Quote:It is highly likely that we will be meeting with foreign business leaders, and governments, especially those within the liberal and centrist international free trade movement, to work together to bring new, modern jobs to Shu, especially in order to replenish our manufacturing sector. The current government in Tian'an is out-of-touch with our needs and concerns on a provincial level.

Quote:We amended our proposals after listening to and accepting requests from the National Democrats in order to gain their support. Mr. Yuán then supported the bill. After that, Mr. Yuán demanded a cabinet position, which would not make sense given they were not a coalition partner. After we expressed this to him, he pulled support for many bills he had expressed support for before. When our party was in opposition, even with just five seats, we found a way to work with the government to pass a bipartisan income tax bill. It's hard to see how Mr. Yuán can look past his own political ambitions to work with us in the future, but we're always open to discussion.

Quote:It's so important to continue to support our students. My first action as Party Leader was to attend a student protest in Kaizhou, and I recall looking at the faces of these young people and seeing their passion to create a better and stronger future for themselves and for their country. There were few moments in my political career which were so inspiring and motivating. We must honour our students, as they honour our ancestors by working to create an even greater Indrala.

Quote:[Int.]Good evening. We're live in Tian'an, Han, for a TBC town hall with the Right Honourable Chancellor, Wu Hán. I will ask a number of questions and then we will go to questions from around the country. Please join me now in welcoming the Right Honourable Chancellor.
*Applause; Wu Hán enters, waves to the crowd, bows to Wang Xiu Ying, bows to the crowd and takes his seat*
[Int.] So, we're going to get to a whole range of topics, but I'd like to begin with your recent trip to Hutori. How was it?
[Wu] Much colder than here...
*Chuckles from the audience*
[Wu] ... But on a serious note, I feel it went very well. I discussed a range of topics with the President of Hutori, Emily Hamilton, which I felt was very productive. We have a good friend in Hutori.
[Int.] You've been very engaged in working toward an international ban on landmines...
*Scattered cheers and applause from the crowd*
[Int.] ... Did you raise that issue [with the President of Hutori]?
[Wu] I did, yes.
[Int.] How did that go?
[Wu] Well, you have to understand that it's an issue that is very complex and we are-
[Int.] Looks like you didn't reach an agreement
[Wu] No, it's just-- the President expressed to me that the political situation in Hutori would make it tough-
[Int.] So the President refused to propose a landmine ban?
*Scattered chuckles from the audience, Wu Hán nervously chuckles*
[Wu] No, that's not quite it. It's just a very complex issue, and I assure you we will continue to fight for a world free from these disgusting devices. But I cannot, in my position as Chancellor of this country, lecture other leaders on how to legislate in their own countries.
*Applause*
[Int.] Let's continue on this topic for a moment. You are the Chair of the International Organization for the Prohibition of Landmines...
*Applause*
[Wu] Yes.
[Int.] The inevitable goal of this organization must be to reach an international agreement or treaty on the prohibition of these weapons, correct?
[Wu] That's correct, yes.
[Int.] How would such an agreement get ratified by the National Conference when you have both the Republic's Conservatives and the National Democrats who have consistently voted against such a ban domestically?
*Scattered cheers*
[Wu] Well, we did get a ban through last February...
*Applause*
[Wu]... and I believe this is an issue where views have evolved in the past and will continue to evolve. Indrala has the opportunity to be a beacon of peace and hope in the world through this initiative. Hopefully, we can appeal to the Jienist values of stewardship and nobility in all of us, and we can unite around this issue.
[Int.] Why should we expect that you'll be able to get support for this, when you couldn't accomplish constitutional reform?
*Cheers and scattered jeering*
[Wu] ... Look, we never said that constitutional reform was going to be easy. And you have to remember, we had support from every party in our first bill before the National Democrats decided to campaign against it. That is their decision, and I understand that they have to represent their voters. *inaudible* ... and luckily, we have been seeing an increase in cooperation as we have entered the final half of this legislative period. It looks like we will be able to achieve at least the most rudimentary constitutional reforms we sought to enact. So I wouldn't say we didn't accomplish anything on this file. Is it exactly how we wanted to see it? No. But it's a move in the right direction.
*Applause*
[Int.] So the election date will probably be a year earlier?
[Wu] It should be, yes.
[Int.] Will you be running for re-election? Do you expect to do well?
[Wu] I will, yes...
*Applause*
[Wu] As for how I will do, that is in the hands of the Indralan people. I feel that we have done a good job of advocating for a more compassionate and optimistic vision for this country and enacting legislation to this end. But like I said, we can only continue on this path if we have the support of the Indralan people, and so I will humbly await their judgement on election day.
*Light applause*

[Int.] Let's go to the audience. Chen Zhao is a student at Kaizhou University, your alma-mater, and she has a question regarding university funding. Ms. Chen.
[Chen] Mr. Chancellor, thank you for taking my question. You have put forward a number of reforms for post-secondary education that gained a lot of votes from young people, including myself, in the last election. There are rumours that this legislation will not be put to a vote in this legislative period. Is that true?
[Wu] Thank you Ms. Chen for your question, your support and for choosing the finest University in Indrala...
*Laughter and scattered cheers*
[Wu] We will be putting our Indralan Advanced Education Act to voting and will be caucusing parties across the aisle to try and gain their support for this very important legislation. I've fought for the success of students my entire life you will continue to have a fighter in me.
*Applause*

[Int.] This question comes from Guo Yang, a labour activist in Shu. He voted for you in the last election, but now says that he regrets it. Mr. Guo.
[Guo] Yes, I've been President of the Hazhou Automotive Workers Union Local 543 for 5 years. I was very pleased to see your extensive campaigning in Shu, and I was inspired by your advocacy for workers both on the picket-line and in the National Conference, and so I voted for you... but not many others in Shu did. We haven't seen anything close to the legislation for workers in Shu proposed while you're in government that you proposed in opposition, and you haven't even tried to work with the National Democrats who won here overwhelmingly. So I have two questions; first, why do you think you lost Shu when you spent the most time campaigning here? And secondly, why don't you care about Shu anymore?
*Scattered applause*
[Wu] Well thank you, Mr. Guo, for this question. I really do share your frustration. For a long time your region was ignored, and we saw plants shutting down and moving overseas--
[Guo] It still is--
[Wu] Sorry?
[Guo] it still is being ignored today by your government. What are you going to do? What-- *microphone disabled*
[Int.] Let's allow the Chancellor to respond.
[Wu] We have brought in many different reforms for the economy, and we're working to rebuild a more progressive economy from the bottom up. We have also enacted a number of the proposals we made during the crisis in 4255 now that we're in government, including the green-fuel subsidy, which will create jobs in the automotive sector in Shu. To answer your second question regarding our cooperation with the National Democrats, we have been trying. We will continue to be open to working with others. Mr. Yuán has been assured of this time and time again.

[six other questions were asked, after which Chancellor Wu gave closing remarks]

[Wu] ...Indrala is a nation built on the labour of our elders and the dreams of our young people. For this reason, I know we can be an even better country. We can work to build a society in harmony, where our elders are cared for and our young people are enabled to reach their fullest potential. It's tough work, but it must be done. And it will be done. Thank you.
[Int.] Thank you, Chancellor.
*Loud applause, Wu Hán shakes Wang Xiu Ying's hand, waves and bows to the crowd as the camera pans out, and eventually cuts to political pundits*

Quote:All of my colleagues are incredibly moved and humbled by the trust you, the people of Indrala, have once again placed with us. *Wu tears up as the crowd cheers*

For this and for so many other privileges which this country has given us, we thank you. *Wu bows*

Quote:There are those that say that our dreams for Indrala are too big. That they are not feasible or responsible. Together, we dare to look this cynicism directly in the eye, and have faith that the best has yet to come.
We dare to believe in Indrala.
Thank you and goodnight!

Quote:Justice for our people means justice for the earth.

Quote:All of my colleagues are incredibly moved and humbled by the trust you, the people of Indrala, have once again placed with us. *Wu tears up as the crowd cheers*

[quote]Chancellor Wu Han walks on the concrete of Tian’an in his loafers pretending to understand the struggles of real people. He doesn’t have a clue! Only a gas-huffing buffoon such as this could be so daft to build himself a brand-new home on the taxpayer’s back!

Quote:Those who breed on the suffering of the working class have no place in this country. We must reject those who believe it is right to indoctrinate our children in classrooms and breathe fairy tails of economic prosperity down our shirts.

Quote:February 4274 will be the day a green wave sweeps across Indrala, and this party forms a new government dedicated to working mothers, fathers and the soil they walk on.

Quote:We hope that this new school will enable you to study enthusiastically so that you can reach the fullest of your potential, and that you can continue to be the pride of your parents and the pride of our country!

Quote:We are happy to see that this government has taken education seriously throughout its time in the National Conference. It is a beautiful day when so many children in our community can walk into a clean and modern facility to learn. The Early Education Act made this possible. For this, I, and so many others in the community are eternally grateful for Chancellor Wu's leadership.

Quote:Today is the proof of our commitment and dedication to the success of Indrala's students, something which we have been fortunate enough to carry into government. No longer does the government of Indrala ignore our young, but rather we nurture them from primary all the way through to post-secondary with our Early and Advanced Education Acts. As you can see, this legislation is delivering results. Our future has never been stronger.

Quote:Jia Luoyang, Tiaxi Times: Critics on the left say that the Government has been too lenient on education reform, allowing private schools to function exactly as they did before. What do you say to this?
Wu: Our education reform has been the most substantial and progressive change to the way education has been delivered in this country for decades.
Xian Xiuying, Great Indrala Gazette: We've gotten reports from undisclosed sources within your party and the Nationalist Party that you don't personally like the Nationalist Party Leader Feng Xinyue, is there any truth to this?
Wu: We have enjoyed a great working relationship with the Nationalist Party for many years. I congratulated Ms. Feng on her victory and I look forward to working with her.
Xian: Do you like Ms. Feng?
Wu: Sure, sure.
Tang Ruogang, Tian'an Observer: Song Yi of the newly formed Green Bloc had some harsh words for you last month, do you have any response?
Wu: I eagerly anticipate her contribution to our democratic debate. We will always work across party lines on issues of mutual agreement, and I'm sure Ms. Song will be surprised to find that there are often more similarities than differences between groups of people.

Quote:My friends, colleagues, and to all of the Indralan people, thank you for bestowing on me the unique opportunity to have served as your Chancellor for the last 11 years. This privilege which you have given me has been and will continue to be the greatest honour of my life. I will never forget that night, so many years ago, when I was watching the results with Biyu and my two beautiful children, and I learned that I would become the Fourth Republic's first democratically-elected Chancellor. I thought about my parents, of their sacrifices, and how they led me to where I stood that night. I thought about the gravity of the position, representing and governing all of my compatriots. It was a very serious and reflective moment, one I am sure that Feng Zinyue is experiencing as I speak to you now. I have called Feng Zinyue and I have congratulated her on her enormous victory this evening, and I offered my personal assistance over the coming weeks and months as she transitions to this role.

Democracy teaches hard lessons. Leaders must be open enough to learn from these lessons, and one of these such lessons is defeat. As such, I cannot shrink from my responsibility and must shoulder the blame. Dear friends, I have failed you. I will resign immediately from my post as Lotus Party Leader so that we can elect a new leader as soon as possible.

I see tears in the audience tonight; there should be no tears. We should be proud of what we fought for and for what we have been able to accomplish together. Although our ambitions to form a majority government tonight have failed, our party's determination to see the Indrala of our dreams will never die. As long as our party stands, and we fight with the strength of our convictions and our love for this nation, our best days are still ahead of us. And so while you may be sad tonight, after tomorrow, let us continue to strive for Indrala's freedom, equality and happiness. A better tomorrow is yet to come. Thank you.

Quote:A message was sent to Wu Han, and that message was clear: the people will not tolerate a leader with complete disregard for the real struggles of the working class.

Quote:We had hoped for a better result, however we had little time to show the people of Indrala who we are and what we stand for. In the coming years the people will learn who really has their back.

Quote:I’d like to congratulate Feng Xinyue on her victory, and reach out an arm of cooperation to my colleague who I look forward to working with on important issues such as women’s rights, tax reform and affordable housing.

Quote:We have so much work to do for our people, and we will put forward a strong and progressive agenda that will put our country back in the people’s hands. I will either change this country for the better, or die trying!