2009 Conservative Party National Conference

The Vryland 2009 Conservative National Conference will take place at the International Convention Centre in Cape Town, Western Cape from 5 February till 7 February 2009. The first day of the conference fell on the last day of the delayed 2009 Liberal Party National Convention and was consequently overshadowed by Stefaan de Clerck accepting the Liberal Party's nomination for president.

This was the latest any major party convention has ever been convened. Traditionally, the party holding the presidency selects its convention date second and normally holds its convention between two and three weeks after the challenging party. It was the first time in history an incumbent president did not attend his party's convention. A pre-recorded video message was played instead.

As of the start of the conference, no front-running candidate had an outright win, and no deals had been struck to ensure certain individuals a win. This isn't unusual (it has happened three times before) but it is considered damaging to the party's image. There are 1,302 pledged delegates in attendance, of which 652 will be required to win the nomination.

Thursday 5 February 2009

 * Andries Maartens, President of Vryland. The message was pre-recorded due to Maartens being abroad on official business.  In the message he praised all three leading candidates and stated that either Abel Miele or Karl Rossouw would be ready to lead.  He also praised Miele's service to his country and Rossouw's maverick reputation.
 * Eric Snyder, Senator from Bosveld who crossed the aisle to join the Conservative from the Liberals in 2007. He criticised the Liberals for holding the final day of their conference on the same day as the Conservatives opening day.  He also stated that Stefaan de Clerck was unfit to be President.
 * Nikola Bakker, Senator from Western Cape. She praised Abel Miele and stated the convention should elect him.  Some of those in the audience who support Rossouw booed her.
 * Diederik Klooster, the Conservative Governor of Free State.

Friday 6 February 2009

 * Freddie Alkema, Senator from Bosveld. As the candidate placing third and as a Vice Presidential hopeful he spoke first about who he thinks the nominee should be.  Although he did not explicitly support Miele or Rossouw over the other, his speech leaned towards favouring Rossouw according to observers.
 * Abel Miele, Senator from Southland. Placing second on overall delegate count, but still able to win the nomination, Miele spoke second.  In his speech he spoke of his service to his country and criticised the young Stefaan de Clerck for being too maverick (which was also taken as a dig at Karl Rossouw), and for not having any experience.  He then went on to criticise his choice of running mate, stating he has picked style over substance and that voters wouldn't be fooled.
 * Karl Rossouw, Senator from Transvaal. Rossouw places first on overall pledged delegates and so was allowed to speak last.  Rossouw's speech praised both the other men and he was the only speaker to mention President Maartens, whom he thanked for his "sometimes misguided" duty to the country.  Rossouw spoke of his work as Senator and how he is more than willing to cross party lines in order to achieve progress (a claim Stefaan de Clerck has often made).  Rossouw also stated how there were several issues he would always be conservative on, including abortion, taxation and foreign policy towards hostile nations.
 * Claas Hoogstraaten, Governor of Transvaal. Although not expected to side with one candidate over the other, Hoogstraaten lavishly praised Senator Rossouw for his service to Transvaal and also thanked Miele and Alkema for their service to their country and their long standing record on doing "what's right for the nation" (meaning "right-wing").
 * Willemina Jensen, Speaker of the Northern Cape House of Representatives. She strongly criticised Stefaan de Clerck's record as Governor and also strongly disputed the record of his running mate, Ellie Jagter.  She received rapturous applause from attendees.
 * Pieter van Uyl, son of Frederik van Uyl, 39th President of Vryland, and CEO of EsMin.

Saturday 7 February 2009

 * Delegates gathered at 11:00 to vote for their Vice Presidential nomination. It was widely regarded that if Freddie Alkema was named as VP nomination, Karl Rossouw would be expected to take the Presidential nomination.
 * At 13:00 on 7 February 2009, Adam Levesque, Vryland Senate Majority Leader, announced that by a vote of 763 - 539, Freddie Alkema is the Conservative Party Vice Presidential nominee for the Vryland Presidential elections, 2009.
 * At 14:00 delegates voted for their Presidential nomination. Due to Alkema's winning the VP nomination ealier that day, it was widely expected Karl Rossouw could edge the win.
 * At 16:00 Daniël Vinck announces 'Karl Rossouw is the Conservative Party Presidential nominee for the Vryland Presidential elections, 2009.