Friday, August 04, 2006
Interview With Prime Minister Christian Mackintosh of Riponia
This week's Interview was with the Prime Minister of Riponia. I have to admit that this has to be my personal favorite thus far in the Series. The Prime Minister is an endearing man, and is very well spoken. I hope you will all enjoy reading the Interview as much as I enjoyed making it happen.

(HT = Haraldsborg Times, PM = Prime Minister Mackintosh)
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This first part reflects my talk with the man behind the PM - these are "out of character" questions.

HT: To begin with today, it might be nice to get a little background on how Riponia came into being. Where did the idea for Riponia come from? I might add that this question is almost identical to a question submitted by one of Riponia’s citizens, Tatiana.

PM: Ah, you see, those of you from ‘over the pond’ (or elsewhere) might not have heard of ‘The Two Ronnies’, but they were quite a popular comedy double act here in Britain at one time. One day, I just so happened to be watching one sketch in which one of the aforementioned Ronnies was posing as a Viking laying claim to some territory in the Midlands which had apparently been granted to his ancestors.

Upon watching this, the idea of forming my own nation came to me. This was in 2003, if my memory serves me correctly.

The idea lay dormant for a while until the summer of 2005 when, whilst bored, I happened to search the internet for projects similar to my own ‘nation’. I found various webpages, including MNN, and wanted to be a part of this hobby.

The rest, as they say, is history.

HT: What aspects of Micronationalism appeal to you most, and which do you dread?

PM: For me, micronationalism is an opportunity to experience and be a part of something that i’ll most likely never experience in the real world. I adore intermicronational affairs and diplomacy, and would like to engage more in the role-playing aspect of micronationalism, but all in good time...

I can’t honestly say that I dread anything about micronationalism, save for the summer lull...!

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This is the "in character" portion of the interview - the reporter and the Prime Minister.


HT: Thank you for having me here today for this interview, Prime Minister.

PM: No no, thank you, madam. It is an honour to welcome you to this humble nation. Please, take a seat...

HT: Now for the interview. Are you ready? I promise not to be too hard on you!

PM: Ah, don’t worry about me, I’m a Northerner... I can handle anything you can throw at me!

HT: That's good to hear! Now - the biggest issue that’s been brought up recently among my readers involves the Circum-Raynor War. Could you please provide some personal, as well as national insight into the War as you and your people saw it?

PM: Well, for us the Circum Raynor war was primarily about two things. One, protecting the UCS, a nation too small to defend itself from what was an unprovoked and morally despicable attack. Secondly, we in Riponia wanted to honour our close friendship with Matbaa, and assist her in whatever way she required.

I value greatly Riponia’s friendship with nations like Matbaa. For us, a treaty is not just a scrap of paper, readily forgotten. For us a treaty is a bond between nations, and we will not break those bonds.

HT: After the War was concluded, it’s interesting to note that some of your “enemies” are on good terms with Riponia. How did this come about, and do you see Riponia participating in further conflicts (potential Babkha-Matbaa War comes to mind)?

PM: Riponia achieved her aims for the war. The UCS has not been attacked again, and we did our duty to Matbaa. Our war was with Woodstania alone. I am all too familiar of the messy web of alliances that brought so many nations into the war, and that is regrettable, but as i say, Riponia’s war was not with Antica, Natopia, Babkha, Stormark, Alexandria or New Oscland.

In fact, I hold a great deal of respect for all nations involved in the war, friend or foe. I talk of ‘bonds between nations’, and it’s worth noting that Riponia also shares treaties with many of our ‘enemies’, treaties which we shall stand by. Hence the continued good relations.

As for involvement in further conflicts, I simply cannot comment.

HT: Has anything of particular note occurred during this current session of Parliament?

PM: Well, this Parliament has been the first democratically elected one in Riponia’s short history. As such, all legislation passed is down to the work of this Parliament.

There are, however, two things i would like to draw your attention to. The first was the passing of the most recent constitution, which streamlined the Government and suited Riponia much better than its predecessor.

Secondly, the Parliament only recently passed the Electoral Reform Act, which I am proud to say finally allowed Riponia to become a direct democracy. This was something I had been wanting to implement for a long time, but I had to wait for the right moment. The bill has also had the desired effect, with citizens now submitting their own legislation rather than waiting for the Government to do it.

However, the best is yet to come.

HT: How long do you see yourself serving as PM of Riponia?

PM: Ooh... to take a stab in the dark... approximately a week? Maybe two?

You see, for a while now the Elder Council has been meeting to discuss much-touted ‘major reforms’. Riponia, pending the agreement of the Parliament, is to become a Republic. Riponia was never truly the Union that its name implied, the Governmental system has been flawed from the beginning, and citizens have not been given the necessary impetus to involve and advance themselves.

These reforms will allow us to address all of these issues and more. Details of the proposed reforms will emerge shortly in the Riponian Parliament.

Now, if you’re asking how long i shall remain Head of State, I think I shall stand for the first Presidential election, with a term of four months, and that’ll be my lot. I do not wish to serve a fourth term as Head of State just yet. Regarding the future though, who knows?

HT: Which nations do you personally consider to be Riponia’s closest allies, and why?

PM: Riponia’s closest allies, without a shadow of a doubt, would be our fellow NAM members, and Matbaa. The Non-Aligned Movement is very important to us in Riponia, we truly believe that it is a good cause, a noble cause, and one that we shall protect.

HT: I noticed that there is a Ministry of Economics Building in Ripon, which is apparently closed and has seen no activity for several months. Why was that building placed, and what’s happened to cause it’s activity level to cease?

PM: I’m afraid that the regrettable departure of our previous Economics Minister, and the lack of a suitable replacement, has rather left the Ministry gathering dust. In a few months time this will no longer be a problem, as we aim to have enough trained economists within our ranks by that point to be able to find someone who could do the job well.

HT: What is the purpose of the Elder Council, can you tell me who the members are, and why the forum for the Council is restricted?

PM: The Elder Council is primarily an advisory body to the Government, although it currently possesses some powers to stall legislation and in extreme cases, declare a General Election.

However, under the Republic, the stronger Judiciary means that the Elder Council can be reduced to simply an advisory body.

Members of the Elder Council are those that made up the first Cabinet of the United Counties of Riponia. That would be Myself, Nymphette, dan the man and Ardens. Of course, the Elder Council was never going to be effective until the next Parliament, which we should see in a matter of weeks.

HT: The GIC, while seeming rather ominous, looks more benign than anything. It doesn’t see much activity, and I can’t find any record of real power being exerted. Why is the GIC still there, and what do you see as the benefits and potential pitfalls of this organization?

PM: If the GIC hasn’t had to do much, that is surely good news, because it means that the current Government has done nothing unconstitutional, and that Riponian citizens have not complained about its actions! In fact, the longer it stays inactive, the better!

As with the Elder Council, the Republic’s strong Judiciary will mean that the GIC is no longer required in its present form, so will be dissolved.

To look, however, at the organisation as it was, it ensured that the Government acted constitutionally and aided citizens in all manner of problems. Most of its actions have since been consigned to the Archives though, so if you want to find them, you’ll have to look there.

There will always be pitfalls inherent in such a system, but I sincerely believe that it was a positive force in Riponia, and well-managed by Tatiana at that.

HT: Now we can get to some questions submitted by our readers. This first set comes from Nymphette, your Deputy PM in Riponia.

PM: Oh good. Please continue.

HT: How do you feel about what Riponia has become, after what it once was?

PM: A tough question, considering that what Riponia is and was is a very subjective and personal thing. To me, in the past year I have seen Riponia growing, evolving and maturing. From what was once more of a spam forum than a nation, something truly beautiful has emerged. I am proud of Riponia and all its citizens. We have a booming economy with a growing share of the international weapons trade... something any Prime Minister would be proud of... an active Parliament and Government, and have formed strong friendships that transcend all international boundaries.

HT: Why do you lie to me?

PM: I never lie...

HT: What does it feel like to be liked by people?

PM: Err... great?

HT: Why are you such a twat?

PM: I take it I can count on your vote in the next election?

HT: Now that those are out of the way, here are some less kindhearted questions from readers outside of Riponia.

Where did that flag design come from?

PM: The flag was made almost immediately after Riponia was established in the City of Ripon. Whilst not vexillologically beautiful, it is a part of our heritage.

I can’t really remember where the design came from, I was simply trying to create a flag and that’s what happened to come out. It isn’t perfect, but we Riponians adore it.

HT: Aside from Riponia, name the one micronation that you respect and admire most and tell us why you feel that way.

PM: Hmm... just one? That’s really quite tough, because I would much rather name two, or even more.

I truly respect the Republic of Antica, it is a truly fine nation that, having survived one of the most divisive... divisions... in recent history, has flourished and arguably has become one of today’s Superpowers.

Yet, I would also name the Zatriarchate of Matbaa as a nation I truly respect, if only for having taken a culture that most micronationalists know nothing about and bringing it out into the wider micronational world so successfully.

HT: How did you get all these women to join Riponia? It’s like the opposite of every other micronation around.

PM: Well... I’d like to say it was my devilish good looks, unparalleled wit and awe-inspiring mastery of the English language that did it, but I would be lying... The truth is, Riponia is a micronation that has something for everyone, male or female, young or old. The Women’s Institute has also been very effective at giving the Riponian Ladies a place to call their own, although it did have to close following clashes with the Men’s Institute.

Anyway, it is my firm belief that over the internet, gender, as with race or nationality, loses its meaning and value. After all, we’re all alike.

HT: That concludes our interview, Prime Minister. Do you have anything you’d like to mention to our readers before we close?

PM: We’re finished already? A crying shame!

HT: Yes, being with me has a way of making time fly. Anyway, Prime Minister - thank you so much for the invitation. And thank you for welcoming me here to beautiful Ripon. I’ve had a great time.

PM: It has been a pleasure. Feel free to stop by in Riponia anytime you’re in the neighbourhood!
 
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