Conservative Nationals (Hverland)

Conservative Nationals Þjóðvarðarhægrar
Leader	Halldóra Jónsdóttir
Founded	1969
Preceded by	The Conservatives
Ideology	Liberal conservatism
Political position	Centre-right
Colours	Navy blue
Fjallting seats	10 / 81
Municipality seats	14 / 174
Website
cn.hv
Political parties

The Conservative Nationals (Hverlandic: Þjóðvarðarhægrar) is a centre-right political party led by Halldóra Jónsdóttir. Founded in 1969, the party has consistently maintained its liberal economic ideals, though recently has adopting a more socially liberal stance. It holds 10 out of the 81 seats in the Fjallting and 14 of 174 seats in local municipalities. It does not contest seats in the Sámedagi.

History

The party was founded in 1969 as a successor to The Conservatives. This shift represented an evolution of its foundational beliefs. While retaining its commitment to free markets and social conservatism, the Conservative Nationals started acknowledging the need to adapt to a changing world. Recognizing that a degree of social flexibility was essential for societal cohesion, the party began to liberalize its stance on various social issues such as civil liberties and social justice.

The 1980s and '90s were a period of introspection for the Conservative Nationals, as the advent of globalization forced a reevaluation of traditional conservative doctrine. The party thus introduced policies that sought to harmonize free-market capitalism with a social safety net, aiming to create a more balanced and inclusive form of conservatism that could appeal to a new generation of voters.

In recent years, the Conservative Nationals have played an active role in debates over immigration, national identity, and Hverland's place in a rapidly changing global landscape. They have championed a vision of a unified yet diverse Hverland, emphasizing the importance of social cohesion and a strong national character.

The party has had modest electoral success. In 1993, their presidential candidate Sigvor Jórísdóttir came in second with 35.6% of the votes in the first round and 47.7% in the second round. The party did not participate in the presidential elections of 1997 and 2009. In 2003, they received only 3.1% of the votes, coming in 5th. In the most recent presidential election of 2021 the party secured 14.9% of the votes and came in 4th.

Ideology

The Conservative Nationals are firmly rooted in centre-right ideology, endorsing a mix of liberal economic policies. The party stands for deregulation, privatization, and marketization as means to stimulate economic growth and innovation. On social issues, it has historically taken a conservative approach but has become more liberal in recent years.

Policy positions

Economic eiberalism

The party staunchly supports the principles of economic liberalism, with an emphasis on fostering a free and competitive market environment. They argue that minimal government intervention in the market will facilitate optimal economic growth. The party advocates for deregulation to reduce bureaucratic red tape, privatization of state-controlled industries to improve efficiency, and marketisation to drive innovation and entrepreneurship. Additionally, they support fiscal conservatism, favoring low taxation to stimulate economic activity and increase disposable income for households.

Defense

National security is another cornerstone of the party's platform. The Conservative Nationals believe that Hverland should enhance its military capabilities and make a committed effort to join NATO. By becoming a member of this international defense alliance, the party argues, Hverland would not only secure its own safety but also gain a more influential position on the international stage. Furthermore, they advocate for increased defense spending to modernize the military infrastructure and improve readiness for any potential threats.

Immigration

The Conservative Nationals take a stringent stance on immigration. While they do not support the loosening of Hverland's already strict immigration laws, they go a step further by advocating for even tighter restrictions, particularly for immigrants from regions outside of Europe and North America. They justify this by pointing to the need to maintain a demographic balance that they believe is essential for preserving the country’s cultural heritage and social cohesion.

Social policies

While the party's social policies have evolved to become more liberal over time, reflecting broader changes in societal attitudes, it still maintains a conservative stance on certain issues. For example, the party supports the preservation of traditional family values, which include opposition to policies that they argue may undermine the integrity of the family unit and opposed the passage of the Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Act.

Environmental policy

Although not at the forefront of their agenda, the Conservative Nationals have begun to acknowledge the importance of environmental stewardship. They favor market-based solutions to environmental issues, such as carbon trading schemes and incentivizing businesses to adopt greener practices. However, their environmental policies are often secondary to their economic and defense priorities.

Voter base

The voter base of the Conservative Nationals is diverse, encompassing economic conservatives, free-market proponents, and individuals who lean towards conservative social values. The party's recent shift towards social liberalism has also allowed it to attract more moderate voters, expanding its base.

See also

• Politics of Hverland