Liberal-Conservative Party (Velkanian Isles)

The **Liberal-Conservative Party** (Velkanian: *Frjálslyndi-Íhaldsflokkurinn*, **FÍF**; Framish: *Liberal-Konservativa Partiet*, **LKP**) is a liberal conservative and Christian democratic political party in the Velkanian Isles. Since 2014, the party has been the largest in the Orthing. It is a Velkanian affiliate of the Eurean People's Party.

The party was formed on 28 September 1965, following the gradual disintegration of the anti-independence Unionist Party of the Velkanian Duchy after the restoration of Velkanian independence in 1964. After its formation, the party abandoned its anti-independence roots, instead becoming a coalition of the center-right from both the anti-independence and pro-independence factions.

## Political positions

The party is described as both liberal conservative and Christian democratic. Originally a liberal conservative party, the party began to shift towards Christian democracy in the 21st-century, under the leadership of Heinrekur Jón Jónsson and Sif María Vilhjálmardattir. Most members of the party are described as blending liberal conservatism with Christian democracy, although some lean more towards one or the other.

The party supports the Velkanian Isles' anti-militarism, believing that a military force is unnecessary due to the nation's size and location. They additionally support immigration to the Velkanian Isles, in addition to allowing for refugees, although the party stresses that immigrants must be "thoroughly vetted" prior to and "assimilated" upon arrival.

### Economic policy

Most of the party devotes itself to protecting the free market and *laissez-faire* economic policies. They believe that economic freedom is conductive to prosperity and a fair society more than redistributive or regulatory policies are. Because of this, the party typically opposes heavy taxation, restrictions on spending, and big business regulations. According to the party, self-regulation, responsibility, and competition should dictate the actions of individuals' spending rather than government policy. This liberal conservative faction of the party stands for simple tax codes, low taxation, and easing regulations, in addition to opposing deficit spending and wide levels of bureaucracy.

Since the emergence of Christian democracy within the party, some members have instead become more open to government regulations, primarily to help immigrants and the less fortunate. While these proposed regulations are minor and pale in comparison to left-wing parties, they are still a clear shift from the purely liberal conservative bloc of the party.

### Social policy

The party believes that individual liberty should be preserved in most circumstances, although state interference is necessary when it comes to some issues, in order to preserve a degree of morality. Since the 21st-century, the party has begun to support some socially liberal positions such as supporting same-sex marriage and adoption rights, although the party still remains conservative when it comes to issues such as abortion rights. The Christian democratic faction of the party remains more socially conservative than the liberal conservative faction, primarily divulging on abortion rights and transgender rights.

The party opposes the legalization or decriminalization of drugs, believing that drug usage is a sickness that should be condemned, not encouraged. They support prison sentences for frequent drug-related offenders, in addition to having a strong police force. Regarding education, the party believes that each state should continue to set their own educational standards. The party supports the current Frankish healthcare system, where individuals are automatically enrolled in the Velkanian national healthcare plan, although they may opt-into private healthcare if they choose to. The party strongly opposes abolishing private healthcare, believing that it goes against the free market and that those with the ability to pay more should receive better quality care, like in any other industry.

### Foreign policy

The party supports strong relations with Eurea, including especially strong relations with Laposcandia. Initially, most members of the party were opposed to Velkanian independence, although this issue is now a moot point in Velkanian politics.