Adam I's Christmas Broadcast, 2020
25th December 2020, County of Maternia
My dear citizens, I extend my Christmas greetings to you all.
It is at the forefront of my mind that you are listening to me now at the end of what has been for many of us the most tumultuous and stressful year that we can remember. This awful pandemic has resulted in Adammia's first ever official state of emergency, the cancellation of events close to our hearts such as Foundation Day, and most importantly, we have been prevented from being with our friends and families. For myself, the end of my time at the University of Birmingham was cut abruptly short. Adammia's politics has been forced to adapt to an entirely online, decentralised model, ushering in the beginning of the Third Era of our Empire's history.
We have responded to this crisis well. Whilst in the neighbouring United Kingdom local elections were postponed until next year, our elections went ahead as scheduled in October. After a series of Facebook-based sessions, I was pleased to chair the first ever Zoom-based meetings of both the House of Citizens and the Ruling Council during the past few weeks, restoring some of the magic of our lively face-to-face debates. It must also be recognised that there remain zero confirmed cases of coronavirus in our Empire. Our government urged Adammians to follow NHS advice, and you have done so well. We must not become complacent, of course – the virus, especially the newer strain, can tear through families and communities like wildfire. However, we are now at the beginning of the end. We expect that the first Adammians will be vaccinated against the virus within the next couple of months. Whilst I have only seen three of my citizens outside of my family since March, I expect that I will see many more of you in 2021.
Furthermore, circumstances outside of the virus have also moved in Adammia's favour. In September, I took up a full-time position as a software developer at pension consultancy Barnett Waddingham. Not only has this salary allowed me to move into my own home which has been claimed as the new colony of Lagentia, but it has greatly expanded my capacity to provide the Sovereign Grant in the upcoming Budget. My contribution will be a pledge to provide an Adammic flag for every province.
Although impeded by the ongoing crisis, Adammia's political, economic and cultural development has continued. Of the three bills that have been submitted since the election, none were written by myself – an unprecedented example of initiative from both government and opposition politicians. Our GDP has soared to record heights due to the success of our investment fund. And going into 2021, you should all continue to expect great things from this nation. As we continue to get to grips with a post-COVID world, we will hit more milestones in our quest to become a recognised nation. Watch out for the first Adammic book to be published digitally next year, describing the history of our Empire over the past seven years.
After what has been a challenging and distressing year for all of us, I want to leave you with a message of hope and optimism. As every day goes by, and more and more of our most vulnerable are vaccinated against the virus, we get one day closer to the moment that myself and Prime Minister Saunders agree to end the state of emergency, and mark my words that when that day comes, this Empire will see a celebration unlike anything we have done before. For now, though, I encourage you all to enjoy this Christmas responsibly with your families. Seek wisdom and honour, and long live the Empire.