National Union Coalition

**Formerly:**

* Anti-Richmondism

**Formerly**:

* NLPL

The **National Union Coalition** is a liberal conservative political and electoral alliance in Southambia. It was formed by Leonard Godsforth and Vincent Chauveau, leaders of the Populists and Unionist Parties respectively. The National Liberal Progressive League would later join the coalition after the 84;2E Southambian Council Election and would remain in the coalition until its dissolution in early 107;2E. The NUC was founded to prevent the reelection of the pro-Loyalist National Federalist Party led by Zacharias Richmond, however it would remain active long after Richmond's death and the PNF's dissolution. Since 107;2E, the NUC became the strongest advocate of monarchism in Southambia. The NUC currently consists of the Populists Party, the Unionist Party, and the United Democratic Party.

## History

### Roots

The National Union Coalition is heavily inspired by prior coalitions that have existed throughout Southambia's history with the Unionist Party being part of most prior coalitions.

### Founding

The National Union Coalition was formed on 2 Old Earth 83;2E with 25 delegates from both the Populists and Unionist parties participating in the coalition's founding document signing. In the coalition's first election in 84;2E, it won 23 of 107 seats. The National Liberal Progressive League would become a member of the coalition after the election.

## Political Profile

### Member Parties

#### Populists Party

The Populists Party (*Luari*: *Parti Populiste*, *Astellian*: *Partido Populista*, Slovan: *Партія популістів*) is the current leading party and one of two founding members of the National Union Coalition. It was founded in 76;2E by Leonard Godsforth III. The Populists Party is generally considered to be a big-tent political party, however many of its policies suggests it leans in the centre-right of the political spectrum. Its founder, Leonard Godsforth, was generally considered to be more conservative than most of the party, although he did compromise with the more moderate factions of the party.

#### Unionist Party

The Unionist Party (*Luari*: *Parti Unioniste*, *Astellian*: *Partido Unionista*, Slovan: *Юніоністська партія*) is one of two founding members of the National Union Coalition. It was founded in 29FE, and remains the oldest active political party in Southambian history. The Unionist Party is generally recognised as the most moderate party of the National Union Coalition with some suggesting it to be on the centre-left of the political spectrum because of its endorsement of more liberal policies.

#### United Democratic Party

The United Democratic Party (*Luari*: *Parti démocratique uni*, *Astellian*: *Partido Democrático Unido*, Slovan: *Об’єднана Демократична Партія*) is a national conservative political party formed from the merger of the National Democratic and People's Democratic Parties. It became a member of the National Union Coalition nearing the end of 107;2E when its leader, Philibert Laframboise signed a deal with the Populists Party to endorse monarchism in its party platform. The United Democratic Party is the most conservative party of the National Union Coalition.

### Platform

#### Monarchism

At the time of the coalition's establishment, it did not endorse monarchism in its party platform. However, following the end of the magistracy of Leonard Godsforth, the *Forward!* bloc was established with many members of the NUC joining it. Following the passage of the Constitution Act of 107;2E, the NUC officially added monarchism to its coalition platform after Godsforth was elected to become the King of Southambia by the 107;2E Constitutional Convention. Outside of the NUC, the Unionist Party was the first to add monarchism to its own party platform, followed by the Populists Party, and then the United Democratic Party upon its entrance in the NUC.

This support for monarchism would lead to the National Union Coalition's divide however as many members from the Populists, Unionist, and United Democratic Parties would defect to form the National Front, a strictly pro-republican political party. Since the National Front's founding in late 107;2E, many members of the NUC defected to join the National Front, especially in provinces where the Stotfordian population is the majority, and in the eastern provinces, where residents heavily oppose the monarchy referendum.

#### Conservatism

The National Union Coalition was founded on the basis of liberal conservatism and opposition to Loyalist thought. However, despite its endorsement of liberal conservatism, the National Liberal Progressive League would join the coalition, forming the centre-left and progressive wing of the NUC. The NLPL would eventually dissolve in 107;2E leading to the Unionist Party becoming the centre-left most wing of the NUC. When the United Democratic Party entered into the coalition, it formed the right-most wing of the coalition.

All current members of the NUC endorse conservatism in their party platforms.

#### Economics

The National Union Coalition endorses private enterprise and monetary exchange of goods in its coalition platform. It also endorses economic regulation by enforcing mandatory safety inspections, days off during religious, cultural, or national holidays, and equal opportunities for employment.

#### Religion

While the National Union Coalition's platform explicitly supports separation of church and state, many influential members of the coalition support further endorsement of the church (e.g. Édouard Vidal, Vincent Chauveau). The overall membership of the National Union Coalition and its member parties are split on further endorsing the Church of Southambia, or supporting more separation of church and state.

#### Provincial Rights

The National Union Coalition endorses federalism in its coalition platform. The strongest proponent of federalism in the NUC is the Populists Party, which first began to advocate for stronger federalism and provincial rights following the formation of the National Federalist Party (which despite itis name, supported unitarianism).

## Notes

1. ↑ Luari: *Coalition de l'unité nationale*