British Empire: Difference between revisions

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Added the fourth amendment
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=== The Fourth Amendment - The Democratic Federation of the British Empire ===
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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,
1x 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,
1x 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,
2x 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
96 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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