Thank you for your kind words about my book. Hopefully you will find it as interesting politically as you do literarily.
I must ask, though; you say influencing Spain would put us in a better position. Might I ask what for? War is the only thing that springs to my mind.
As for your insinuations that my views are somehow hypocritical because I didn't intervene when we were meddling in Africa, I was not around during our colonialism boom. Neither am I "the right" (and your insistence of such is growing tiresome). I assure you, I would have preached caution with colonialism as I have here.
Also, I did not suggest M. de Leeuw was proposing a formal alliance, but there is a difference with organising a détente (which was, in fact, a policy of mine when I was at the Foreign Office) and "bringing democracy", which implies an active interest in changing their state. This goes a bit further than increasing relations, don't you think? I still fail to see how one could perceive your plans as anything other than actively trying to change their government, which would certainly carry implications.
Further, opposition and cynicism are very different things. Feel free to take it as a compliment, M. Dupointe, but the fact that cynicism is often detrimental outside of satirists' studies. To illustrate the difference, my "complaining" about the government's policies is a critique to highlight what I perceive to be aspects or omissions that could be detrimental to Belgium. I therefore wish to try my best to rectify this. I am not criticising any "mistakes". You meanwhile, M. Dupointe, actively promote stereotypes about all conservatives (and liberals, in sme cases) and lambast everything they do – whether grounded in truth or not – without providing any reasoned counter-arguments outside of scaremongering mentions of Beauffortism and populist denunciation of the opposition. Yes, this is, to an extent, your job, being a member of what is, I will admit, a government operating in adverse conditions, but being in power does not entitle one to some sort of membership card which means one doesn't have to reason anymore.
It has also come to my attention that my earlier ballot was void. I apologise for the oversight; I must have messed it up in my hurry to leave to see my father this morning. It is quite serendipitous, however, as I did mean to amend it in any case. Therefore:
Secularism Amendment:
Abstain
Mandate of the African Federation:
Abstain
While I commend the idea, there are some aspects with which I cannot agree – notably the republican articles. I propose that any consideration of an African Federation is delayed until after any referenda on the monarchy that may be held have been completed.
Colonial Bill of Rights:
Aye
Referendum on the Monarchy:
Aye
I admire Prime Minister Savarin for his attempts to convert His Grace the Duke of Anjou to a more open way of thinking. I do place confidence in the fact that a monarchy is desired, and therefore feel that blocking a referendum from occurring would be madness and give off the wring impressions – namely, that the monarchist interest in Parliament are worried that any result would be unfavourable. I therefore feel we should be done with any argument that has dragged on for far too long and get an answer.
Elected Senate Amendment:
Nay
[LDP]
I am also deeply saddened to hear of the death of my respected colleague and friend the Duke of Benin. He will be sorely missed by both the party and, no doubt, Belgium at large. To that end, I accept interim chairmanship of the party.
The Hon. J. B. H. Van der Wyngaert
Acting Chairman of the Liberal Democrat Party
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