6 February 2023
Today, the results of last Friday's National Assembly session were finalized and released to the public. Representatives were presented with three new bills to vote on, the most important of which was a revised version of Luke Fitzgibbins' "Family Voting Bill". This version of the bill would still revoke suffrage for citizens older than twenty years of age, but would allow Rep. Iyan Seeker's mother and President Jaxson Renny's father to vote. Luke Fitzgibbins made these revisions in an attempt to sway Rep. Seeker's vote. Because he has three seats, his vote has been a make-or-break for all controversial bills. Despite the compromises VP Fitzgibbins made in the bill, it ultimately failed to gain support in the Assembly. The bill was vetoed by five out of seven representatives, all of which affiliate with the Phillip National Front.
When the Phillip National Front was established, Minister Norfolk created an agreement with members of the National Assembly in his party to vote in accordance with how he votes on bills. That agreement basically allowed him to gain partial control over the majority of Assembly seats. This session proved that Minister Norfolk's decision alone is able to determine the outcome of bills. He now has a strong hold on the legislative process of the nation.
VP Fitzgibbins was upset over the outcome of this session for multiple reasons. He was promised by Minister Norfolk that if he made the compromises that he did, he would order his party to vote for the bill. But as Minister Norfolk was starting his new party, he decided to break his promise and order his party to vote against the bill. VP Fitzgibbins was also upset about the state of the National Assembly. Below is a quote from a recent interview with the Phillip Daily where he speaks on the matter:
"In terms of the National Assembly, we have seen a complete failure, an absolute dumpster fire. Cooper Norfolk has blocked all attempts to better our nation.... I think that... Phillip is doing okay, but tensions are at all time high... honestly I don't see how things could get better immediatley, without some 'ultimate conflict'. Whether that be political or something else, we'll see."
From this quote, many assumed that the Vice President was suggesting some sort of war or legal action being taken against the Phillip National Front and Minister Norfolk. President Jaxson Renny also confirmed to the Phillip Daily that VP Fitzgibbins had talked to him about the potential of a civil war. Below are multiple quotes from President Renny on the subject matter of the civil war and the state of the National Assembly:
"I think that there is way, way too much power from the 'Cooper Party'. I forgot it's name but... I've learned about this party like maybe an hour ago and I had a math test so it was pretty hard. But, I think that Luke is right because they have, like, way way way way way way too much power and we need to bring up some change. We need some change in this Phillip society. They're all cool people, though."
"I think that civil war or not, that bill won't get passed until ... a new reelection for seats, and its more focused on people ... over the age of twenty that can vote."
"I don't think that a civil war will bring the answer to that question, but I do think that something does need to be done about Cooper [Norfolk]'s power."
The future of Phillip from this point on is not known, but it seems like the government will be attempting to do something about the National Assembly crisis. VP Fitzgibbins is also still throwing around the idea of creating a new political party with the sole purpose of pushing his voting bill.