30th November 1998 • The Wizarding World's Beguiling Broadsheet of Choice • 5 κ
Examining the Future Minister!
By Juliet Browning, Staff Writer
In this second instalment of our exploration into the Minister for Magic candidates we will explore the remaining three candidates: Felicity Edgecombe Bertrand Higgs and Gracius Pritachard V. Offering a fair and balanced overview of the candidates' platforms and expertise, let the Daily Prophet guide you through the process as we await the Wizengamot Special Election on 6th December, 1998. Remember to keep an eye out for a Special Election Edition of the Daily Prophet on Monday 5th of December.
BERTRAND HIGGS
Betrand Higs, known as Bertie to his friends, is a well connected member of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. A hardy sixty year old, many had thought his time for political success had run out after being eclipsed time and time again by others in the department. However, showing himself as just as feisty as the Nogtails he enjoys hunting, Higgs is back to throw his wand into the ring.
He has a number of connections in crucial organisations and seats, though many doubt his ability to gain votes with a seemingly uncertain agenda. He claims to want to enforce the enactment of traditional positions and hierarchy but such ideas are weakened by friendships with convicted muggleborns and sympathies. Many suspect that he will start to begin a pro muggle agenda once he gets into office. This accurate or inaccurate belief has been hunting his attempts since he announced his intention to run.
FELICITY EDGECOMBE
Mother of five, Felicity Edgecombe, has been working for the Ministry since the late 1970's. A capable mother with several children at Hogwarts, Edgecombe has successfully raised her children whilst tirelessly serving this country in the Ministry. With experience in various departments across the Ministry, Edgecombe would bring a thorough knowledge of the Ministry to the role of Minister for Magic.
Felicity has been running a family-orientated platform calling for the reform of early childhood education and seeking for the creation of nurseries across the country. With a tough stance on crime and a firm intention on making reforms at Azkaban, Edgecombe hopes to make grand-scale changes across the board. Receiving moderate success, Edgecombe has become a popular figure in the Witch Weekly. Even so critics have pointed out her unwillingness to take a stand on blood issues.
GRACIUS PRITCHARD V
Forty-five year old father of three, Gracius Pritchard is a St. Mungo's board member and well-respected Healer. Although new to politics, Pritchard has been involved in various charities. Reluctant at first about running, Pritchard has not fully committed himself to the process. However, he has made it clear that he will take the position, if the people wish it.
"Keep Britain Pure" has been a common slogan brandished around Pritchard's campaign and has been well met throughout the country. With promises to restrict immigration and limit the inclusion of halfbloods into Hogwarts, many hard-line wizards and witches have called his proposed actions 'extreme' and 'unnecessary', whilst some supporters don't feel he's going far enough. Despite strong support in Hogsmeade, Pritchard is having difficulty growing the numbers in Diagon Alley and other settlements in the South.
THE DARK LORD
The most infamous of the candidates, He Who Must Not Be Named announced his candidacy only a few weeks ago and the buzz around the decision has been electric. Most known for his political campaign and leading the force known as the Death Eaters against rebellious organisations and previous ineffective Ministerial Governments he has been one of Minister Thicknesse’ top advisor since June.
He Who Must Not Be Named's political platform is one of the most well known of all of the candidates. He is a fierce advocate that all muggle influence should be trimmed from society and pureblood advantages should be restored, in fact, many political experts suggest that he has been directly involved in the most recent changes to Ministry policy in the past 18 months. However, his chances at present seem slim with many suggesting his policies and reputation are too polarising.