Application to join the Liberal Democrats (2 of 2)

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Victoria Penny
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Application to join the Liberal Democrats (2 of 2)

Post by Victoria Penny »

Second application for admission to the Liberal Democrats

Background
Dear admins,

Please consider this my application for the Liberal Democrats. I am sending this letter in response to Barclay's invitation to send a second application in, per his note in my sign in thread thus:
Please feel free to submit a new application or sign in to play as a Consertive or Labour Party member
My original application is attached here:
Application to join the Liberal Democrats
Sent: Mon Dec 14, 2020 12:29 am
From: Victoria Penny
Recipient: Barclay

Mr. Barclay,

Some ten years ago, perhaps closer to fifteen, I was an active players of this very game. Much has changed over the years for all of us, but my interest in the pursuit debate and discussion of policy is unwavering. I hope to return to this game not only as an active member, but as one who can lift up all who participate.

I recognize that with a limited player base, there can only be so much room for players within each party. I submit that my participation in the Liberal Democrats will inspire participation on all sides and ensure that the Liberal Democrats have a strong base of players but also engaging with players in the Conservative and Labour parties to make the most of the game for everyone.

I look forward to returning to PolUK. Thank you for considering my request and for all of your hard work. I look forward to hearing back from you and getting started!

Cheers,
V
In responses both public and private, I have inquired as to how to officially apply without guidance. I was then advised that the applications were closed. I was then advised to apply again in the most recent reply from Mr. Barclay. I am trying my best to follow along and understand but it appears that every time I post or try to ask a question, something changes. It is frustrating and honestly feels discriminatory given the circumstances of how all of this is unfolding.

I apologize for any misunderstandings on my part which have led to this point, however I want to play, just as all of you have. Remember the excitment of playing? Remember what it was like when you joined? I'm trying to have that moment right now, and it feels impossible, it feels like I'm being bullied and ridiculed for reasons beyond my understanding. I'm not one to cry, but this felt a lot like school and getting picked last for the sports team. Maybe you can't relate to that, maybe you can't, but it hurts a lot and is deeply personal to me.

You have a community, and I can imagine that it feels like someone who has no business being here is trying to demand their way in. I assure you that it has never been my intention, and I want to bridge the gap, not further divisions. That's why I'm trying to be vulnerable and explain where I am at. I also want to understand where you are at, please help me to understand. I am listening.

Application statement
It's an honour to be given another chance to apply to join the Liberal Democrats. Today, with more context and understanding, I feel more confident than before in my decision to join this party with your approval. The Liberal Democrats represent a massive part of the history that will be played, especially in the context of New Labour. I believe that a robust conversation between a government and opposition on progressive policies is an essential part of the player fabric to provide alternative to the Labour-Tory dichotemy. All in all, more debate and difference offers more opportunity and excitment for all who play the game.

In the old days, not only were all parties open, we also included representation from both factions of the Northern Irish country, as well as nationalist forces in PC and SNP - this is in addition to rounds that included other parties. These games managed robust engagement because of a primary factor: diversity. I believe that one additional voice in the LD benches, in this case, will pay dividends in terms of engagement and adding more interest to the game overall.

A limited player base challenges the above thinking, after all, what of government and opposition? My admission will strengthen both. I bring strong backgrounds in policy areas that will supplement the time, which is exactly my point, a team needs a base and the Liberal Democrats will be challenged to hold any real relevance with just a few players. A few players allows for zero wiggle room in engagement, it offers barely a role for the leader as much as the odd one out in a set of three. Diversity, teamplay, and accountability of the major parties suffers from not being admitted.

Finally, take my passion as real. I want to do this and I am ready to do this. I will wait my turn if that is what you believe is the only way in, I will follow the process you lay out no matter how unfair or unwritten it may be. I will do so because I am committed to doing my best. I promise to do my best and to work with you and all players in integrating into this game. Please allow me this opportunity. Thank you for your mercy and empathy.

Below I have attached the Maiden Speech which I would like to use for this character, please review it as part of my application to give you a sense of the type of player which I will be.

Maiden speech (Gracious reply to the Queen's Speech, 1997)
Mr. Speaker,

It is an honour to stand before you in this chamber as the elected member of parliament for Portsmouth South. From Lord Nelson’s shores on the Solent, I bring you greetings from the land we call “Pompey”. My constituents deserve every credit for my arrival in this place, it is they who placed their trust in me for the vision we together crafted and aimed to achieve, one that we bring with us to the halls of Westminster.

Our vision is one of freedom, fairness, and opportunity for those in the forgotten corners of Britain, places like Portsmouth. While Labour and Tories fight over who can abandon their ideals best, people are left behind as investments in people are passed up over breaks for the favoured few. In communities like mine, single parents tell me of choosing between paying the rent and putting food on the table. When I walk down Albert Road, why do I see veterans begging? Could it perhaps be because those who have served their nation have been served in return? This government has promised big things for the people in Portsmouth and across our great nation. I can only hope that the winds of change do not die so suddenly and that the promise of “new” means, in fact, new approach to old problems – although it appears that the opposite may be true. Nonetheless, allow me to congratulate this new government and welcome all members new and old alike. My wish is thus: let this be a place of collaboration and openness. May we put our past behind us so that we may drive toward a brighter future, a brighter Britain.

My election here is historic as the first woman, person of colour, and Liberal Democrat to be elected to represent Portsmouth South. Our constituency is changing rapidly and my election shows the emerging face of our beautiful, historic, waterfront city. I am proud of the change that we have achieved, but my election is only the beginning. Together, in this election, the people of Pompey chose a representative that believes in a different kind of politics.

Mr. Speaker, today we consider a gracious speech from Her Majesty outlining the priorities of a new government. Let us remember that this is the first time in a long time that a new party has been handed with the trust of forming a government. In another sense, Mr. Speaker, it is our first chance to right the wrongs of so many years of Tory ineptitude and malice for the British public. My friends in Labour will remember standing for the working people of Britain during the tough years of Thatcher, brought along further by a fledgling Major adminisitration that has doubled down on the enriching the wealthiest elites on the backs of the working poor. Today, Mr. Speaker, is our chance to undo the wrongs of the past. We can protect workers again with better wages, on the job safety and skills training, and investments in the public sector to deliver for the needs of all Britons. We can embrace a new foreign policy of cooperation and expansion of economic opportunity over an insecure world-policing philosophy. We can finally say that we believe in science, in the changing climate, and in the need to conserve wild areas for the enjoyment of generations to come. We can finally give Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland a voice and the dignity to determine their affairs as part of a cooperative and united nation, our United Kingdom. Mr. Speaker, after the dark days of Tory government it is now, right here and right now, that we have the opportunity to turn a new leaf.

I had hope that Labour would hold to its ideals and fight for the working families of the UK in every corner of this country. Instead the party believed that the nations political problem had nothing to do with policy and everything to do with branding. The Prime Minister and his Chancellor made a decision to back a tory budget in their manifesto committing to the priorities of a government that they once swore to oppose at every road. How far we have come from that party. Where have my brothers and sisters in Labour disappeared to? Mr. Speaker, I think what has happened is that Labour crossed the floor not only to form government, but to fill the shoes of their predecessors. It is not for lack of a mandate Mr. Speaker, it's because New Labour means Sold old. Same old. Only New Labour could prioritize tax cuts for the top earners while the minimum wage goes ignored. Only New Labour could advocate for restraint in spending while health care and education are stretched at the seams, and people die and fall through the cracks. We have sqaundered our chance to get things right. Once again, Britons will pay for the political calculations made at 10 Downing Street.

Back home in Portsmouth, my constituents held hope that this speech, this opportunity, would be different. Our needs are real, Mr. Speaker, and they are vital to the survival of our community.

Veterans in Portsmouth are not just numbers, they're real people who deserve our care and attention. It has been said that societies should be judged on how they treat their most vulnerable, I would posit that a better criteria would be to judge societies based upon how they treat their veterans. If that were the standard of the previous government, the grade would be incomplete, because the record can hardly be judged based upon the lack of investment in veterans, in their care, and in the communities that they live in. If we can build the greatest Navy in the history of the world and base it in Pompey, then we can give our naval veterans in Pompey the very best treatment in the world. Let us stand together, Mr. Speaker, to support our veterans and give a hand up to those great patriots who have been abandoned for far too long.

As we turn toward the future, I plead with this government not to forget the people who put them – and all of us – into office. Britain faces real issues that need bold leadership. As the Prime Minister and his cabinet chart the course forward, I ask them to consider where we will be in four years time. How many hospitals will be shut down as a result lower investment? How many people will lose their jobs? To what degree will economic inequality grow? These are not the questions that we should be asking under any government, let alone a Labour one. I will vote against Her Majesty’s speech because there is no humanity within it, there is no hope, there is no future that Britons can find themselves in under the goals outlined in this speech. I am not closing the door to collaborating for the a better Britain, but Mr. Speaker, I am standing on the principles that resulted in my election in solidarity with my constituents.

Mr. Speaker, I wish our new government well despite our differences and look forward to the years ahead as we strive to find new paths forward to the old challenges still facing our Great Britain.
Why a second application?
  • No rules specified a close to the Liberal Democrats
  • An application was submitted per the rules
  • The player followed all posted rules for character creation and acceptance and wants to work with the admins to make amends without altering the integrity of the character
  • The player was invited to make another application by Barclay
In short, all posted rules have been followed and there are no guidances that would suggest an application would not be approved and if so, at least some reason could be given regarding the application as opposed to retroactively deciding that things should have changed before they actually did. In either case, the admin Barclay invited a second application to join. Thank you for the opportunity.

tl;dr
  • I apologize for any misunderstanding(s) on my part.
  • I will abide by the results of the LibDem leadership election and accept that I am not able to participate, I will support the leader fully
  • My application is above and responds to Admin @Barclay's invitation to submit a second application to join the Liberal Democrats
  • My first application has not received feedback, I do not have any official application guidance so please accept that I am trying my best to provide information based on what I am trying to decipher. If you would like to ask specific questions, I will address those.
  • I will join the Discord to support the game
  • I ask that rules around joining parties be more clearly stated to avoid future confusion, I further ask that rules and information about Discord be created to direct players to it
  • I will work with you to fix any tensions or misunderstandings
  • I will work to help build a "new player" guide to help sort out any issues as a volunteer contributor
  • I have created a full player biography with additional information to support my characters
  • I have attached my Maiden Speech for approval
Conclusion
I sincerely thank each of you for your time. I hope that this application satisfies any requirements and considerations that you will take into account. I appreciate your taking the time to deliberate and make a decision.

Kindly,
Victoria Penny
Member of Parliament, Portsmouth South
Liberal Democrat
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Victoria Penny
Posts: 13
Joined: Mon Dec 14, 2020 7:36 am
Constituency: Portsmouth South
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Re: Application to join the Liberal Democrats (2 of 2)

Post by Victoria Penny »

In the interest of transparency, I've posted this. I am not accepting the invitation to join another party at this time and will continue to wait.
Victoria Penny
Member of Parliament, Portsmouth South
Liberal Democrat
User avatar
Victoria Penny
Posts: 13
Joined: Mon Dec 14, 2020 7:36 am
Constituency: Portsmouth South
XP: 0
Trait(s): None

Re: Application to join the Liberal Democrats (2 of 2)

Post by Victoria Penny »

This process is completely flawed if the above application warrants the dismissive, racist response that I received from Barclay.
Victoria Penny
Member of Parliament, Portsmouth South
Liberal Democrat
User avatar
Barclay A.A. Stanley
Posts: 249
Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2020 1:26 pm
Constituency: Macclesfield
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Discord username: @BarclayCalhoun#5933

Re: Application to join the Liberal Democrats (2 of 2)

Post by Barclay A.A. Stanley »

Victoria,

Thank you for your application to play as a Liberal Democrat at the beginning of the 2001 round. We enjoyed reading the application. At this time, however, the A-Team has determined that three players is enough to begin the round for the third party and, since there are currently three active Lib Dem players, we regretfully have to decline your application to play as a Liberal Democrat. Furthermore, as per the custom of PolUK, we do not usually allow new players (or those whose experience is unknown to us) to join third parties as these are smaller, specialized parties which require experience and skill to play. Whereas I asked for your previous experience and you were unable to provide it, I believe you fall into this camp as well.

We invite you to join either the Conservative Party or the Labour Party. Both have centrist options to be played in this time period: the Conservatives have the Tory Reform Group who, typically, are more to the left of social issues, while the Labour Party has the Blairite group, which is to the right on economic issues. Either would make a fine home for you, and both have players of great experience who would be prepared to help re-acquaint you with PolUK and bring you up to speed on what may have changed since you were last with us.

Please accept my deepest welcome to PolUK. I look forward to you playing the game and to seeing what you can bring to the table.

Yours,

Barclay for the A-Team.
Lt. Col. Sir Barclay A.A. Stanley, Rtd., KBE
Member of Parliament for Macclesfield

Armed with nothing but a pint of gin, Sir Barclay went to battle against the forces of Communism, Socialism, and Liberalism.
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