British Empire

The Governance of the British Empire Act

Preamble: Know Ye, that We, unto the honour of Almighty God, and for the salvation of the souls of our Progenitors and Successors to the advancement of Holy Church and amendment of our Realm, of our meer and free will, have given and granted to all Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Earls, Barons, and to all freemen of this our Realm, these Liberties following, to be kept in our British Empire for ever.

Article 1: Of His Sovereign Majesty the King of the British Empire. His Sovereign Majesty the King holds and possesses the powers of the Royal Prerogative as follows, • The appointment and dismissal of ministers; • Clemency and pardon; • The award of honours; • The declaration of war; • The declaration of an emergency; • The grant of Charters of Incorporation (the creation of new institutional bodies); • The issue of membership to the British Empire; • The expulsion of a foreign national from the British Empire; • The creation of new courts (for legal matters); • The appointment of the Prime Minister; • The publication of all statutes, legislative instruments and Orders-in-Council (legislation that has received Royal approval); existing and new; • The appointment of Royal Commissions and Officers for any purposes; • The choice of the numbering of monarchs; • The power to order a subject not to leave the realm; • The accreditation of diplomats; • The granting of Sovereign Immunity (immunity from prosecution for a body under its protection); • The negotiation of treaties; • Duty to uphold the defence of the realm; • Duty to keep the peace of the realm; • Right to immunity from prosecution in the courts

Article 2: Of the Viceroys and Governor-Generals of the British Empire. The Viceroys and Governor-Generals are Crown representatives over the Princely rulers of the nations subject to British governance. The Viceroys are appointed by the Crown over bands of nation strength; 0-2000, 2001-4000 and so on. The Viceroys have powers to propose and impose legislation in the following areas: • Taxation • DEFCON status • Threat level Viceroys also conduct foreign affairs on behalf of the Empire, liaising with other alliances and overseeing attempts to extend British dominion. Viceroys are appointed for renewable 5 month terms.

Article 3: Of the Viceregal Councils. The Viceroy and Governor-Generals function within Council; that is to say all decisions must be agreed upon by the Council first. The Council consists of 4 members, 2 chosen by the Sovereign and 2 by the Viceroy. Viceregal Councils exist for 5 months, changing at the accession of a new Viceroy.

Article 4: Of the Right Honourable Prime Minister of the British Empire. The Prime Minister of the British Empire is drawn from Parliament and appointed by the Sovereign. The function of the Prime Minister is to exercise Royal Prerogatives in the areas of: • The appointment and dismissal of ministers; • The publication of all statutes, legislative instruments and Orders-in-Council (legislation that has received Royal approval); existing and new; • The negotiation of treaties.

These powers can still be exercised by the monarch, and if that is the case the monarch’s decision takes precedence. The Prime Minister is also responsible for the programme of legislation and will draft the King’s Speech at the opening of each Parliament, outlining that programme. It is then the Prime Minister’s duty to push that legislative programme through Parliament.

Article 5: Of Parliament. Parliament is legislative body of the Empire consisting of the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The House of Lords contains the Viceroys and Governor-Generals and any other Crown appointees. The House of Commons is composed of elected members from the heads of the nation states under British dominion. Each nation strength grouping of 0-1000, 1001-2000 and so on, are granted an MP. The Viceroys are then responsible for the organisation of elections under a first-past-the-post system to elect a Parliament for a 5 month term, or until the monarch dissolves Parliament. Parliament debates legislation and votes on its passage; legislative bills must be approved by the Commons and the Lords before they can be passed to the monarch for Royal Assent. Parliament is not limited in its legislative remit and can discuss and propose bills on anything. The House of Commons as the elected chamber holds precedence and can bypass the House of Lords if the House of Lords rejects a bill twice unless said bill is to change the constitutional framework of the Empire.

Article 6: Of the Cabinet. The Cabinet is the office brought together by the Prime Minister to aid in the task of governance. To this body is appointed ministers with portfolios decided by the Prime Minister; said ministers are then responsible for overseeing legislative proposals for that area. Ministers are, by convention, MPs.

Article 7: Of the Privy Council. The Privy Council consists of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Viceroys and Governor-Generals and any other Crown appointees. It is a body that can be summoned by the monarch in an advisory capacity.

Article 8: Of the Supremacy of Parliament. Any decisions made by Act of Parliament are binding on all member states regardless of the policies of the Viceroys and Governor-Generals.

Article 9: Of Succession. The monarch will appoint an heir apparent whilst still on the throne, this person will take the title Prince. They have no formal role but will succeed the monarch upon their death or abdication.

Article 10: Of Foreign Policy. Foreign policy is decided by the monarch, Parliament and the Viceroys and Governor-Generals. However, the general stance of the British Empire is against tech raiding of any kind and in favour of amiable diplomatic relations.

Article 11: Of the State of Emergency. If the monarch declares a state of emergency, reserve powers are afforded to him and the Crown representatives. The Viceroys and Governor-Generals take precedence over Parliament. A state of emergency requires the entire Empire to cease spending and move into DEFCON 1 and a severe threat level. Assessments of the continued necessity for a state of emergency are made by the Privy Council at the end of each day it is used.