United Kingdom of Vordania and Haldavia

History

(Main article: History of Vordania and Haldavia)

Politics

(Main article: Elections in Vordania and Haldavia)
(Main article: Political Parties in Vordania and Haldavia)

The United Kingdom of Vordania and Haldavia is a constitutional monarchy, ruled by the Vaedrian Dynasty. Until 1870 separate branches of the same family ruled the two nations independently, however intermarriage between the reigning King Charles IV of Vordania and Queen Helena II of Haldavia united the dynasty as one. After this efforts were made to formally unite the two nations, who had been heavily interdependent with a shared history for over a thousand years. On the 1st of January 1880 an Act of Union came into effect uniting the two nations with a common Parliament located in the Vordanian capital.

Monarchy

Legislature

The United Kingdom is largely governed from its legislature based in Vordisvy, consisting of two chambers, the House of Commons and the House of Lords, collectively known as the Houses of Parliament. The House of Commons retains greater significance, as its is responsible for legislation creation. The House of Lords serves as a reviewing chamber.

House of Commons

The House of Commons consists of 700 members, 525 from Vordania and 175 from Haldavia, all elected via universal suffrage under a first past the post system. The Prime Minister is drawn from the largest party in the House of Commons, and is free to form a government composed of members from both Houses. The House of Commons serves as legislative body, creating new laws, which after having been debated, voted upon and reviewed are sent to the House of Lords. Currently the largest Party in the House of Commons is the Conservative Party, working in coalition with their Unionist allies. One notable problem in the House of Commons is the under representation of Haldavia. If Haldavia constituencies were of a similiar size to Vordanian constituencies, there would be an extra 87 seats for Haldavia. It is unclear as to why the Haldavian Parliament accepted this when the Act of Union was passed, but it has been important in reducing the impact of the anti-union vote within the House of Common itself.

House of Lords

The House of Lords is composed of 520 peers, 472 of whom are hereditary Lords Temporal, 48 are Lords Spiritual, drawn from the established Episcopal Church. 342 Lords Temporal and 32 Lords Spiritual come from Vordania, the remainder from Haldavia (130 and 16 respectively). The House of Lords does not have the same legislation creation ability as the House of Commons, however it is responsible for reviewing and amending proposed legislation, and must vote on legislation if the House of Commons backs a Bill. The House of Lords has a permanent veto over any piece of legislation, giving it huge power. Opposition Liberals, Socialists and Nationalists are committed to removing this veto, due to the fact that the House of Lords has an in built Conservative majority.

Issues

The single most important issue in the politics of the United Kingdom is that of Home Rule, primarily for Haldavia, but also for the regions of Bordonia and Braedonia. The Union of Vordania and Haldavia was brought about in 1880, at a time when Catholics in Haldavia were still denied the vote. Catholic opposition to the Union was strong, and the Liberal government of McKlintock brought about Catholic emancipation in Haldavia with the aim of securing their votes. However this led to the creation of a Home Rule movement in Haldavia advocating the Repeal of the Union. A low intensity guerilla war has been fought in parts of Haldavia since, and the issue of Home Rule currently splits the nation. However in recent times it has led to massive Conservative and Unionist majorities, as they have been able to rally around the flag, and present their opponents as Catholic traitors to a largely Protestant electorate in Vordania.

Geography

Vordania

Haldavia

Beltic Fringe

Economy

The United Kingdom has a well developed and varied economy. Of the two nations, Haldavia is usually seen as being the more backward, with a large agricultural sector, however since Union, it has closed the gap on Vordania considerably with regards to the GDP per capita and unemployment. The Haldavia economy has significantly benefited from the Union with Vordania, which increased investment, both state and private, helping to reduce unemployment, and increase the presence of non-agricultural industries.

Agriculture

Of the two Kingdoms, Haldavia has the greater agricultural sector, with beef being of special importance. A great deal of Beef is eaten in the nation, and it is the main source of meat.

Resources

Largely mined in Vordania, Uranium is the chief natural resource found in th United Kingdom. It is used for energy, as well as being exported to other nations.

Industry

Both Vordania and Haldavia have important industrial sectors, however it is of major importance in Vordania proper. In both countries Arms manufacturing is significant, and in Vordania automobile manufacturing is also well developed.

Services

Apart from the obvious services in the Kingdom, such as banking, the gambling sector is of major importance, especially in Haldavia.

Demographics

Language

Religion

(Main article: Religion in Vordania and Haldavia)

The United Kingdom is a very devout nation, with over 97% of the population claiming at least nominal membership in one of 12 nationally recognised religious bodies. Although regular attendance is lower than nominal membership, at least half of all religious believers attend church weekly, over two thirds at least once a month. Church and state are heavily inter linked, with the Episcopal Church of Vordania (C of V) established in all of the provinces of Vordania proper, and in Bordonia. In Braedonia, the Reformed Church is the established state Church, and in Haldavia the Episcopal Church of Haldavia (C of H), the sister Church of the C of V.