2017 Parliamentary Election

372 seats - 187 for a majority

## Background

Between 2014 and 2017 the Sheaman economy had been flourishing and inflation rates were at the lowest point since the mid 90s. The inflation rate in 2014 was at 0.1%, 0.6% in 2015 and 0.6% in 2016 and the C&U party was widely praised for keeping the economy under control. The war in Greater Lady Duffs, although no battles had gone on since summer 2013, had become a massive issue in Sheaman politics and the C&U party was called on to resolve the issue very soon as ever more frequently the L'Doufean government became tired of no ending to the conflict and began threatening to end the armistice.

On the 9th of December 2014 a bombing took place in New Kensington Square , Martoen, Greater Shriel. The Attack costed 20 people their lives and 5 casualties and another attack took place on the 5th of May 2015 that killed 32 people and 14 people were wounded whom all died later. The attack took place in Joseph's Park in central Northern Shriel and led to current Prime Minister, Hazel Willow to increase the threat level in the country believing it necessary to be more cautious due to the rise of terrorism in the country. The most recent attack took place on the 9th of January 2017 and was the most devastating terrorist attack in Sheaman history. Three Planes were hijacked at 14:30 with the pilots all killed and began heading towards the Grand Complex in the Southern City of Shriel but at the same time a bomb went off at the Coloras Commercial Center in the Southern City of Shriel that killed 20 people and injured 40 others. That bomb was part of the same hijacking plan and soon only half an hour later the three Planes suicide bombed into the Grand Complex killing 800 people and injuring over 1,000. The Prime Minister and its government were mostly blamed for the terrorist attack and opinion polls dropped over night for the party.

The election was called early most likely because current Prime Minister, Hazel Willow, most likely expected an even better majority for the government but when asked by "The Observer" why she called the election when it was not due until 2018 next year she replied saying, "The country and its people want their voices heard and under these circumstances i want to make sure that this government retains a powerful majority to lead us through these next four years and keep a stable government in power."

## Campaign

### Issues

#### 2nd Tedusian War

The war in Tedesu had been going on since 2009 and was continuing to tire the nation and SGLR now proposed that the country officially end the war and offer an independence referendum to the Tedusian government. SGLR believed that the war had gone on long enough and proposed that an independence referendum would be given to Tedesu to allow them to decided their fate. The C&U party criticized the idea that they should "surrender to them" and also criticized SGLR whilst in government for not allowing Tedesu an independence referendum and even dismissing the issue entirely saying that their actions contradicted their voice. This time around Progressive & Democrats leader believed that the war in Tedesu had gone on long enough and for the first time they wanted to offer Tedesu independence if they were elected however they did join C&U by criticizing SGLR for not acting upon what they said this election.

#### Taxes

The current tax rates since 2015 are; Minimum Rate 13% (£30,000SH-£84,999SH), Medium Rate, 28% (£85,000SH-£164,999SH), Higher Rate, 42% (£165,000SH-329,999SH), Additional Rate, 46% (£330,000SH-799,000SH) and Wealthiest Rate, 50% (£800,000SH+). The C&U party gave no promises to not raise tax rates and the Deputy Prime Minister said "The party is willing to to lower taxes but currently we see it fit to instead raise public spending and invest in other opportunities so we will just have to see what the future brings us." Luthando Kuran said "We plan to increase taxes for the Wealthiest Rate, the Additional Rate & the Higher Rate of taxes and we want to greatly increase public spending in the government."

#### Security & Terrorism

Terrorism had significantly increased in the past three years with the country's biggest and most fatal terrorist attack happening on the 9th of January and thus became a much bigger issue in politics. The C&U party promised to tighten security in the country, increase police spending and to create a Minister for Terrorism. P&D didn't add too much to their manifesto on Terrorism but Luthando Kuran stated that "The Conservative & Unionists aren't doing anything to combat terrorism and really their reign should be put to an end." S&L pledged to greatly reform the security in the country, including tougher restrictions to enter the country, stronger border security and more checks whilst entering Sheaman.

#### Economy & Industry

P&D promised to re-nationalize all railways in the country believing it would ensure the government could keep the railways in safe hands and not owned by companies. P&D wanted to keep business with former ANSEC members high and wanted to increase Business Visas and wanted to ensure that it wouldn't be too difficult to get into Sheaman or former ANSEC nations. The C&U on the other hand accused P&D of not respecting the referendum in 2014 to leave ANSEC by continuing to keep close ties with former ANSEC countries.

#### Workers' Rights & Social Care

P&D promised to increase the national minimum wage from 11.00SH to 13.50SH and they wanted to ban unpaid internships. The C&U party did not give much in the space of worker rights leaving P&D with the most favorable offer for voters.

The C&U party wanted to increase pensions for old people but not figure was given to the amount that the party wanted to increase it by. P&D wanted to add a new program that would fund those between 16 and 21 in buying a house for the first time. Randus Jade (MP), gave this idea to Luthando Kuran or the manifesto and stated that "So many young people nowadays cannot afford proper housing some have to save up so much money to buy a new house and by that point the housing market has crashed so this new policy will 100% help those in need of housing."

## Results

Although C&U was expected to either barely win a majority or barely win a minority they instead won way more seats than expected. They won 203 seats which is a loss of 12 seats since the last election in 2014. P&D got less seats than expected, winning only 85 seats meant that the party had gained 28 seats since the last election and their 2nd best election in the party's electoral history. S&L won 28 seats which was an increase of 12 seats since the last election and party leader, Susan Monroe gave a statement saying that she believed that she could bring the party back to the glory of Joseph Jacks. SGLR lost 2 seats since the last election which was much better than the expected loss of between 8-11 seats. SOCS, RMN & FEP lost seats since the last election, PAR & AFS both gained since the last election specifically AFS which won 1 seat in the last election but this election won 10 seats.