[reds1]

February 25, 1950

CONSERVATIVES SWEEP INTO POWER
Braeland Witnesses First Change in Government since Restoration of Monarchy


Parliament Building in Braeland City

WELLINGTON, Feb. 25 (BP) – Shouting ‘We want Wes!’, Tory supporters thronged the main ballroom of Wellington’s Ellice Hotel late Friday evening, imploring Braeland’s new Prime Minister-designate, Wesley Bryans, to appear and address the jubilant crowd. It was a cry that seemed to sum up the mood of the country, as yesterday’s election saw the Liberal Government under Sir Douglas Avery swept from power after nearly 15 years of continuous rule. For the first time since the Monarchy was restored back in 1935, a new Government and Prime Minister will be sworn in.

Tories Ride Voter Discontent, Populist Message to Stunning Victory

Bryans ran a successful, vigorous campaign, one that immediately pounced on the political stumbles made by the Liberals over the past few years. Pointing to the trade debacle with Australia and the government’s vacillation on whether to join the United Nations, the Conservatives repeatedly attacked the Avery government as to having mismanaged the country’s economy and compromising Braeland’s international reputation. Throughout the campaign, Bryans promised to immediately pump up the economy, improve relations with its trading partners, and apply for admittance to the United Nations. It was a message that resonated with the Country, as the Liberals trailed heavily in the polls right from the start of the campaign and never caught up.

The victory was particularly sweet after their disheartening loss four and half years ago, when the Conservatives were confident that their time had come. But the Tories’ initial cautious approach to the campaign and the boost the incumbent Liberal government received from the Allied victory in the recently concluded Second World War proved too much to overcome, and the Conservatives’ message failed to catch on. They had no such problem this time around. Heeding the lessons learned from the last election, Wesley Bryans and his campaign team seized the momentum right from the get-go and never let-up their attack on the vulnerable Liberals. With nearly all the polling stations in the Western Provinces having reported at press time, the Conservatives’ triumph is complete, garnering nearly 45% of the popular vote and a 34-seat majority in the new parliament.

Just before midnight, his supporters got their wish when an ebullient Wesley Bryans with his wife Joanne by his side took the podium to acknowledge the crowd. After a sustained applause and cheering, Bryans was finally allowed to speak.

“Tonight, our great country has voted for change. Braelanders have asked our party to take the lead in delivering that change. We will honour that message.”

• The Conservatives’ Victory – What Does it Mean for Braeland? – See page 2.

• Your New Prime Minister – What You Need to Know – See page 2.

Parliament Sees Return of Three Official Parties

Not since the days of the Free Republic Party and before the Republican seizure of power back in 1908, has Parliament hosted three official political parties to represent the country. Established in 1942, the United Labour Party has gained official party status, as it saw its representation rise from just two seats in the previous Parliament to a projected 13 seats, one more than the required minimum. Party Leader Edgar Runyan, who easily won re-election in Wolseley’s Centerville riding, is expected to be joined by 12 other members, once the mandatory re-counts in a couple of close races are completed.

Beaming from ear-to-ear, Mr. Runyan took the podium at Party Headquarters in Wolseley and acknowledged his ecstatic supporters and party members. The room erupted in cheers and laughter as he declared, “Well, we’re here – and we’re not going away!” That statement was in clear reference to an off-the-cuff remark made by a frustrated Douglas Avery towards the end of the second Leadership Debate held in Queensland back on February 2. Exasperated at Mr. Runyan’s repeated questioning of the Government’s mishandling of the controversial trade agreement with Australia that saw relations between the two countries deteriorate after Braeland reneged on major portions of the deal, Avery rebuked Runyan by asking “Why don’t you just go away?” Although it was not picked up by microphones broadcasting the debate via radio, the comment was made within earshot of numerous reporters in attendance. With the Liberals working feverishly to try and stem the Conservatives’ surging popularity, the remark could not have come at a worse time, with three weeks remaining in the campaign. Whether the Prime Minister actually said those words mattered little to Braelanders, as the comment seemed to sum up the perceived arrogance of the Liberal government.

• The United Labour Party – Here to Stay? – See page 4.

Avery Announces Resignation as Liberal Leader

The mood was much more somber at the Viscount Hotel in Cobourg where Liberal supporters had clung to the hope that their Party could still hold onto power, even if only as a minority government. But as the evening wore on and the results from the Western States came in, it became clear that the Tory juggernaut was just too much to overcome. Still, Sir Douglas Avery was met with cheers by his supporters even as he and his family took the stage to acknowledge the obvious and concede defeat. Avery began by thanking his wife and children for their support and reflected on his time in office since 1935.

“It has been an unbelievable honour to have served Braelanders for nearly 15 years. We gave everything we had to give and we have no regrets whatsoever. The disappointment you feel tonight is my responsibility and mine alone. But rest assured; when the next time comes, this party will offer Braelanders a strong and clear choice and be ready to serve this great country when it is called upon to do so.

“I have spoken to Mr. Bryans and congratulated him on his victory and to give my full assurance to work with him on a smooth transition. I have also notified our Party President of my intention to step down as party leader immediately and for him to advise the newly elected parliamentary caucus to appoint an Interim Leader as soon as possible. Thank you again friends for your support.”

The sudden announcement of his stepping down as Party Leader was met with gasps from the audience. Not only as it was unexpected, but for many, the Liberal Party and Sir Avery have been one and the same. However, the outgoing Prime Minister was silent as to whether he would continue to sit in Parliament or resign his seat immediately, as he was comfortably re-elected in his riding of Cobourg-New Havens.

• Douglas Avery – His Legacy and Missteps – See page 3.

• Where Does the Liberal Party Go From Here? – See page 3.

New Government to be Sworn in “Without Delay”

With Sir Douglas Avery expected to officially tender his resignation within the next couple of days, the new government will be sworn in once the Prime Minister-designate has appointed his Cabinet. In his victory speech, Mr. Bryans promised to do so “without delay”. What those words exactly meant is not clear. But Phillip Cain, Professor of Political Science at the King Hugh University in Balmoral, says that Braelanders can expect the new government to sworn in within the next couple of weeks. “Selecting members for a completely new Cabinet is never an easy task, so I don’t anticipate an announcement being made for at least another week. But once the nominations have been made, a formal invitation from King William will be offered to Mr. Byrans to form a new Government and then both he and his Cabinet members will be sworn in at Kemsley Palace.”