Vote Now

The South Pacific decides...On Half a Government!..

The polling booths have been open now for just over 3 days and a steady trickle of voters have been seen milling around the Town Hall...But they have only been able to vote for 3 candidates out of a possible 5 as there are no candidates for MoR (Minister of the Region) & MoFA (Minister of Foreign Affairs)...

Our exit poll seems to suggest that candidates Geomania (Minister of Security), Eastwales (Minister of Justice) and Kloister (Prime Minister), all seeking re-election, will be successful...SPOTs intrepid reporting team garnered the following comments...

'I really expected a bigger turnout.'
'I almost got knocked over by that tumbleweed over there.'
'Oh! Is that what we were voting for. I thought we were finally going to be rid of Conrad Crooner, the rubbish one from the reality TV show'...

With the results of the election seemingly not in doubt, the attention has turned towards the Delegate and who she will nominate to fill the vacant positions...It is unlikely that Caer Rialis and Tsrill will be tempted to resume their duties, as both have stressed a strong desire to step down from Cabinet for the short while, at least...

Attention will almost surely be on those members that have served in Cabinet before and are currently in a position to accept the call to serve...Mavenu, Htz3, KingJ, DickvanDyke, ParrrrTay and Polkstreet are names heading the list...

The newly formed government will surely have to address the clearly apparent apathy towards politics and democracy in TSP...Will this resurrect the calls for a move away from the constitutional monarchy style of government towards more of an authoritarianist dictatorship...

It's only going to get more interesting...Stay tuned to SPOT for the best news coverage...

PM Calls For Candidates

Lack of Candidates Forces PM's Hand...

With just one day remaining of the election campaigning period, Kloister, Prime Minister for the region has made a plea to members, encouraging their participation...

This election is proving to be a clear sign of the apathy surrounding public service in the region...Obviously the Prime Minister feels that such a situation cannot remain unaddressed...

'Not only do we currently have the MoR & MoFA without candidates, there is no competition for the candidacy to become PM, MoJ & MoS...A highly undesirable situation...'

There were also moves to address the feelings within some quarters of the region that the Cabinet was a closed shop and operated in a 'clique' environment...

'Government is not a closed shop...It is open to all...'

So will the Prime Minister's comments turn the tide and make this election a success...The jury is still out on that one...

In other news, the non-governmental position has seen its usual stalwart candidate declare their intent...CurlyHoward, known throughout TSP & NS for their madcap antics and wacky TV show is standing once again for re-election...

A Chat with Geo...

Geomania The South Pacific's Defence Minister takes a few moments away from his clandestine operations to answer our questions...

What have you enjoyed most about your time in Government?..

The hard work. You really have to apply yourself, and if you don't give it your all, nobody will allow you to continue in the South Pacific government.

What is it about the security of the region that drives you?..

Without intelligence or an army, how could the SP protect herself? The security of the region is the best way to assure that we will not be conquered by outside elements. You have your standard swapper, and then you have the knowledge that a feeder is always on the Christmas wishlists of crasher organizations. Needless to say, it is imperative that the DSP and SP intelligence remains active.

Does the current lack of candidates concern you?..

Yes, it does. But it doesn't surprise me. It is a reflection of the overall cascade of inactivity in NS.

Tell us something interesting about Geomania?..

Geomania is a melting pot of Greek immigrants and oceanic island natives. They co-exist, intermingle, and flourish on a small island chain approximately 140 miles northeast of New Zealand.

Are there any changes to policy that you will be working on should you win this election?..

To be frank, I believe the Ministry of Intelligence has been lacking. Now that the DSP has leadership other than myself (General Napieria and Deputy Minister Lord Kitchener), I may be able to shift my focus to Intelligence.

Where do you stand on the issue of the evil fuzzy bunnies?..

I enjoy fuzzy bunnies immensely, but I cannot deal with them if they are evil


Many thanks to Geo and we wish him all the best for the upcoming election...

Candidate In The Running...

Eastwales...Sacraficial Lamb?..

The dribble of declarations of intent continue, with Eastwales, the incumbant Minister of Justice, placing himself once more before the electorate...

The long serving Minister has developed a reputation for quietly going about the necessary business...Speaking earlier to a crowded press conference Eastwales stated...'My prefered method of operation being that the MoJ is a tool for he members of this region to use if they feel they need to resort to mediation or ruling. Other than that I do not believe the Moj should be seen!!'...

We are hoping that Eastwales will be able to join us for a little chat later on this week...

The movers and shakers will obviously be glad to see another candidate putting themselves in the running, but now with half of the campaigning period gone, only 3 out of the 5 ministerial positions having candidates and all being unchallenged, it would be hard not to predict not only the outcome but also that the whole election could be a damp squib...If this continues then the leaders of the region are going to have their work cut out in raising the profile of future elections and securing the freedoms of democracy...

SPOT have been requested by Kloister, Prime Minister of TSP, to encourage all members to consider running for election in particular...'The voting is all well and good, but not if there is no-one to actually vote for...Please let us avoid the empty ballot...'

A Chat With Caer Rialis

The indomitable Caer Rialis joins SPOT for a brief chat...

In taking the decision to step down from public service, Caer Rialis brings to an end a run of almost constant servitude running from the summer of 2004...The Cabinet journeyman answers just a few of our questions...

As one time Delegate of TSP, how would you say the region is currently shaping up?..

As a former Delegate, I have to say that TSP is running as it always has. New members join, old members fade away. We have good people here, the best. When people are down on things, real-life wise, we help provide some comfort, which is a bit of what we should do.

Have you enjoyed your recent time in government and will you miss it?..

I will miss time in government, but its time for me to take a break. I’ve been involved in government since . . . errrr, summer 2004. This last term has been a killer for me, dealing with issues of the invision melt-down, among other things.

What are your reasons for not standing for re-election?..

I need a break. LOL See the comment above

What would you see as your greatest accomplishment during your tenure as MoFA?..

I think it’s trying to keep things running smoothly. My responsibilities were spread very thin this last term, so I didn’t spend as much time doing Foreign Affairs stuff as I most likely should.

What are your plans for the future?..

To relax and enjoy. I have some rp ideas in my head. One’s working out now (shameless plug), the other may come along in a bit.

Any wise words of counsel for your successor?..

Listen to the people of the region and act on that. Keep the good of the region in mind at all times. Last, but not least, enjoy yourself

Thanks to CR for taking the time out of his hectic pre-retirement schedule...We wish him all the best for his future endeavours and hope that the vacation serves him well...

We have much more coverage of the Elections to come...Stay tuned...

Candidate Concern...

4 Days + 2 Candidates = Cabinet Concern...

It has been four days since Papapatagonia, Election Commissioner, announced the commencement of the election period for The South Pacific...So far only two candidates have declared their intention to run for government, Kloister and Geomania, running for Prime Minister and Minister of Security respectively...

Sources close to the Cabinet have revealed that a distinct lack of interest in the current elections could seriously undermine the democracy of the Feeder Region...With 3 out of the 5 ministries still without a candidate, time is running out for candidates to have adequate time to campaign effectively for the membership vote...

Feelings of the Cabinet on this issue are well documented as they continue to encourage all members to consider joining the Government...

Why not give it a try...What have you got to lose?..Register your candidacy with the Election Commission today...

Re-election Treadmill

Cabinet Members Want More...

Kloister, The Prime Minister and Geomania, Minister for Defence have both announced over the weekend their intention to run for re-election to the government of The South Pacific.

Geo, in outlining the reasons they were standing for re-election, stated...’I would bring experience to the position that nobody else would be able to provide’ and following many terms in office as MoD, MoFA and Deputy Intel Minister ‘I have a great deal of experience as a member of the cabinet’.

Geo is looking to ‘spark’ the newly formed Ministry of Security and ‘realise its fullest potential’. To read Geo’s address in full then please visit TSP forum here...

Kloister began his address to the region by offering his heartfelt thanks to J Delight, his deputy, for their tireless work in ‘ensuring that not a beat was missed in the smooth running of affairs’...He also paid tribute to the great friendship that had grown between all members of Cabinet...

As well as outlining his involvement in the work of the government over the last term, Kloister encouraged all members to consider running for a Cabinet position, stating that everyone had something to offer and that members should ‘bring your own identity, ingenuity and perspective to the party’...

You can read Kloister’s full speech here...

The whole election will be covered here on SPOT as it unfolds over the coming weeks...Remember you have until this Friday (23rd March) to declare your intention to run for a government position...Just send a message to each of the Election Commissioners, Papapatagonia, Minbaric Federal Zones & Tsunamy...

A Chat With Tsrill...

Tsrill talks to SPOT about life after Government...

As the outgoing Minister of the Region, Tsrill has agreed to take a little time from his busy schedule and join us here at SPOT HQ for a little pow-wow. So let's see what he had to say for himself...

1. Have you enjoyed your time in government and will you miss it?..

'There are always enjoyable and less enjoyable moments, but in general I had a good time. I am sure there are other ways in which I can contribute to the region than serving in government. Being in power has certain advantages if you want to get things done, but missing it would not be a good thing in general, I think... Still, there's some thrill to oppress...I mean conspir...uh, never mind'



2. What are the reasons for you not standing for re-election?..

'While I have plenty of ideas, I feel I lack the drive to get things done at the moment. Furthermore, I don't think people should stay too long on a position. I would like to see new people step up and show what they are worth; it would be good for the region.'

3. What would you see as your greatest accomplishment during your tenure as MoR?..

'I don't recall having done truly remarkable, outstanding things in the past terms. I had part in getting the forums up and running again after the invision crash, but that was teamwork, really. Further I did my job as outlined in the Charter.'

4. What are your plans for the future?..



5. Any wise words of counsel for your successor?..

'The ministry of the region has become an extensive job over the years, therefore: get a deputy minister and delegate some tasks (something I never did, and somewhat regret). Further keep the assembly under strict control; it tends to go all over the place, but should only go forward.'

A couple of wise words in there somewhere...

We would like to thank Tsrill for taking the time to sit for this interview, to wish him all the best in his future endeavors and give the chameleons our regards...

End of the Line...

Two high profile Cabinet members not seeking re-election...

The next formed government of TSP will not include Tsrill or Caer Rialis, who have served as Minister for the Region and Minister for Foreign Affairs respectively since October 2006...

The statements were issued yesterday from their Ministries...In citing their reasons for withdrawing from public service, Tsrill stated that 'I have held this position for a while now and feel that the time is right to allow someone else an opportunity to serve the region'...

Caer Rialis was a little more tight lipped and in a single lined release just confirmed that 'I am not seeking re-election as Minister for Foreign Affairs'...

Words of support and gratitude have flowed into Government HQ from all corners of the region...Both Tsrill & Caer Rialis have served in most cabinet positions betweent them, during their time in TSP...

This does however, provide the opportunity for others to step in and fill the vast voids left by these two political giants...The campaigning period for the elections is due to commence on Saturday 17th March...If you wish to throw your hat in the ring then register your candidacy with the Election Commissioners now...

Swift Response...

Nation acts quickly to set record straight...

The nation of Jillingham has responded quickly to the report in SPOT yesterday regarding their rising endorsement count...Their Foreign Ministry had this to say in an exclusive statement released to our intrepid SPOT reporter:

'Statement by the Foreign Ministry of the Kingdom of Jillingham:

The Kingdom of Jillingham does not seek election to the Delegacy at this time.
The Kingdom of Jillingham does not belong to any outside organisations.
The Kingdom of Jillingham does not seek to change the structure of the government.

Prince Richard de Jillingham
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs'

Our sources inform us that Jillingham has also communicated to the government of TSP that they will be making best efforts to remain below the 50% endorsement cap...

Another Challenger?..

Nation approaches 50% endo cap...

Sources close to the Government's Ministry of Intelligence have reason to believe that Jillingham, has been approached concerning their current level of endorsements...

SPOT can confirm Jillingham is an established nation with a population in excess of 1.6 billion and that they have a current endorsement level of 43%...

Cabinet officials have attempted to make contact with Jillingham, but as yet no response has been forthcoming...Should they fail to engage in dialogue then any increase in endorsements that takes them over the 50% cap would probably result in temporary exclusion from TSP...

More on this story as it develops...

Election Commission Set Date...

Election Date Announced...

Election Commissioner Papapatagonia, affectionately known within TSP as Atag, has this morning announced that the Cabinet elections for the region will commence on Saturday 17th March...

All members of TSP are encouraged to run for election, guidelines for which can be found in the Election Law of 2006...To get the ball rolling aspiring candidates should register their intent of candidacy by Private Message (PM) to each member of the Election Commission, currently constituted as Papapatagonia, Tsunamy & Minbaric Federal Zones.

For any Election related queries then you are asked to post them in the 'Ask the Commissioners' thread on the forum...

In his announcement Atag said: 'Anyone could win the race. Much like the lotto, except you actually have a chance'...No reason not to give it a shot then if they put it that way...

SPOT will continue to provide all of the news, gossip and rumour in the run up to and during the election period...

In related news, the current government have expressed a desire for an increase in voter numbers this time round...Several initiatives are known to have been discussed within Cabinet so prepare yourself for plenty of activity this time round...

Election Giddyup

Election rumours rife in TSP...

It is expected that the Election Commission of The South Pacific will shortly announce the time-table for the eagerly awaited government elections...

Due to the Invision 'snafu' the elections that should have taken place earlier this year were postponed to allow the Cabinet enough time to make the necessary repairs and ensure TSP was on an even keel...It now seems that the time is right for the government shake-up...

There are also rumours doing the rounds that multiple long standing public servants are not going to be seeking re-election, but rather spending some quality time doing some 'different' things...One source close to the Cabinet mentioned that these 'other pursuits' included making home-made JAM, train spotting, cheese tasting and creating havoc in the 'Off Topic' area of the forum...

So stay tuned for more updates regarding the election as and when the news breaks, plus a detailed run down on the runners and riders as they declare their intent, along with betting odds courtesy of BetFiddle...Get those campaign posters dusted off!..