08-22-2007, 12:30 PM
My Lords and Gentlemen, I will keep this statement brief and to the point. As some of you may already know, I have been accused of gaining Ascalonian citizenship, and offices under the Ascalonian Crown, under the assumed name James S. Livingston. Although some details of the charges are inaccurate, their substance is correct.
Some time ago, at a slack moment in Hanoverian affairs, I decided that it might be interesting to be involved in Ascalon, although I knew that, as an online citizen, there would never be much of a role for me. Now, at that time Ascalon had a website; I later learned that it was out of date, but at that time I assumed it was accurate, given the fastidious nature of the Empire in other matters. This website actually advertized the notion of dual citizenship, although I cannot recall the exact words used. And so I immigrated. I chose to use the false name mainly so that Hanoverians wouldn't find out about it, since it could be considered disloyalty in a time of emergency.
While in Ascalon, I eventually became one of the Emperor's Private Secretaries. In that role, I can say that I served him faithfully without revealing any confidential information I received to Hanoverians, or vice versa. In truth, I've forgotten almost everything we discussed. A few months later, a revival of Hanoverian affairs forced me to drop Ascalonian matters -- I had been somewhat inactive the whole time anyway -- and since then I never again appeared as James Livingston.
My Lords and Gentlemen, I will not try to justify my actions. This speech is an explanation, not an excuse. And I do genuinely regret my actions, although I firmly believe that no-one was harmed. Therefore, I will plead guilty to the charges laid against me, and will accept such punishment as the Ascalonian courts may think fit to impose. My punishment will also extend to Hanover and Varennes, in accordance with our treaty with Ascalon. I recognize that my actions were ignoble and unworthy of a Peer of the Realm; His Majesty has been so gracious as to give me the opportunity to renounce my Peerage and other honours willfully, rather than subjecting me to royal degradation. Therefore, I do hereby renounce the Barony of Oldenburg and all other titles I hold of the Hanoverian and Varennaise Crown.
Furthermore, because I cannot in good conscience serve Hanover as her Prime Minister if I am not trusted by the people, I beg to move, That the Parliament continues to confide in Christopher McQueeny to lead His Majesty's Government.
May all that are of that opinion say Content, to the contrary, Not Content.
This is a confidence motion. If a majority of Members vote Not Content, I will resign as Prime Minister. If a majority are Content, my Government will continue.
Edit: I've been told this is slightly unclear. To clarify, "Content" is a vote in favour of me and the Government. "Not Content" is a vote in favour of my resignation.
Some time ago, at a slack moment in Hanoverian affairs, I decided that it might be interesting to be involved in Ascalon, although I knew that, as an online citizen, there would never be much of a role for me. Now, at that time Ascalon had a website; I later learned that it was out of date, but at that time I assumed it was accurate, given the fastidious nature of the Empire in other matters. This website actually advertized the notion of dual citizenship, although I cannot recall the exact words used. And so I immigrated. I chose to use the false name mainly so that Hanoverians wouldn't find out about it, since it could be considered disloyalty in a time of emergency.
While in Ascalon, I eventually became one of the Emperor's Private Secretaries. In that role, I can say that I served him faithfully without revealing any confidential information I received to Hanoverians, or vice versa. In truth, I've forgotten almost everything we discussed. A few months later, a revival of Hanoverian affairs forced me to drop Ascalonian matters -- I had been somewhat inactive the whole time anyway -- and since then I never again appeared as James Livingston.
My Lords and Gentlemen, I will not try to justify my actions. This speech is an explanation, not an excuse. And I do genuinely regret my actions, although I firmly believe that no-one was harmed. Therefore, I will plead guilty to the charges laid against me, and will accept such punishment as the Ascalonian courts may think fit to impose. My punishment will also extend to Hanover and Varennes, in accordance with our treaty with Ascalon. I recognize that my actions were ignoble and unworthy of a Peer of the Realm; His Majesty has been so gracious as to give me the opportunity to renounce my Peerage and other honours willfully, rather than subjecting me to royal degradation. Therefore, I do hereby renounce the Barony of Oldenburg and all other titles I hold of the Hanoverian and Varennaise Crown.
Furthermore, because I cannot in good conscience serve Hanover as her Prime Minister if I am not trusted by the people, I beg to move, That the Parliament continues to confide in Christopher McQueeny to lead His Majesty's Government.
May all that are of that opinion say Content, to the contrary, Not Content.
This is a confidence motion. If a majority of Members vote Not Content, I will resign as Prime Minister. If a majority are Content, my Government will continue.
Edit: I've been told this is slightly unclear. To clarify, "Content" is a vote in favour of me and the Government. "Not Content" is a vote in favour of my resignation.