God's Crusade

Part Thirty-Eight

"Can you give me an idea of what sort of changes you plan to make first in your new department, Minister?" Angus Regan asked, placing his voice recorder on the desk in front of Rob Sullivan, to make sure of his facts later. He had a notebook open too, for his thoughts and with questions written down as an aide memoire.

"Well obviously Angus, the department is in great shape," Robin Sullivan smiled, but the journalist still wrote down the word 'nervous' in his notes to describe his interviewee's demeanour. "Kieran Radcliffe had many years here, and we have an incredible base to build on for the future."

"Such as?"

"Well, I am concerned about the number of unqualified guardians working with our young maidens. I do not think there is anything sinister here...it is just human nature to save a little money where we can, but apart from the dangers of some unscrupulous people illegally deferring their national service...either by working as a guardian or registering as having one...our maidens need educating properly if they are to play their full part in the renaissance and properly qualified guardians are essential to that process. So we are going to legislate against this...we all need to take our responsibilities to society seriously Angus."

"To be honest, I never expected to hear you proposing something like this? You have had the reputation of a moderate, someone who would be more likely to let the market regulate itself...leaving people to make their own choices?"

"I remain committed to the existing deferral regulations...I still think that is where personal choice comes into things. However, I will not condone people doing such harm in an effort to get around the laws, Angus. Every guardian in this country is spared national service because of the important roles they take on, but they must be properly qualified to carry out those roles. I am in negotiations with all the relevant colleges to remove that deferral altogether...I personally believe national service should be a prelude to formal guardian training in the future. I would envisage the guardian colleges recruiting suitable candidates from the Order who would then have a more rounded experience of living in God's love. They would also be a little more mature...this is the second phase and we can afford to have a better system. We deserve a better system because we know that when our young people do their National Service they do good and return to society as better people. I just want to make sure we close all the loopholes."

"So you are saying that the only way to defer National Service in the long term would be to marry?"

"Which tens of thousands of young women do every year...Angus, this is about the family of course...it has always been about the strength of the family unit," Robin continued, his skill as a politician keeping him resolutely on message, regardless of his personal thoughts. "Yes I am moderate in all things...I hope...and within the boundaries of our decent society everyone should be free to do as they please...but a good education strengthens the family, and for our young women that must be either from a properly qualified guardian in preparation for marriage or as a member of the Order..."

۩

Alistair Forbes rolled off Mena and reached for his beeping iPhone. It was late, but he was still pleased to get the message. It was a picture message, a clear shot of a familiar face in a position even Alistair had certainly never tried before. He doubted if the woman beneath the respected Democratic senator was very comfortable. Pulling on his robe he walked out of the room, allowing Miss Robinson in to see to his wife. He never ever let her sleep outside her sleeping gown, but she would need cleaning up and calming down first, so he needed to give the guardian some time with her. By the time he reached the balcony and some fresh air, he had forwarded the picture on to an email address he understood to be discreetly registered in the Bahamas or somewhere equally untraceable.