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The '''Empire of Stomaria''' is a [[micronation]] based in the United Kingdom. It was created by | The '''Empire of Stomaria''' is a [[micronation]] based in the United Kingdom. It was created by Andrew Stott in 2019. | ||
==Andrew Stott== | While Stomaria was initially held in high esteem by the greater micronational community, its reputation suffered after Stott released a series of videos on YouTube criticising the attendees and organizers of [[MicroCon 2023]] and [[MicroCon]] in general. This has led some to ponder whether or not to label Stomaria a "joke" micronation intent on trolling other micronations through social media. | ||
Stomaria is the brainchild of Mr. Andrew Stott, who proclaimed himself Emperor shortly after creating the country. | |||
==Emperor Andrew Stott== | |||
Stomaria is the brainchild of Mr. Andrew Stott, who proclaimed himself Emperor shortly after creating the country. He has cited desire for self-determination and building community as at least part of the reason for Stomaria's creation. | |||
===United People's Party=== | ===United People's Party=== | ||
In | [[File:UPP Logo.png|300px|thumb|Logo of the United People's Party]] | ||
In 2009, Andrew Stott founded the United People's Party (UPP), a short-lived political party in the United Kingdom. Stott's motivation for creating this party was, "a hatred of political extremism." | |||
The UPP claimed to represent "a non-xenophobic form of nationalism." However, by 2012, no one in the UK, including the party members themselves, considered the UPP a serious contender in upcoming elections. It was self-described as "a fusion of left-wing and right-wing values and beliefs." Notably, the party bylaws stated: "All Party Officers are appointed by the Leader [Andrew Stott], who has absolute authority and responsibility within the Party, to ensure that the Party remains internally stable and active." | |||
From 2009 - 2012, three members of the UPP won seats on parish councils, but the party's lead candidate, Alan Valentine, quit the party without actually running for office. | |||
===Patriotic Socialist Party=== | ===Patriotic Socialist Party=== | ||
After the | [[File:Emperor Andrew.jpg|300px|thumb|Picture of Andrew Stott with the Patriotic Socialist Party logo behind him]] | ||
After the failure of the United People's Party, Andrew Stott founded the Patriotic Socialist Party (PSP) on 1 January 2014 as a successor body to the UPP. Two of the party's primary goals were the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union and the abolition of the British monarchy. The PSP was ridiculed by the British press for its seemingly contradictory statements and its bizarre constitution, which included the article: "A Party member who dies or, as far as the Party is concerned, ceases to exist, will no longer be recognised as a Party member." | |||
The PSP participated in several elections in 2014, and was defeated in all but one of them (their candidate won a seat on the Wittering Parish Council). In the Newark Parliamentary by-election, the PSP candidate, Lee Woods, garnered only 18 votes (.05%) coming 11th out of 11 candidates. Most PSP candidates came in last in their elections. | |||
[[File:PSP Logo.jpg|300px|thumb|The PSP party logo]] | |||
Stott resolved to run for election himself in the 2015 Newbury General Election. He used the tagline: "You don't have to hate anyone in order to love your country." Despite telling a local reporter he was "feeling confident" about his chances of winning, Stott came in eighth out of eight candidates, garnering a meager 53 votes (less than 1%). He also lost his £500 election deposit due to his low polling numbers. | |||
==Creation of Stomaria== | ==Creation of Stomaria== | ||
Andrew Stott eventually discovered the [[micronation|micronational]] community and decided to create his own country. Although the official date of Stomaria's foundation is 16 June 2019, Stott registered the domain name stomaria.com a few weeks prior on 24 May 2019. | |||
Its flag uses the emblem of Stott's United People's Party, suggesting Stomaria is a spiritual successor to that organization. | |||
===National goals=== | |||
Stomaria's stated goals are achieving Sovereignty, and creating a community of like-minded projects. It also devotes significant space to fundraising in various forms, mostly through trade using its bullion (Silver Staters) and Stomaria-themed memorabilia. | |||
===Government=== | ===Government=== | ||
After creating Stomaria, Stott declared himself Emperor Andrew. According to their national laws, the Emperor of Stomaria has complete power over Stomaria and is an absolute monarch. The Emperor is surrounded by his Imperial Court which advises him on national matters. | |||
Stomaria consists of multiple states, protectorates, and provinces that make up the greater Empire. | |||
==Exodus of Nations== | |||
On 24 December 2022, two of Stomaria's member states, Bran-Howl and Solacia, abruptly departed the empire and completely ceased their involvement with Stomaria. Emperor Andrew took the opportunity to paint the dispute as a "civil war," although the leaders of Bran-Howl and Solacia characterize their disagreements as merely differences of opinion and not an all-out conflict. | |||
Queen Niamh of the Kingdom of Solacia found herself confused by the extreme nature of Emperor Andrew's reaction and mused on Reddit about his apparent state of mind: | |||
<blockquote> | |||
His Majesty has had his feelings hurt by being "jilted" by two member states on the same day. His actions were not logical, but emotional- illustrating a reason why modern civilizations have embraced systems of democracy to attempt to keep the tempers of heads of state in check... | |||
</blockquote> | |||
==Conflict with the micronational community== | |||
[[File:Stomaria Meme.jpg|350px|thumb|Meme created to ridicule Stomaria's situation]] | |||
On 27 September 2023, Emperor Andrew posted a 23-minute video announcing that he had been invited to attend [[MicroCon 2023]], but he declined the invitation because attending such an event would not benefit Stomaria in any way. He then went on to disparage most of the micronations which have attended previous MicroCons, including the [[Republic of Molossia]], [[Westarctica]], and [[Republic of Slowjamastan|Slowjamastan]], among others. The overwhelming response to this video was outrage at his statements, tone, and attitude. | |||
The following day, the Sultan of Slowjamastan released a music video remixing Emperor Andrew's speech called "Friends Without Benefits." This video was met with widespread acclaim. On 3 October 2022, Emperor Andrew posted a lengthy reply video addressing the outrage and ridicule. During this speech, he further insulted many prominent members of the micronational community, calling out anyone he felt had criticized and mocked him, including at least two individuals who had not weighed in on the matter publicly. Emperor Andrew was further derided for his second video. | |||
After researching Andrew Stott's background, [[Grand Duke Travis]] directed top Westarctican government officials to cease diplomatic contact with any states affiliated with Stomaria. Andrew himself was declared ''persona non grata'' shortly after. | |||
===Non-micronational declaration=== | |||
In December 2022, Stomaria's leader declared Stomaria to no longer be a [[micronation]] because it had risen above the rest of the micronational community. Such declarations have been common throughout the history of micronations are are generally regarded with disdain. As a result of this declaration, their alliance with the [[Isle of Lithua]] was dissolved. | |||
==Sources== | |||
* [https://www.newburytoday.co.uk/news/election-interview-andrew-stott-9173566/ Interview with Andrew during his candidacy] | |||
* [https://www.dewsburyreporter.co.uk/news/patriotic-socialists-have-candidate-2244985 News story on a defeated PSP candidate] | |||
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20141121225843/http://www.patriotic-socialist.org.uk/officers/party-leader PSP website (archived)] | |||
* [http://howiescorner.blogspot.com/2015/04/fringe-2015-patriotic-socialist-party.html Political commentary on the PSP] | |||
* [https://electionresults.parliament.uk/election/2016-05-05/results/Location/Constituency/Newbury Newbury election results] | |||
* [https://www.reddit.com/r/micronations/comments/zuw4hp/in_an_act_of_what_can_only_be_called_cowardice/ Reddit discussion about Bran-Howl and Solacia's departure] | |||
==External links== | |||
* [https://www.facebook.com/slowjamastan/videos/490795526423179 Slowjamastan response "remix"] | |||
* [https://www.stomaria.com/ Stomaria's Official Site] | |||
* [https://twitter.com/psp_sw?lang=en The PSP Twitter Feed] | |||
* [https://micronations.wiki/wiki/Empire_of_Stomaria MicroWiki Article] | |||
[[Category:Micronations]] | [[Category:Micronations]] | ||
Revision as of 18:59, 4 January 2023
| Empire of Stomaria | ||||
| ||||
| Motto "Loyalty - Honour - Courage" | ||||
| Fleet, Hampshire, United Kingdom | ||||
| Official language(s) | English | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short name | Stomaria | |||
| Demonym | Stomarian | |||
| Government | Federal absolute monarchy | |||
| - Emperor | Andrew Stott | |||
| Legislature | Imperial Court | |||
| Established | 16 June 2019 | |||
| Population | 13 (2022 estimate) | |||
| Currency | Stomarian Stater | |||
Official website | ||||
The Empire of Stomaria is a micronation based in the United Kingdom. It was created by Andrew Stott in 2019.
While Stomaria was initially held in high esteem by the greater micronational community, its reputation suffered after Stott released a series of videos on YouTube criticising the attendees and organizers of MicroCon 2023 and MicroCon in general. This has led some to ponder whether or not to label Stomaria a "joke" micronation intent on trolling other micronations through social media.
Emperor Andrew Stott
Stomaria is the brainchild of Mr. Andrew Stott, who proclaimed himself Emperor shortly after creating the country. He has cited desire for self-determination and building community as at least part of the reason for Stomaria's creation.
United People's Party
In 2009, Andrew Stott founded the United People's Party (UPP), a short-lived political party in the United Kingdom. Stott's motivation for creating this party was, "a hatred of political extremism."
The UPP claimed to represent "a non-xenophobic form of nationalism." However, by 2012, no one in the UK, including the party members themselves, considered the UPP a serious contender in upcoming elections. It was self-described as "a fusion of left-wing and right-wing values and beliefs." Notably, the party bylaws stated: "All Party Officers are appointed by the Leader [Andrew Stott], who has absolute authority and responsibility within the Party, to ensure that the Party remains internally stable and active."
From 2009 - 2012, three members of the UPP won seats on parish councils, but the party's lead candidate, Alan Valentine, quit the party without actually running for office.
Patriotic Socialist Party
After the failure of the United People's Party, Andrew Stott founded the Patriotic Socialist Party (PSP) on 1 January 2014 as a successor body to the UPP. Two of the party's primary goals were the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union and the abolition of the British monarchy. The PSP was ridiculed by the British press for its seemingly contradictory statements and its bizarre constitution, which included the article: "A Party member who dies or, as far as the Party is concerned, ceases to exist, will no longer be recognised as a Party member."
The PSP participated in several elections in 2014, and was defeated in all but one of them (their candidate won a seat on the Wittering Parish Council). In the Newark Parliamentary by-election, the PSP candidate, Lee Woods, garnered only 18 votes (.05%) coming 11th out of 11 candidates. Most PSP candidates came in last in their elections.
Stott resolved to run for election himself in the 2015 Newbury General Election. He used the tagline: "You don't have to hate anyone in order to love your country." Despite telling a local reporter he was "feeling confident" about his chances of winning, Stott came in eighth out of eight candidates, garnering a meager 53 votes (less than 1%). He also lost his £500 election deposit due to his low polling numbers.
Creation of Stomaria
Andrew Stott eventually discovered the micronational community and decided to create his own country. Although the official date of Stomaria's foundation is 16 June 2019, Stott registered the domain name stomaria.com a few weeks prior on 24 May 2019.
Its flag uses the emblem of Stott's United People's Party, suggesting Stomaria is a spiritual successor to that organization.
National goals
Stomaria's stated goals are achieving Sovereignty, and creating a community of like-minded projects. It also devotes significant space to fundraising in various forms, mostly through trade using its bullion (Silver Staters) and Stomaria-themed memorabilia.
Government
After creating Stomaria, Stott declared himself Emperor Andrew. According to their national laws, the Emperor of Stomaria has complete power over Stomaria and is an absolute monarch. The Emperor is surrounded by his Imperial Court which advises him on national matters.
Stomaria consists of multiple states, protectorates, and provinces that make up the greater Empire.
Exodus of Nations
On 24 December 2022, two of Stomaria's member states, Bran-Howl and Solacia, abruptly departed the empire and completely ceased their involvement with Stomaria. Emperor Andrew took the opportunity to paint the dispute as a "civil war," although the leaders of Bran-Howl and Solacia characterize their disagreements as merely differences of opinion and not an all-out conflict.
Queen Niamh of the Kingdom of Solacia found herself confused by the extreme nature of Emperor Andrew's reaction and mused on Reddit about his apparent state of mind:
His Majesty has had his feelings hurt by being "jilted" by two member states on the same day. His actions were not logical, but emotional- illustrating a reason why modern civilizations have embraced systems of democracy to attempt to keep the tempers of heads of state in check...
Conflict with the micronational community
On 27 September 2023, Emperor Andrew posted a 23-minute video announcing that he had been invited to attend MicroCon 2023, but he declined the invitation because attending such an event would not benefit Stomaria in any way. He then went on to disparage most of the micronations which have attended previous MicroCons, including the Republic of Molossia, Westarctica, and Slowjamastan, among others. The overwhelming response to this video was outrage at his statements, tone, and attitude.
The following day, the Sultan of Slowjamastan released a music video remixing Emperor Andrew's speech called "Friends Without Benefits." This video was met with widespread acclaim. On 3 October 2022, Emperor Andrew posted a lengthy reply video addressing the outrage and ridicule. During this speech, he further insulted many prominent members of the micronational community, calling out anyone he felt had criticized and mocked him, including at least two individuals who had not weighed in on the matter publicly. Emperor Andrew was further derided for his second video.
After researching Andrew Stott's background, Grand Duke Travis directed top Westarctican government officials to cease diplomatic contact with any states affiliated with Stomaria. Andrew himself was declared persona non grata shortly after.
Non-micronational declaration
In December 2022, Stomaria's leader declared Stomaria to no longer be a micronation because it had risen above the rest of the micronational community. Such declarations have been common throughout the history of micronations are are generally regarded with disdain. As a result of this declaration, their alliance with the Isle of Lithua was dissolved.
Sources
- Interview with Andrew during his candidacy
- News story on a defeated PSP candidate
- PSP website (archived)
- Political commentary on the PSP
- Newbury election results
- Reddit discussion about Bran-Howl and Solacia's departure