Altamont To Switch Parties

Conservative senator will now identify as a Nationalist

GRASSADELLA CITY, DMG--Conservative Senator Brian Altamont announced Friday he will leave the Conservative party and join the opposing Nationalist party.

In a written statement, Altamont said the Conservative party's "abandonment of its core values" led him to switch to the other side.

"The Conservative party used to believe and stand for personal freedom and liberty. Unfortunately, today, the party has reversed its position on civil freedoms. The Conservative party of today is not the party it once was. And because of that, I can no longer be affiliated with the Conservative party," the statement said.

In an interview with GBC Radio host John Hockney, Altamont explained his decision to leave the party.

"John, I believe that people should be able to walk through the airport without getting frisked by security. I believe women should have more say about their bodies than the government. I believe gay and lesbian couples should be able to marry because they love each other. I believe prisoners of war should be given basic human rights. These are all things I deeply believe in, and the Conservative party is on the wrong side on all of these issues.

"I've found that after 16 years of identifying as a Conservative, I can no longer continue doing so. My view on the issues lines up more with the Nationalist party, and I think I would be better serving myself, my supporters, and frankly all Damoignites by making the switch," Altamont said.

Altamont's defection came as little surprise to fellow Conservatives. The former businessman-turned-senator has had a liberal voting record, and has often openly chided his fellow Conservatives. Over the past two years, many CNS lawmakers have disapproved of Altamont's alliance with NAT members on significant pieces of legislation, including immigration quotas, foreign prisons, and partial-birth abortion.

"I'm not surprised Senator Altamont made that decision. I agree with him...I think his positions on the issues do line up more with the Nationalist party, and I think he will be accepted there," Sen. George Landers (CEA) told the GBC Radio.

Another Conservative lawmaker, who asked not to be named, told STAR-Radio, "I never really liked [him], because he voted with the Nationalists on every issue of importance, and he was more critical of the Conservative party than the Nationalists were."

Altamont assured Hockney his defection will not change his beliefs.

"I'm still the same person. Brian Altamont hasn't changed. The Conservative party has changed, and that's why I'm leaving."

House Minority Leader Sen. Shay Robertson (N-DMG) said Altamont will be "welcomed with open arms."

"We are excited to welcome Senator Altamont into our party, and we welcome his ideas and are pleased to call him one of our own."

Altamont's defection will now switch the balance of power to the Nationalist party, which will hold a slim 36-35 majority. However, special elections in Biereland, East Deschire, and Wellington later this month will likely reverse that slight majority.