Civil Debate For Chancellor and Chief Justicar Knighthawke Announces Retirement

[Vivian Fellows]

Civility ruled the day for the candidates competing for the position of chancellor. Both experienced hands, incumbent Chancellor DaKaren and former Chancellor, as well as former Chief Justicar, Ra'Dian Fl'Gith verbally thrust and parried each other for the better part of an hour. An elf and another non human, both with much longer lifespans than the normal Britannian human, combined for over a century and a half of experience in steering the High Council of Britannia.


It was a packed house to hear the candidates in the first election in decades. Many thought it would be a heated, maybe testy, debate. With the expected fireworks, many were willing sweat twice their weight off on the back benches. Vivian Fellows of the Tribune was picked to moderate the debate. As the chamber clock struck the tone for the hour, Vivian invited the candidates to take their places behind the podiums.
Both candidates were given three minutes to make an opening statement about themselves before moving on to the first topic of domestic issues, namely the increasing hostilities between Skara Brae and Jhelom. DaKaren and Ra'Dian took similar stances as King Blackthorn, encouraging dialogue between both parties, insisting that both should return to the table. The incumbent state that at this time it seems impossible with neither wishing to come to the table. The former chief justicar countered that dialogue could be initiated by on it's own by directly going to them.
With the recent news of King Blackthorn being focused on the affair of Ter Mur rather than the domestic agenda, mainly Skara Brae and Jhelom, but also the attacks in Yew, the second question moved to how either would work to ensure the King is properly involved in domestic affairs. Neither took a chance to criticize the King, with Chancellor DaKaren going as far to say that he would remain working with the Ruling Council even if the King chose to "remain above it." Fl'Gith argued that we may never know what is troubling the King and why he overlooks some of the problems of the kingdom, but it is up to the Council to make sure that the citizens of Britannia are safe.
The second topic of leadership crises moved naturally to third topic of the recent foreign crises started by Chancellor DaKaren's current Minister of Virtue, Malag'aste Hla'ate, racially insensitive comments towards the gargoyle race. Rather than eviscerate the current Chancellor for the controversy, Ra'Dian chose to simply say there would be no place for such views in his administration and someone who holds such views would have no place in his cabinet and he would frown upon councilors who held such views as well. However, he would not go on a witch hunt to remove councilors with long records of outstanding service to the High Council. Chancellor DaKaren reiterated that the Minister of Virtue plainly misspoke and apologized quite soon after it became apparent that his words had been taken as offensive.
The final question for the evening, and where many thought sparks would fly if there were to be any, was on the power of the chancellor. Did the candidates feel the chancellor should have more executive power? Less? Chancellor DaKaren, having of course been chancellor during its passage, felt that the current version of the sixth constitution provided the right amount of balance. He noted that most of the perceived powers were only emergency ones meant as a short stop gap between council sessions if needed. The former chief justicar felt the military and the court were more than strong enough to handle any situation were trouble to arise in regards to the checks and balances. His concern was more on the perceived power that is granted to the person who hold the position of chancellor, even if they really have that power or not. He noted this was the most important factor when making a choice for chancellor as it is in the execution of these details that must be most scrutinized.
With the final question out of the way, each were give three minutes to give a closing statement on where they saw the High Council heading under their stewardship as chancellor if they were to win.
Incumbent Chancellor DaKaren:
If re-elected, I intend to continue to steer the Council on a democratically progressive course and meet future challenges head-on. Whether these challenges are from within our own chambers, brought upon us by social outcasts such as Rodrik, or more existential threats to our Virtue. We have an exemplary group of individuals on the Council and I am confident that if they steadfastly apply the Virtues in their governance they will continue to excel. Thank you for your support.

Former Chancellor and former Chief Justicar, Ra'Dian Fl'Gith:
Thank ye, m'lord Fellows, Chancellor, 'onored guests fer yer time this eve. I agree with th' Lord Chancellor that there is an exceptional group o' people 'ere that work t' better th' e'eryday lives o' th' citizens o' this great Kingdom. Th' only difference I see in 'ow I would lead this Council directly is th' more 'ands-on approach that I think contrasts th' Chancellor's present governance. I think 'e 'as served remarkably well an' should be commended, but I think that as Britannia 'as evolved, so too is it time fer th' leadership in this chamber t' do so once more. I would see th' Council return t' more direct involvement in matters, in a positive, energetic way. Thank ye very much fer yer support this eve, an' thank ye m'lord Fellows for a well-run debate.

After the debate was over, Chief Justicar and Governor of Minoc, Lady Tanda Knighthawke, announced that she would not be seeking re-election at end of her current term as chief justicar. Her statement below:
Effective the end of this election cycle February 24thI, Tanda Solstice Knighthawke, do hereby officially announce my retirement as chief justicar. I have chosen NOT to run for another term, instead to seek to fill my callings as Governor and Councilor of Minoc more fully.
It has been a great pleasure serving Britannia.
Tanda S. Knighthawke
A reminder to all that voting for the election starts at 8 PM CST Sunday Feb 22nd. Please see the election information page for details on how to vote and with who.