Alydian Democratic Union
Alydian Democratic Union Union des Démocrates Alydie | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader | Isaac Joubert |
| Deputy Leader | Grégoire Poincaré |
| Founder | Aurélien Arceneaux Domènec Juventeny Carla Peltier |
| Founded | 2 August 1953 |
| Preceded by | National Coalition |
| Headquarters | Richelieu, Lotrič |
| Ideology | Conservatism Alydian democracy Paternalism |
| Political position | Centre-right |
| International affiliation | Democratic Forum |
| Parliamentary Bloc | Chartist |
| Colours | Dark Blue |
| Public Assembly | 59 / 572
|
| Senate | 21 / 300
|
| Election symbol | |
| UDA | |
The Alydian Democratic Union (Midrasian: Union des Démocrates Alydie), abbreviated UDA; otherwise known as the Union of Alydian Democrats, is a conservative, alydian democratic political party in Midrasia. The party was formed in 1953 as a breakaway party from the National Coalition, representing members of the party who sought to advocate policies more aligned with Alydian democratic stances rather that outright nationalism. Since its formation the party has been the country's leading conservative political party along with elements of the Chartist Party. Today, the party remains the leading advocate for traditionalist conservative policies within Midrasia, and is a major player within the Chartist Bloc along with the Republican Party. Since 2013 the party has been in opposition and has suffered a considerable period of decline, losing a considerably amount of support the more nationalistic anti-immigration Midrasia First.
History
Devreuxanism
Modern Midrasian conservatism mostly has its origins within the Devreuxan movement of the Old Republic which advocated for a strong Consulship and was opposed to the secularist stances of the Parliamentarian movement. In addition to supporting a strong Consulship, the Devreuxans advocated for the organisation of society on the lines of a social contract. Devreuxans also held the church in high regard, mandating that religious institutions be represented in Midrasian politics and that religious doctrine be utilised as a basis for a moral society. In general the Devreuxans acted as more of an informal coalition of like minded nobles and elects within parliament and it would not be until after the revolution that there would be a movement to establish an official political party to represent Midrasian conservative values.
Nevertheless, with the fall of the Devreuxan Consulship following the Midrasian Revolution, traditionalist conservatives remained considerably isolated for a large portion of the early Nineteenth Century, overshadowed by the Chartist Party.
Conservative Party
The Conservative Party was, between 1791 and 1869, the main conservative political party within Midrasia, for the most of its history operating in direct opposition to the Chartist Party. The Conservative Party won its first election in 1815 with François de Mydroll elected as Consul. Throughout its time in government, the Conservative party was able to form a number of majority governments, passing a significant amount of legislation and greatly contributing to the evolution of nineteenth-century Midrasian society.
Generally, the Conservative party tended to favour a protectionist attitude towards trade, emphasising Midrasian goods and services over free trade with foreign countries and empires. In terms of social attitudes, the party was socially conservative placing great emphasis on the established Alydian church, gradualist reform, and the promotion of traditional moral values. Despite this, in an effort to increase the popularity of the party within the 1870s, the Conservatives can be seen to have championed the cause of the working classes through an advocacy of universal male suffrage and better conditions for factory workers. The Conservative party also saw itself as the bastion of imperialism advocating for the overseas expansion of the Midrasian Republic, both to secure resources and trade income, but also to spread modernity and the ideas of the enlightenment to the so-called 'backward nations of Aeia' through the civilising mission. The party was particularly fixated on Midrasian domination of the continents of Majula and Arabekh. The party was also notable for its opposition to the abolition of slavery a major factor in the marginalisation of the party during its early years of operation.
However, with Midrasia's defeat at the hands of Veleaz during the Perpignan War, the Conservative Party suffered major setbacks, having been seen as the party responsible for the country's humiliating defeat. The party split apart during the Crisis of 1871, its members splintering into the Republican, Royalist, Revanchist, and Devreuxan Parties. Whilst many traditionalist conservatives would coalesce around the Republican Party between 1870 and 1935, the formation of the National Coalition saw many on the political right defect due to the increasing moderate stances of the Republicans. Yet with the fall of the CN in 1953 many traditionalist conservatives elected to form their own party outside of the more mainstream right-wing factions.
Alydian Democratic Union
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By the 1950s tensions within the party between the right-wing protectionist bloc and the emergent neoliberal wing has reached breaking point. A number of defectors from the National Coalition officially joined the Republican Party in what they saw as an increasingly right-wing nationalist tendency within the party. Bolstered by this, in 1953 an alliance of twelve alydian democrat members of the National Coalition officially split with the party to form the Alydian Democratic Union. Although initially it was believed that the Coalition would remain intact, due to the size of its majority, internal divisions in the Coalition only improving the standing of the UDA. At the 1956 election, the UDA was able to attain 22 seats, whilst the National Coalition lost its majority, only attaining 120 seats. In the following years, the divisions within the CN would only worsen, leading an increasing number to defect to the UDA and Republicans.
The UDA have officially entered government four times as part of the Chartist bloc since the party's formation, and has gained a position within the Council of State on all but one occasion. During this period the party was identified as a key defender of the Midrasian Alydian Church, making itself a major obstacle to secularisation and same-sex marriage. The party has also been a key defender of Midrasian religious schools and has generally taken a mixed approach towards economic matters. Whilst the party has generally benefited from a strong religious voter base in recent years' the party's support has begun to erode, with votes increasingly turning to the more right-wing Midrasia First.
Ideology
The Alydian Democratic Union identifies as a traditionalist conservative, alydian democratic political party, generally advocating for gradual political and social change with a respect for existing institutions and values. The party has been a key advocate for the Midrasian Alydian Church in national politics and has key ties to the Pontificate. The party also has a direct commitment to upholding a Capetist approach to foreign policy within its manifesto, mandating a general level of independence and autonomy for Midrasia in foreign affairs. The party is also known for its sceptical stances towards the Commonwealth of Democratic Nations and has in the past advocated for Midrasia to leave the alliance.
The party's main platform as outlined in their 2017 manifesto is as follows:
- A commitment to maintaining the sanctity of marriage
- Guarantee a 'triple lock' guarantee on national pensions
- Reduce net-migration to around 150,000 per anum
- Introduce a 4-year residency requirement for migrants seeking to claim benefits
- Introduction of minimum pricing on alcohol and cigarettes
- New legislation to introduce parental controls for internet access
- Scrap legislation giving priority treatment to religious minorities
- Mandate that identification be required to vote in future general elections
- Maintenance of Midrasia's independent Capetist foreign policy outlook
Electoral performance
Parliament
| Election year | Public Assembly | Government | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # of overall votes |
% of overall vote |
# of overall seats won |
+/– | ||
| 2017 | 2,177,084 | 3.68 % | 47 / 572
|
 6
|
in opposition |
Aeian Parliament
| Election year | # of overall votes |
% of overall vote |
# of overall seats won |
+/– |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 102,440 | 0.65 % | 0 / 110
|