Imperial Tribune

Interview: Jean Carmichael on his retirement 06/03/2010

Geneva- As the Empire prepares to elect a new parliament, it is also saying farewell to one of it’s most distinguished statesmen. Jean Carmichael, MP from Ibelin, leader of the Liberal Party, and First Consul for most of the last year, announced on Wednesday that he was not seeking another term in Parliament. After that announcement, Mssr. Carmichael was gracious enough to sit down with the Tribune to talk about his future and that of the Empire

Tribune: Mssr. Carmichael,
Thank you for taking the time to talk with us today.
You announced on Wednesday that you would not be running for reelection to the Third Imperial Parliament, signaling an end to your tenure as both First Consul and as leader of the Alexandrian Liberal Party. What brought about this decision to retire from the “reigns of government”, so to speak?

Carmichael: Its a pleasure to talk the Tribune. Well, I think I’ve had my time to be honest. I’m not getting any younger and I think I’ve lead the Liberals for too long now. We need fresh energy in the party. Also, I simply don’t have the energy I used to in the Consular Office. Getting bogged down continuously in politicking with various others just simply wasn’t conducive to governing and I feel that that situation will only continue if I remained. I’m the figurehead of the Liberal movement and every Conservative’s favourite enemy. Its just simply not nice anymore and the thrill of serving the Empire wears thin in such a situation.

Tribune: What do you think will be your most enduring legacy as First Consul? as Liberal Party Leader?

Carmichael: I honestly don’t know. I know of the famous phrase that history will be kind to me for I intend to write it but I don’t really want to go into legacies and all that in Government. Saying that though, within the Liberal Party I think I’ll be remembered for getting it going! We moved away from the old AAP, a liberal-minded party, to a fully fledged and proper Liberal Party. I think I’ve made the Liberal Party used to governing and I certainly hope that legacy endures.

Tribune: Now that you will no longer be in parliament, what exactly will you be doing in retirement? Certainly you won’t be staying home and out of the public view.

Carmichael: I intend to do some business in the economy and perhaps go back to my old law firm. Being an MP has been a privilege as much as serving in the Government but I do want to rule out returning to the former. Parliament has been like a second home for me and I love the place but its time to move on to pastures new. If invited to, I’ll take up a position in Government but I would have to think long and hard about it. Everything in my retirement will depend on what the Empire does; I wouldn’t mind teaching at the University of Geneva if it starts again or other projects that the Emperor may invite me to do. I do intend to enjoy myself in retirement though.

Tribune: What issue(s) do you think should be the primary focus of the next parliament?

Carmichael: Electoral Reform will dominate certainly. We need a new electoral system and the Conservatives scuppered the last attempt for no reason other than party political manouevring. I didn’t and still don’t buy for a second their expressed reasons for voting down the Democracy and Elections Bill; the concerns they stated were addressed and they had no problems until the vote. Its even more telling if you look at their election manifesto that their proposals for electoral reform are nigh on the same. Apart from that though, further refinement of the economy is needed and the parties should be scrutinised on that. There is a National Defence Act draft I wrote in the Imperial Cabinet now and I expect that that will be placed before Parliament. Its nothing controversial though so I think it should garner cross-party support.

Tribune: Elections for your replacement as Party Leader will occur after the June 7th elections. Although you don’t know yet who your successor will be, do you have any advice for them? And for that matter, do you have any advice for those who will be in the next parliament, and for the next First Consul?

Carmichael: Well for the new Liberal Party leader I’d say listen to your party. Liberals don’t take kindly to the sort of whipping the Conservatives are used to and we’re a far more free party in that sense. I’d also say try and work with the Conservatives. They can be difficult but its better to have cross-party support for things rather than stringent party lines. For any successors at the Consular Palace I’d say that it revolves around 3 issues of trust; always trust the Emperor, trust Guy Ziegler and don’t place too much trust in Ministers! The Emperor’s a giant of a man in his knowledge of Alexandria and he tends to know what’s best for the Empire. The respect he garners from the micronational world will be useful in dealing with foreign nations as will his extensive knowledge of Micran affairs. Guy Ziegler is an administrative wonder and I genuinely do not think that I will have been able to cope as First Consul without his aid. Its a shame we’ve lost him to the Speakership for now, but hopefully an arrangement can be made so any new First Consul can have the Guy in a cabinet role of sorts. I think I should explain the Ministers point as well. My consularship was dogged by inactive Ministers with massive portfolios and I had to chop and change in both my administrations. If the First Consul takes the Minister of State position it will help but you need to pick your Ministers well. Oh and it helps to have a Parliamentary majority too!

Tribune: Well Mssr. Carmichael, thank you again for taking the time to have this interview with us. Is there anything else you’d like to tell the Tribune’s readers?

Carmichael: Just a simple thank you for the past year in the Consular Palace. Its been a pleasure to serve you all.