Hi Steve
glad you like it. I am trying to get around to sculpting the VCs from the Charge of the Light Brigade but have been sidetracked by some more current Mess Dress busts, some male and some female officers.
ah, the election. i hope you are sitting comfortably, you may regret asking. The actual election went fine, 38 people were elected, in general I am pretty happy, there are only about 6 I would prefer not to have been elected. They and take office tomorrow And their first action will be on Friday; to elect the President of the Policy & Resource Committee, equivalent to your Treasury department.
we have an unusual form of government, a consensus rather than executive form. Most policy is determined by the relevant committee; Education, Social Services, Health, Environment, Economic development and Home, only refering to our parliament for the annual budget and major policy changes. For instance our parliament will determine the structure of secondary education, 11+or not, and through the capital allication process the number of secondary schools, but the education committee will determine curriculum and implement the main policy, creating any underlying policies as needed. The committees will also priorities their new policy development and implementation - like everywhere there is not enough money to do everything.
Each Committee has 5 members who all have an equal vote. The President of each committee has no authority Over the other committee members, nor to unilaterally bind the Committee or make decisions, all authority rests in the committee - theother 4 can outvote the President. Policy & Resources is classed as the 'senior' committee because if is responsible for creating and monitoring budgets and co-ordinating policy but does not have any actual control over other committees. The President of Policy & Resources is seen as the 'Cheif Minister' or most senior politician,but has no actual power, other than what his other 4 committee members allow him.
So, on Friday the President of Policy & Rescources will be elected; on Monday the 4 members of P&R will be elected,on Wednesdaythe Presidents of the Committees will be elected, and of Thursday The members of the committees will be elected. Only then will we have a clear view of what the government will actually be like.
it soundss really complex and messy, but with the right people it should mean that the government steers a middle course and not veer off too far to the left or right.
Phew! Well, you did ask!!!
peter
