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+<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:800px">
+=== The Fourth Amendment - The Democratic Federation of the British Empire ===
+<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
+This amendment to the Charter of the British Empire was proposed to fill the gaps in the current
+“settlement system” by overhauling how power is devolved to local administrations. Through the
+implementation of local elections, aid systems, regional law enforcement, the decentralisation of
+infrastructure spending and overall creation of a standard for good local governance this
+amendment will encourage accountability throughout local leadership, strengthen our federation
+and overall aim to better the “Empire” and its citizens.
+This amendment (upon its passage) renders section “3.1 Governors” from the second amendment of
+the charter null and void.
+====Section 1 – Settlements of the British Empire====
+Settlements of the British Empire are distinct territories that have either been created by individual
+citizens or have been admitted into the crew. Such recognised & incorporated territories are not
+granted the same rights as provinces (states) of the British Empire (those rights will be outlined in
+section 2) and thus the federal government has a greater responsibility over them as defined by
+federal law. However, these settlements will nevertheless still be granted limited autonomy to
+address the following issues:
+• Self-governance
+• Local infrastructure development
+• Basic economic management
+Should a citizen wish to receive the rank of “Governor” (regardless of which level), they must send a
+request to the minister responsible for recruitment affairs; the minister possesses limited discretion
+on who may become a “Governor” but in most circumstances they must follow the requirements
+outlined below.
+'''Settlement Requirements'''
+Baron (Village – Governor I)
+• Requirements: 1x agricultural development, 3x residential dwellings, 1x notice board,
+x commercial/industrial/non-profit buildings (inn/shop/brewery/church/port/library/stable)
+Additionally, 3x residents including the Baron must actively live in the settlement. Rank of Deckhand
+or above is acceptable.
+Viscount (Town – Governor II)
+• Requirements: 3x agricultural developments, 5x residential dwellings, 1x notice board,
+x square or park, 1x town hall, 1x fort (must be verified to be siege-proof by a federal government
+minister or a representative of the federal government), 2x commercial/industrial/non-profit
+buildings (inn/shop/brewery/church/port/library/stable)
+Additionally, 4x citizens including the Viscount must actively live in the settlement. 1x Sailor or
+above, 2x Cadet or above, and 1x Deckhand or above are required.
+Earl (City – Governor III)
+• Requirements: 4x agricultural developments, 6x residential dwellings, 1x notice board,
+x squares or parks, 1x city hall, 1x fort (must be verified to be siege-proof by a federal government
+minister or a representative of the federal government), 3x commercial/industrial/non-profit
+buildings (inn/shop/brewery/church/port/library/stable), 1x train station connected to the nether
+realm (optional but a bonus)
+Additionally, 5x citizens including the Earl must actively live in the settlement. 2x Sailor or above, 2x
+Cadet or above, 1x Deckhand or above.
+====Section 2 – Organisation of Provinces====
+Settlements of a similar geographical location or a “city” (as outlined in section 1) may opt to request
+the creation of a province through the federal government. Provinces (States) of the British Empire
+are incorporated and autonomous territories of the crew. Led by an elected “Premier” (the title itself
+can be changed to suit the province’s desires), states are the key to empowering local Governors and
+the citizens living within these locations. It should be noted that the Capital of the British Empire or
+any other federally owned territory (as defined by the federal parliament) can never request to
+become a province unless the charter is amended to allow such an action to occur.
+'''2.1 Formation of Provinces'''
+For a “city”, a pair or group of settlements to become a province (state), a chosen representative
+must first contact the Prime Minister, Vice Prime Minister or Home Secretary (specifically the
+minister responsible for domestic affairs) with the requested province name to gain permission; a
+“city” that wishes to apply for provincial status (statehood) must undergo further scrutiny by the
+federal government to determine whether it could function without constant federal assistance.
+Once permission is granted, the representative must work with the Prime Minister, Vice Prime
+Minister or Home Secretary to determine the initial borders of the new province. Within 7 days of
+the creation of the new province, it is required to initialise an election following section 2.3. It should
+be noted that any member of the federal parliament may decide to conduct their own investigation
+into any request, scrutinise any decision made by the government and call for a vote in parliament
+to block any attempt the government makes to create a province.
+'''2.2 Provincial Responsibilities'''
+It is the responsibility of the provincial Premier and their government to ensure the welfare of the
+residents (in coordination with the federal government) and promote progress through government
+projects and expansion. The provincial Premier, in coordination with local military officers of the
+federal government, is also responsible for ensuring the safety of citizens regardless of their
+situation. While the province is responsible for local affairs (such as for example, drafting its own
+local charter or deciding whether to dissolve itself) that the federal parliament should normally have
+no business involving itself in (unless invited to do so), the Premier’s office and the provincial
+government must always cooperate with the federal government. To be able to do so the Premier
+will be allowed to sit in the federal parliament and have access to all parliamentary discussions
+(regardless of platform) but will not be allowed to cast a vote in parliament on any matter; however
+there is one exception to this rule, should parliament try and pass legislation that will effectively
+undermine the decisions made by a provincial (state) government(s)/legislature(s), the Premier(s)
+from the province(s) in question will have the right to veto said legislation and submit it to a public
+vote in their respective province(s) where only a simple majority is required to pass or block a bill. It
+must be noted that the decision made by one province will not determine the outcome for any other
+province involved.
+Regarding the matter of foreign relations, it will be up to the Foreign Secretary (specifically the
+minister responsible for foreign/external affairs), on behalf of the federal government, to decide
+whether an embassy (or equivalent) should be established and where it will be located. No province,
+settlement or any other territory of the crew shall have the authority to make such decisions;
+however, the federal government must cooperate with local governments (and vice versa) when
+implementing its foreign affairs agenda.
+Lastly, a province must not legislate on matters which are purely and indisputably the domain of the
+Parliament of the British Empire, the supreme (democratic) legislative body of this crew such as
+foreign/external affairs.
+'''2.3 Provincial Elections and Recommendations'''
+Every 3 months (at most) beginning on the first election of the province, it is required that the
+current provincial government turn to the federal Election Commissioner to hold an election. Once
+the Election Commissioner announces the start of an election, local citizens looking to run for the
+position of Premier (or equivalent) have 96 hours to announce their running. After this period of 96
+hours is up, the running parties have 72 hours to campaign and rally support before the voting
+begins. Following the 72 hours of campaigning, the Election Commissioner must start a vote lasting
+hours. At the end of the 96-hour period, the Election Commissioner must count the votes and
+announce the winner based on the province’s electoral laws; if such laws do not exist then the
+Election Commissioner must determine the winner based on who has a mandate from over 50
+percent of casted (legal) votes. The new government comes into power 48 hours following the
+Election Commissioner’s announcement. The succeeding Premier must create a cabinet of up to 7
+individuals, those of which must be active residents of the province and be fit for service (as defined
+by provincial/state law). A province has the right to create its own election commission, but it must
+work in coordination with the federal Election Commissioner who has the final say in all election
+disputes.
+All announcements made pertaining to any election and even public votes/referendums must
+include a date and an internationally recognised (from the real world) time-zone.
+Lastly, the following are ‘suggested roles’ (ultimately, the Premier has the discretion to decide what
+roles to create or discontinue) and their responsibilities:
+Provincial Minister of Infrastructure – Tasked with facilitating all province-led infrastructure or
+construction projects.
+Provincial Minister of Justice – Works with local law enforcement to uphold all laws of the British
+Empire and coordinates efforts with local military forces to ensure the security of citizens.
+Provincial Minister of the Treasury – Manages the provincial resources and distributes them to
+other departments as needed. Works to collect goods for future use and mobilises workers to assist.
+'''2.4 Cooperation between Settlements and Provinces'''
+If a settlement is part of a province, they are legally obligated to cooperate with the Premier’s office
+and the state’s government/legislature concerning defence, law enforcement, infrastructure
+projects and other general government operations. Though, the territory of a settlement is still
+owned by its respective Governor, meaning that Barons, Viscounts, and Earls have the authority
+(within reason) to manage their lands how they wish.
+'''2.5 Representation in the Federal Parliament'''
+To reiterate, all Premiers have a right to sit as members of the federal parliament. This right
+continues to be extended to Earls as laid out in “section 5” of the second amendment; however, if an
+Earl decides to incorporate their settlement(s) into a province they will lose their seat in parliament
+because the Premier of the province in question will become their representative instead.
+Lastly, it should be noted that a Member of Parliament’s voting rights is determined by their highest
+parliamentary/government rank (role).
+Amendment authored 28th of March 2021 and passed 8th of April 2021
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