Senators (of 800 and 200) in total as the official opposition.
Policies
The party has long put together the key ideology of libertarianism with what is known as 'Niplomian Reform'.
Generally speaking the party favours strong economic freedom, lower taxes, 'the right to do as you wish without infringing on the rights of others', centralisation of power (with rejection of federalism/autonomy for Bhumerick - Niploma's southernmost area) and numerous reform proposals. The 'Niplomian Reform' proposals are what the party describes as 'Niploma needing if it is ever to advance'. Namely the reforms include the election of a President as Head of State, abolition of the Senate, introduction of capitalism (already completed under the Social Democrats and continued during McKibben's term. Now seen as a common policy between the two main parties.) and leaving the United Nations as soon as possible. The party has favoured (and implemented) high defence spending so to ensure an 'international presence'.
Informal Branches
The party has become known for its interior informal branches of which members identify themselves with. The largest are the Liberterian Reformers (70% of party) whose polcies are exact, or similiar to, those above. The second largest grouping are the Traditionals (20%) who favour right wing economics as lifted above yet oppose personal freedom and favour conservatism. Traditionalists label themselves as conservative. The final branch are the Fox Populists (10%) (named after the national animal - Niplomian Fox) who represent the LRP in the countryside. The group favours help for agricultural businesses and ensuring traditional countryside techniques and values remain.
McKibben & the Libertarian Reformers today
David McKibben has ran the party since 1992 after the interim leader Martin McDonald stepped down. He is a famous politician both in Niploma and abroad due to his fiery speeches and continued leadership. McKibben was a member of the now-defunct Liberal Party (now effectively part of the Liberal-Gaelic Alliance) before joining the also defunct Grand Conservative Party (whose members formed the LRP). He was elected in the 1981 election as a youthful Grand Conservative Deputy. He then left the party in 1985 and joined the LRP. From there he became well-known as possibly the most convincing Deputy the LRP had in a time where SIP dominated the political scene. His consistent hard-line speeches against the Government began the rolling snowball of support for the LRP simply as, what he termed, the 'anti-Government and pro-Niploma party'. In 1992 an interior election to find a party leader was won by McKibben whom narrowly beat Martin McDonald. McDonald continues as a Senator today and represents the traditional wing of the party as described above.
McKibben led the LRP from strength to strength and, by using influence in the media and business world, had LRP views put across as often as possible. With such publicity the LRP rose up the political spectre and, by the mid 1990s, was a credible governing party. By 2000 McKibben's LRP was a strong opposition and McKibben gained a reputation as a 'Liberal-minded Deputy with a sting in his tail' which the Niplomian Times noted him as. In 2006 the LRP was elected into government as part of a coalition. The coalition collapsed with Labour and the Greens citing McKibben as 'too agressive to do deals with...the government collapsed under his dictatored rule'. The once favoured and, perhaps, highly admired McKibben retreated from politics and took the LRP with him. Although still leader of the party it is expected that one the current election finishes the LRP will have a new leader and try to re-formulate the LRP's tactics. Nonetheless, McKibben is accepted as, probably, the key reason why the Liberterian Reforms ever reached the point at which they are up to now.
