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Lord Edmond Grey had been watching the proceeding silently over the last few days, making judgements over his potential alliances for the coming future. A new movement among the Lords, led by the infamous Lord Mountbatten had been gathering weight and credibility for a dangerously long time now.
As a matter of the fact, this new alliance of forward thinking politicians was now in a position to threaten Prime Minister Worthington himself. As Secretary of State for Trade and Industry he could see the shift of power and was currently embroiled in mental turmoil. Should he turn to join the Constitution's supporters and Mountbatten; or remaining staunchly alongside Worthington and the remaining Cabinet to defend the reigning Government? He had listened to Lord Canning. He had seen the mistakes made by Worthington over the previous days. His mind was swayed.
The hall had been experiencing a brief lull as the assembled men discussed matters privately among themselves, a brief cease-fire among the boiling political battle that would have othewise been raging unchecked. He slowly rose to he feet.
"the House recognises Lord Sir Edmond Grey." Various heads swiveled to watch him owlishly.
"I have held the post of Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for four years now - a member of Worthington's Party for longer yet. During my time with the Party, I have seen periods of economic growth and expansion unrivaled by any other period of our history. Unfortunately Bretonia is now tied by the fetters of war.
"When the Kusari onslaught fell upon our borders we felt the impact on the market and in our pockets. Directly due to legislation enacted by our Prime Minister, production on Leeds has fallen by 12% and shipping from Borderworld Exports and other licensed corporations by 15%.
"During this time of war, these mistakes have been critical and have allowed the Kusari forces to encroach closer to our heart. Even now skirmishes are being fought around Glasgow Outpost in Leeds itself, perilously close to Planet Leeds itself!"
There was a sudden uproar from Worthington's loyalists as they realised what direction this speech was taking. There were calls of 'tratior' booming clearly from some of the younger Lords. Grey closed his eyes and waited for the commotion to be called to an end by the Speaker. When the verbal tirrade had died down to uncontented murmering, he continued.
"Due to the events and actions I have witnessed, enacted by an unprepared and unorganised government - mistakes that have cost an uncountable number of lives, billions in lost revenue and decades of progress - I am here-by resigning from my position in a Bretonia led by Prime Minister Worthington.
"I believe our only hope for salvation, as stated by Lord Canning, is a unified Government as would be brought about by the afore mentioned Constitution. Lord Mountbatten, while employing... Unconventional tactics during his presence in these Halls, has initiated a chain of events that is very much necessary for the continued survival of this House as we know it."
He then sat down, looking physically exhausted. there was an uproar as Worthington's loyalists jeered and booed and Mountbatten's supporters tried to shout them down. On the other side of the hall Grey met Canning's eyes, who nodded at him in a sign of mutual respect.
Lord Mountbatten couldn't believe his good fortune. With his proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill, Prime Minister Worthington had damaged his own position nearly to the breaking point. He had already lost the support of a large portion of Parliament, two of his Cabinet ministers, as well as a few of his lesser Ministers. As the debate continued, Prime Minister Worthington's base crumbled further and further, and soon he might lose his Parliamentary majority. Lord Mountbatten stood to address the House of Lords.
My Lords, over the last several days our Government has been bitterly divided over the issue of a Constitution. The majority of our Parliament, both here and in the Commons, have indicated their overwhelming support of this issue. Despite such obvious approval, however, opponents to the Constitution have prolonged this needless debate with useless measures, such as the Constitutional Amendment Bill. That such a dangerous delaying tactic would be suggested in a time of crisis simply proves the unsuitability of the current leadership to lead.
The time has come to put an end to this dangerous stalling, and the bickering that has divided us all, and brought our government to a grinding halt. It is time that we come together, and lead Bretonia through the dangers she faces, and into a grander future!
I move that the Question now be put!
Lord Mountbatten returned to his seat, and waited while one of his allies seconded the motion of Closure. All that remained to do now was tally the votes, and to see where things truly stand.
As the House moved to divide, there was a great deal of commotion. Several of Worthington's government openly crossed the floor to join Mountbatten's supportes queuing to vote in the "No" lobby on the left side, whilst considerably more simply walked out of the building looking hurried and flustered, without a second glance behind them, clearly preferring not to be present for the vote at all. Those remaining on the government side all clustered around the Foreign Secretary Lord Osborne, Duke of Leeds, Worthington's cousin and main leader in the House of Lords. They were looking increasingly desparate as it became evident that many of their supporters were simply walking out on them. The Duke himself was red in the face, bellowing loudly at the backs of his deserting allies, and attempted to forcibly restrain one of his Junior Ministers from crossing the floor of the lobby, forcing the Stewards to intervene and seperate the two men.
Finally, after several more such incidents, and a good deal of shouting and general jostling, those Lords who had not walked out on the proceedings resumed to take their seats in the Chamber, waiting for the results to be tallied. The benches on the government's side were looking conspicuously devoid of many of their key ministers. The Duke of Leeds sat in the middle of the front row, frowning and in deep conversation with Lord Halloran and Lord Barrington. The Lord Chancellor, Lord Russell, was notably absent. Both Lord Ralston and Sir Edmond Grey say alongside a slightly smiling Mountbatten and a stone-faced Lord Canning firmly on the front row opposition benches. Finally, the 2 tellers entered the hall, and bowed to the Lord Speaker. Silence decended.
"The Ayes to the Right, Sixty Six. The Nos to the Left, One Hundred and Forty Three." A rapid murmuring of conversation started all around, as the note displaying the results was handed up to the Lord Speaker for confirmation.
"The Ayes to the Right, Sixty Six. The Nos to the Left, One Hundred and Forty Three. I declare the Nos have it. Motion not passed!"
The moment that the Lord Speaker had finished, a huge roar erupted from the packed opposition benches. They had defeated the Bill by a huge margin, more than anyone had expected. Those quick on mental maths realised that even considering the 39 abstentions, mostly from Worthington's side, the government had lost its majority. 143 votes was enough to give Mountbatten a firm majority in the Lords, and no doubt the strongly progressive Commons was even more affected. Worthington was finished for sure.
As the various Lords jostled one another in leaving the House, a white-faced Duke of Leeds picked up his comms device to make the call to his cousin, who he knew would have been watching the result. As he did so, a few people noticed Lord Barrington trying to inconspicuously slip away from him to join the crowd of Mountbatten's supporters heading for the exit. There was no recovery from this. The government had fallen.
Lord Worthington, you are requested to attend us in our private offices in the Winter Palace at 9:32 sharp, tomorrow morning. [font=Comic Sans Ms]Carnia
Deliver to the office of Lord Mountbatten:
Lord Mountbatten, you are invited to attend us in the Gala Hall of the Winter Palace at 9:48, tomorrow morning. [font=Comic Sans Ms]Carnia
***
9:32, Carina's Office.
Lord Worthington arrived on time, as requested, slightly harried and downtrodden. It had been an awfully rough run for him. She offered him tea, he accepted. Of course, the queen was in a hurry. She was always in a hurry, one wondered what stimulants she was taking. Her statement was brief.
"Worthington, do understand that you are not particularly at fault. Its a meatgrinder of a job, and it chews up anyone who sits in that chair for too long. I'm sure you saw this coming, and I'm sure you understand. At 9:48 today, I will have your government replaced with the current popular government, in the Gala Hall. You're welcome to attend. This isn't an exile, nor is it a punishment. Its just time for a change."
***
Even an invitation, extended from Carina's office, carries the force of command. Of course Mountbatten had arrived. She gestured, he came to stand beside her, and she said simply:
"This is a time for action, not deliberation. While a new government would of course develop out of the current controversy in due time, we do not have such time. As such, Lord Mountbatten is granted the role of Prime Minister, and requested to form a new and actionable Government."
The opposition was in disarray. The Queen was in play, and in full support of Mountbatten. She'd deposed Worthington and dissolved his government, leaving only the popular representatives. As Mountbatten's government was pushed through, it became clear that a shadow government had been formed, waiting for the word. Not a Coup, of course, but a legal, peaceful transfer of power, voted on by each house and receiving a solid majority.
Carina's new government would be led by Prime Minister George Mountbatten, who would replace James Worthington, and to his cabinet positions, Lord Anthony Grenville was appointed Home Secretary, replacing Henry Palmerston, to the Chancellery of the Exchequer Lord Edward Marlborough, replacing Edward Castile Carlile, as the Foreign Secretary Lord Charles Canning, replacing Lord Francis Osborne, Duke of Leeds, Lord David Russel was replaced by Lord Reginald Walpole as Lord Chancellor. Lord Sir Edmund Grey retained his position as The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, as did Defense Minister Lord James Ralston.
The new cabinet have enacted the following document:
Governing Constitutional Document of the Realm and Empire of Bretonia
Contents: 1. The Realm and Empire of Bretonia 2. The Monarch
- Within Bretonia
- Within the Empire
- Royal Powers
-Style 3. Parliament
- House of Commons
- House of Lords
- Her Majesty's Government
- Government Departments 4. Bretonian Armed Forces
- The Admiralty Board
- The Defence Minister
- The Fleet Admiral 5. The Bretonian Police Authority
- Duty to Act
- Writ of Customs
- Writs of Authority
- Writ of Power
- Writ of Licensure
- Bretonian Royal Court 6. Nationalised Corporations
- Bowex
- BMM 7. Foreign Relations 8. Royal Titles
- Honours
- Peerages 9. Constitutional Amendments
(10.) Player Roles
Article I
The Realm of Bretonia is defined as comprising the Stars of New London, Leeds, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Manchester, Dublin, Salisbury, Poole, Lewis, Londonderry, Chester, Dundee, and Inverness, the territories of all planets and other bodies in orbit around said Stars, and all space within such Star Systems, radiating out to a distance of 1000K in every direction from the orbital centre of the systems. All such territory is under the full jurisdiction of the Laws of Bretonia and this Constitution, as enforced by official agents of Her Majesty's Government.
In addition the Monarch of Bretonia claims personal sovereignty over the Stars of Orkney, Tau 31, 23 and 29, and their respective Star Systems as Empress of Tau, and Omega 3 and 50 as Queen of the Kingdom of the Near Omegas. Whilst these systems do not form part of the territory of the Realm of Bretonia, the Monarch's rule over said territories is nevertheless governed by this Bretonian Constitution. Their status is that of Royal Dominions, governed by specific decrees of Her Majesty's Government, but excluded from the jurisdiction of the Laws of Bretonia. The Monarch's rule in these Dominions is to be enforced and maintained by Her Majesty's Bretonian Armed Forces.
The Independent Worlds of Magellan and Cortez have a separate status to the Dominions as Protectorates of the Realm of Bretonia and the Republic of Liberty. Instead of being governed by the Bretonian Constitution, they are governed according to the Articles laid out in the Treaty of Curacao.
Article II Section 1 - Bretonia
The Monarch of Bretonia reigns from the moment of succession until their death or official abdication at their own discretion. Succession occurs instantly at the moment of death of the previous Monarch, and does not rely on the coronation. Succession is by male-preference primogeniture. The line of succession therefore proceeds with male heirs (and their descendants) always before female heirs (and their descendants), and older children (and their descendants) before younger children (and their descendants). Illegitimate Children are excluded from the succession, with subsequent marriage of their parents not altering this status. Under the Act of Settlement, 810 A.S. people born Kusari nationals, or who marry Kusari nationals are also excluded from the line of succession, in order to prevent the Imperial Family of Kusari ever ascending to the Throne of Bretonia (previously the Emperor of Kusari was 32nd in line to the Throne thanks to his paternal grandmother being a daughter of King George VI).
Within the Realm of Bretonia the Monarch holds the position of Head of State. The Crown is the body from which all executive power is derived, and all legal judgements are made in the name of the Crown, criminals cases being convened by the Crown Prosecution Service. The Monarch is the nominal head of the Bretonian Armed Forces, though in practice control over the BAF is exercised through Her Majesty's Government by the post of Defence Minister and the appointed Fleet Admiral. The Monarch is the embodiment of the Bretonian State and, as such, all legislative power is exercised both in the name of the Monarch, and with the Royal Assent of the Monarch.
Section 2 - Empire
As Empress of Tau and Queen of the Kingdom of the Near Omegas the Monarch of Bretonia has the status of both Head of State and direct Ruler over these Royal Dominions, though in practice the Royal Decrees that govern these Dominions are drawn up and approved by the Bretonian Parliament before being issued by the Monarch.
Section 3 - Powers
-The Monarch retains the sole right to sign diplomatic Treaties, or to make declarations of War against other States
- The Monarch retains the right to choose the Prime Minister, providing he or she is capable of forming a government which can survive.
- The Monarch retains the right to dissolve Parliament, either on advice of the Prime Minister or at a time of her own choosing.
- The Monarch has the power to either grant or deny Royal Assent to any Bills passed by Parliament, which is necessary for them to be enacted into law.
- The Monarch has the power to grant Royal Charters to Bretonian Corporations, though this now requires approval from other bodies as well, such as Parliament and the Admiralty Board
- The Monarch has complete personal control over all Crown properties, estates and finances.
- The Crown has automatic ownership over any newly discovered planets or resources found within the territory of the Kingdom of Bretonia.
- The Crown has the right to seize the estates within Bretonia of those declared enemies of the State. This has happened to all Kusari estates within Bretonia.
- The Crown claims ownership over all wrecks of spacecraft within Bretonian territory. The Monarch has granted the BPA and BAF powers to use any equipment found within such wrecks for their benefit.
Section 4 - Style
The official style of the Monarch used at diplomatic events is as follows:
Her Royal and Imperial Majesty, Carina I, by the Grace of her Forebears, Sovereign of the Realm of Greater Bretonia, Empress of Tau, of the Kingdom of the Near Omegas and of her other Realms and Territories Queen, Protector of the Independent Worlds of Magellan and Cortez, Defender of Justice, Head of the Order of the Bretonian Empire.
Article III Section 1 - Commons
The House of Commons comprises 646 seats which are to be elected by a system of universal suffrage without property qualification of all Bretonian citizens over the age of 18. Every lawful Bretonian space station within the Kingdom of Bretonia holds one single seat, with the exception of BAF Battleships (BAF officers vote in their home constituencies), the remainder of seats being divided between the Planets of New London, Leeds and Cambridge, which are all divided into constituency areas. All seats must be re-elected at least once every 4 years, or sooner if the Prime Minister or Monarch chooses to dissolve Parliament. Through the Parliamentary Reform Act of 641 A.S. the Commons has sole power to vote over finance Bills, such as the annual Budget, but on other matters the Commons is generally considered to have less power than the House of Lords, with most Bills having to pass the Lords before the Commons has a chance to propose amendments.
Section 2 - Lords
The House of Lords comprises a variable number of seats, currently standing at 248. These are a combination of the 3 Lords Spiritual; the Bishops of New London, Leeds and Cambridge, the 86 Hereditary Peers, the 5 Law Lords (who all have the automatic status of Life Peers) representing the highest judges in Bretonia, and those Life Peers appointed by the Monarch (see Article VIII - Section 2 below). With the exception of Finance Bills the Lords have the power to approve or reject any piece of legislation, and can exercise considerable powers to push legislation past opposition in the Commons, though a strong majority in the Commons can block such attempts.
Section 3 - Government
The Prime Minister is chosen by the Monarch, and may be drawn from the Commons or the Lords. The Prime Minister then selects other Ministers, again from both the Lords and the Commons, together forming the Government. These Ministers sit together in the Privy Council and Cabinet where they exercise executive powers on behalf of the Monarch, and draw up Government Bills to pass before the Houses of Parliament. If the government is unable to successfully pass its Bills before Parliament then either the Monarch must choose a new Prime Minister or Parliament must be dissolved.
Section 4 - Departments and Ministers
The 7 Government Ministers who sit in the Privy Council are as follows: NB: The letters in brackets indicate the shipping codes attached to vessels of each of the respective government departments. NAME is either replaced with the appropriate HMS-Shipname or the Forename.Surname of the individual. Current or planned departmental vessels as listed.
Prime Minister: The Head of the Bretonian Government, and with considerable executive powers used on behalf of the Monarch. Able to appoint and dismiss other ministers. QCG|NAME
QCG|HMS-Whitehall
Chancellor of the Exchequer : Chief Officer of Her Majesty's Treasury. Manages the receipt of taxes from Corporations and citizens to the Crown, and distributes Crown funds in the Budget between government departments (Mostly to policing and the Armed Forces). QCG|NAME(T)
QCG|HMS-Exchequer(T)
Home Secretary: Head of the Home Office. In charge of Internal Security of the Realm, he manages the organisation of the Bretonia Police Authority and their funding, and has the power to pass emergency legislation for the protection of Bretonian citizens (along with the Defence Minister). Has responsibility for organizing the hunting and capture of wanted criminals, and anti-smuggling operations. QCG|NAME(HO)
QCG|HMS-Discipline(HO)
Defence Minister: Head of the Ministry of Defence. In charge of the External Defence of the Realm, he manages the organisation of the Bretonian Armed Forces and their funding, and has the power to pass emergency legislation for the protection of Bretonian citizens (along with the Home Secretary). Has responsibility for ship commissioning and decommissioning, and the handling of the war effort on the Home Front. QCG|NAME(MOD)
QCG|HMS-Imperatrix(MOD)
Lord Chancellor: Head of the Lord Chancellor's Department. The chief judicial officer of the Realm, has responsibility for managing the Courts and ensuring the independence of the Judiciary. Also has government responsibility for the Prisons, both Newgate and mobile Prison Liners, in pertaining to their maintenance, security, and transfers of prisoners. Handles all extradition cases in conjunction with the Foreign Secretary. QCG|NAME(LCD)
QCG|HMS-Justice(LCD)
Secretary of State for Trade and Industry: Head of the Department for Trade and Industry. In charge of the regulation of all trade in Bretonia, the maintenance, granting and removal of Royal Charters to corporations, the taxing and subsidizing of various trade-related activities, and the promotion of trade in Bretonia by attracting foreign investments. Can agree to issue government-backed loans to corporation or banks under certain conditions (with the approval of the Chancellor of the Exchequer). Also in charge of promoting tourism in Bretonia. QCG|NAME(DTI)
QCG|HMS-Endeavour(DTI)
Foreign Secretary: Head of the Foreign and Colonial Office. The senior government official with responsibility for all negotiations with foreign governments, and in charge of the appointment of Ambassadors or Consuls to foreign Embassies. Also has responsibility for the day to day running of the Royal Dominions and their Colonies; The Empire of Tau and the Kingdom of the Near Omegas. The Foreign Secretary can draft decrees for the Monarch to pass relating to the governance of these territories. QCG|NAME(FCO)
QCG|HMS-Dominion(FCO)
QCG|HMS-Britannia(FCO)
Article IV Section 1 - Admiralty Board
The Admiralty Board consists of 11 Admirals of the 8 Great Fleets and 3 Planetary Fleets of Bretonia. These Admirals are all appointed by the Defence Minister, on behalf of the Monarch, on the recommendation of the Fleet Admiral. The Admiralty Board has weekly meetings on the Battleship Harlow where they sit, along with the Fleet Admiral, to decide Admiralty policy. The 8 Great Fleet Admirals each have a single vote, the 3 Planetary Fleet Admirals have 2 votes each, and the remaining 7 votes are held by the Fleet Admiral (on behalf of the Monarch who previously occupied the position) for a total of 21 votes. Abstentions are not permitted, with representative Commodores exercising the votes in cases of an Admiral's absence, ensuring that absolute majorities are always passed.
Under normal circumstances the Admiralty Board may only vote on matters directly related to the BAF, but due to the State of War, emergency powers have been granted to the Admiralty Board to pass Decrees restricting civilian activities. So far these have included the initiation of the Tau blockade and the ban on Kusarian trade vessels. Unlike internal BAF decisions, these civilian decrees may be overturned by Parliament, though this is usually a lengthy process.
The Admiralty has a duty to use the Bretonian Armed Forces for the Defence of the Realm, and the upholding of the Bretonian Crown.
Current Admiralty Board:
Fleet Admiral: Percy Nelles
1st Fleet / New London Planetary Fleet: Admiral Benjamin Whittlington
2nd Fleet / Leeds Planetary Fleet: Lord Admiral John Fairfax
3rd Fleet / Cambridge Planetary Fleet: Admiral Sir Peter Grimshaw
4th Fleet / Norfolk Great Fleet: Admiral Mark McKenna
5th Fleet / Suffolk Great Fleet: Lord Admiral Michael Jellicoe [Aged 76, semi-retired. 5th Fleet Commanded by Commodore Sir Stanley Nelson]
6th Fleet / Essex Great Fleet: Admiral Edward Ashmore [Aged 84, semi-retired. 6th Fleet Commanded by Lord Commodore Aubrey Mainwaring]
7th Fleet / Derby Great Fleet: Admiral Richard Fraser
8th Fleet / York Great Fleet: Lord Admiral Edmund Cunningham
9th Fleet / Ark Royal Great Fleet: Admiral Sir Drake Kaiden
10th Fleet / MacDuff Great Fleet: Admiral Charles Wilson [Extended Leave of Absence - following death of the Flag Captain, "Admiral" Sir Andrew Stuart has assumed temporary command...]
11th Fleet / Grimsby Great Fleet: Admiral James Frobisher
Section 2 - Fleet Admiral
The Fleet Admiral is appointed directly by the Defence Minister, replacing the Monarch's position on the Admiralty Board. Executive decisions governing Fleet actions may be made by the Fleet Admiral, but these are subject to scrutiny by the Admiralty Board at the next meeting and may be overturned. The Fleet Admiral has the power to make appointments within the BAF, award military decorations and recommend officers for to the Monarch for Peerages, Knighthoods and other honours. Under his command the Armed Forces have free reign to enforce the Constitution, Laws and any Decrees of the Bretonian Government, and do whatever deemed necessary for the Defence of the Realm and the upholding of the Bretonian Constitution. The final loyalty of the Fleet Admiral and the Armed Forces in any political dispute should always be with the Bretonian Crown.
Section 3 - Defence Minister
The Defence Minister, appointed by the Prime Minister, has responsibility for government policy relating to the defence of Bretonia. He can propose Bills before Parliament relating to national defence, and also acts as the public face of the Armed Forces, as the BAF does not have its own internal PR division. The Defence Minister controls the budget of the Ministry of Defence, dividing it between the different branches of the Armed Forces, and deciding upon commissions of new ships, or retirement of existing vessels.
Article V Section 1 - Duty to Act
The Bretonia Police Authority and its members assume a Duty to Act upon enlisting. Under any of the below situations, the BPA is expected to act to preserve the peace, stability, and defenses of Her Majestys domain. A BPA Officer or Constable is obliged to act, unless other pressing matters are at hand, the situation poses a futile risk for the Constable, or other lawful authorities have responded to the situation. If a BPA Officer or Constable does not respond, that constable or officer may be charged with negligence of duty.
The following situations are:
1) An identified, located, and witnessed act of piracy. The Constable has identified the pirate and the victim, the Constable has located the site of the act, and the Constable has witnessed the act.
2) An identified and located threat of terrorism. The Constable will immediately follow BPA protocol, and call for the assistance of Bretonian Counter-Terrorist Divisions(BAF, SRD).
3) An identified, located, and witnessed act of smuggling. The Constable has identified the smuggler using a cargo scan.
4) An identified and acknowledged request for assistance. Any citizen, foreign national, or other lawful authority in Bretonia may request assistance from BPA officers. Forms of assistance may include:
- Escorts
- Calls for Help Defending against Pirates / Terrorists
- Equipment Transfers
- Directions
- General Questions
Any and all assistance provided is to be courteous and respectful.
Section 2 - Writ of Customs
The Bretonian Police Authority seeks to monitor and control the traffic of trade through Bretonia, preserving economic balance and the safety of Her Majestys subjects by ensuring the quality and validity of goods carried by vessels moving through Bretonia. The BPA reserves the right to use military-strength scanners to identify the contents of the holds of any vessels within Bretonian space.
Section 3 - Writs of Authority
i) Over Citizens
As the primary law enforcement agency within Bretonian Space, the Bretonian Police Authority reserves the right to dictate and enforce the laws set down by the Bretonian Parliament and authorized with the full consent of Her Majesty, Queen Carina I. All citizens accused of a crime must be:
- Informed of their crime.
- Informed of their right to a trial in a Bretonian Royal Court.
- Charged for their crime.
- Punished for their crime.
ii) Over Other Lawfuls
As the primary law enforcement agency within Bretonian Space, the Bretonian Police Authority maintains authority over bounty hunters under the employ of the Bounty Hunter's Guild, mercenaries under the employ of private entities[1], mercenaries under the employ of the Bretonian Armed Forces, and mercenaries under the employ of the Bretonian Police Authority while in Core Bretonian Space[2].
In the event that a law enforcement agency other than a Bretonian Police Authority constable is caught breaking Bretonian Interstellar Law[3] by a Bretonian Police Authority constable, the offender is to either be taken into custody and be tried in the Bretonian Royal Court or be charged the fines and held in the contempt lain out by the Bretonian Charter of Interstellar Law.
[1]: Private entities include self employed persons, persons working under a corporation[4], and persons working for the Bretonian Bureaucracy.
[2]: Core Bretonian Space includes New London, Manchester, Leeds, Cambridge, and Newcastle, a.k.a., uncontested Bretonian Space.
[3]: The Bretonian Charter of Interstellar Law dictates the laws of Bretonia as lain out by her Majesty Queen Carina I and Parliament.
[4]: Corporations are only legal entities which maintain a public front and public stock exchanges, such as Bretonian Mining and Manufacturing (BMM), Border Worlds Exports (BowEx), Gateway Shipping, Planetform Inc. and their foreign counterparts.
iii) Over Bretonian Armed Forces
Under no circumstances is a constable under the authority of the Bretonian Police Authority to intrude on a military operation unless the necessary pretenses are met. The pretenses include:
-Military personnel being under the influence of narcotics or other debilitating substances.
-Military personnel being in the possession of narcotics or other debilitating substances.
-Military personnel being in the possession of stolen or illegal[1] property.
-Military personnel being directly obstructive to the keeping of Bretonian peace.
-Military personnel breaking one of the various Bretonian Laws.
-Military personnel committing a war crime within Bretonian Core Space[2].
-Military personnel committing an act of treason against her Majesty Queen Carina I.
Bretonian Military personnel found guilty of a civilian crime will be charged and punished by the BPA presiding officer. Bretonian Military personnel found guilty of a crime of Treason or War Crimes, or refusing to comply with BPA punishment for other crimes, will be charged and detained by the BPA, until such time as a Release Warrant is presented to the BPA, signed by a member of the Admiralty Board, and countersigned by the Home Secretary or Defence Minister. Upon the issue of such a Warrant, the BAF officer being held is to be transferred to BAF custody, where he may either be released or Court Marshalled. Court Marshalls are held before the Admiralty Board, and fall outside of civilian judicial processes.
[1]: Illegal Properties are the same illegal properties particularly named in the Bretonian Charter of Interstellar Law.
[2]: Core Bretonian Space includes New London, Manchester, Leeds, Cambridge, and Newcastle, a.k.a., uncontested Bretonian Space
iv) Over Foreign Nationals
Foreign Nationals are persons who identify themselves as associated with one of the three[1] other houses of the Sirius sector.
The term, diplomatic immunity, does not exist in Bretonia. All visitors to Bretonia are expected to act accordingly with the laws laid by the Crown and enforced by the Police Authority. All foreign visitors are to be treated like Bretonian citizens. They will receive the same courteous treatment and respect, and be expected to pay the same fines and receive the same punishments as any other Bretonian.
[1]: At this time, all unapproved Kusarian nationals are considered terrorists.
Section 4 - Writ of Power
The Bretonian Police Authority reserves itself as the primary internal law enforcement agency within uncontested Bretonian space.
The BPA has to power to:
- Enforce the Law over citizens, foreign nationals, Bretonian military, and other lawful persons within uncontested Bretonian space.
- Charge someone for a crime after it has been committed, so long as significant evidence has been collected.
- Prevent and deter the act of piracy within Bretonia.
- Escort persons to Bretonian Border Stations.
- Act as the first line of defense and negotiation in the event of terrorism. Terrorism is defined as the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce a lawful authority.
- Investigate any Bretonian citizen believed to be in violation of a crime. A Writ of Investigation must be obtained from the Sheriff of Edinburghs office at Aberdeen before this occurs.
- Issue and Create Licenses deemed appropriate and necessary by the Crown and Parliament.
Section 5 - Writ of Licensure
The Bretonian Police Authority, being in the position that most easily allows for the investigation of individual ships and their cargoes, reserve the right to issue, demand for, and create licenses that will insure the safety of the subjects of Her Majesty Carina I. The addition or removal of new materials requiring licenses must be formally issued by the Home Secretary. Currently, Licenses being issued are:
- Nomad Equipment Licenses
- Passenger Transportation Licenses
NB: Licences pertaining to transport of military-sensitive materials, such as military supplies through the Tau blockade, must be sought from the Defence Minister, rather than the BPA.
Section 6 - The Bretonian Royal Court
All individuals have a right to a hearing where their crimes will be stated and an opportunity to plead will be given. Certain individuals[1] found guilty of unlawful behavior by a BPA Officer have a right to a trial in a Bretonian Royal Court presided over by the Sheriff of Edinburgh and other honorable Bretonian Justices. Responsibility for all court proceedings are to be in the hands of the Lord Chancellor.
All lawbreakers are guilty until proven innocent.
[1]: The following individuals do not have a right to trial:
- Terrorists
- Pirates
- Invading persons[2] with malignant intent
[2]: Invading persons currently include Corsairs and Kusarians.
Article VI Section 1 - Borderworld Exports
Borderworld Exports (hereafter referred to as Bowex) is a nationalized corporation acting under the authority of the Bretonian Parliament, according to the provisions laid out in Royal Charter #506 P1-4[1]. Bowex's primary function is the import and export of goods essential to the Bretonian economy. Bowex is administered by a Board of Directors, which is chosen by Bowex's Director of Operations. Bowex's Director of Operations is appointed by Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. Profits from Bowex ventures are used primarily for financing the Ministry of Defense and the Constabulary, in lieu of defense taxes paid by the citizens of Bretonia.
Bretonia Mining and Manufacturing (hereafter referred to as BMM) is a nationalized corporation acting under the authority of the Bretonian Parliament, according to the provisions laid out in their Royal Charter. BMM's primary function is the production of raw materials and heavy manufacturing, such as space-going vessels, essential to the Bretonian economy. BMM is administered by a Board of Directors, which is chosen by BMM's CEO. BMM's CEO is appointed by Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. Profits from BMM ventures are used primarily for financing the Ministry of Defense and the Constabulary, in lieu of defense taxes paid by the citizens of Bretonia.
Article VII
Whilst the Monarch reserves the sole power to sign Treaties or declare Acts of War, diplomatic relations on an everyday level are carried out by different people. The BAF handles diplomatic relations between national militries pertaining to joint operations or military governance of independent territories, with most agreements being made by members of the Admiralty Board or a designated Diplomatic Officer, who may also draft Treaties pending the Monarch's final signature. To a lesser extent the BPA also maintains bi-partisan relations with representatives of foreign policing bodies, and can grant licenses for various trading purposes to corporations, as governed by Acts of Parliament. The Bretonian Foreign Minister is endowed with powers to act as a representative of the Monarch, and so to sign certain provisional Treaties on her behalf. The Ambassador to Liberty has a similar status in Liberty only.
Article VIII Section 1 - Honours
Knighthoods (full title, KBE - Knight of the Order of the Bretonian Empire) are special honours conferred upon certain citizens of Bretonia, in reward for outstanding service to the Nation and Empire of Bretonia in any field of life. These are non-hereditary and grant the title of "Sir" to male citizens and "Dame" to female citizens. They may be granted to citizens of Bretonia, or as honorary titles to special foreign citizens. They are awarded at the personal discretion of the Monarch, often on the advice of the Prime Minister. Historically the Fleet Admiral of the BAF and the Chief Commissioner of the BPA make recommendations to the Monarch for the granting of Knighthoods to members of their respective services in reward for exemplary duty. The Monarch also maintains the right to strip Knights of their Knighthoods should they disgrace themselves.
Lesser honours than the Knighthood (or KBE) are the OBE (Officer of the Order of the Bretonian Empire) and below that the MBE (Member of the Order of the Bretonian Empire). These are awarded in the same way as Knighthoods. It is impossible to hold more than one of these titles at once; upon promotion to a higher honour, the previous honour must be returned (so promotion to a Knighthood cancels any previous MBE or OBE). Unlike Knighthoods these titles do not confer the title of Sir or Dame, but are worn in the form of the three letters after a person's name. Like Knighthoods honorary MBEs and OBEs may be awarded to foreign citizens, and may be revoked by the Monarch.
Section 2 - Peerages
Peerages confer the title or "Lord" or "Lady" upon recipients, accompanied by the right to sit in the House of Lords and vote upon Bills of the Bretonian Parliament. These can be held in one of two forms. Firstly hereditary Peerages are inherited by the eldest child by male-preference primogeniture, upon the death of the incumbent. There are currently 86 such hereditary seats in the House of Lords, representing the 86 Dukes, Earls, Marquises, Viscounts and Barons of the estates of Bretonia (though a few individuals hold more than one of these titles). Life Peerages can be created at will..Article VIII Section 1 - Honours
Knighthoods (full title, KBE - Knight of the Order of the Bretonian Empire) are special honours conferred upon certain citizens of Bretonia, in reward for outstanding service to the Nation and Empire of Bretonia in any field of life. These are non-hereditary and grant the title of "Sir" to male citizens and "Dame" to female citizens. They may be granted to citizens of Bretonia, or as honorary titles to special foreign citizens. They are awarded at the personal discretion of the Monarch, often on the advice of the Prime Minister. Historically the Fleet Admiral of the BAF and the Chief Commissioner of the BPA make recommendations to the Monarch for the granting of Knighthoods to members of their respective services in reward for exemplary duty. The Monarch also maintains the right to strip Knights of their Knighthoods should they disgrace themselves.
Lesser honours than the Knighthood (or KBE) are the OBE (Officer of the Order of the Bretonian Empire) and below that the MBE (Member of the Order of the Bretonian Empire). These are awarded in the same way as Knighthoods. It is impossible to hold more than one of these titles at once; upon promotion to a higher honour, the previous honour must be returned (so promotion to a Knighthood cancels any previous MBE or OBE). Unlike Knighthoods these titles do not confer the title of Sir or Dame, but are worn in the form of the three letters after a person's name. Like Knighthoods honorary MBEs and OBEs may be awarded to foreign citizens, and may be revoked by the Monarch.
Section 2 - Peerages
Peerages confer the title or "Lord" or "Lady" upon recipients, accompanied by the right to sit in the House of Lords and vote upon Bills of the Bretonian Parliament. These can be held in one of two forms. Firstly hereditary Peerages are inherited by the eldest child by male-preference primogeniture, upon the death of the incumbent. There are currently 86 such hereditary seats in the House of Lords, representing the 86 Dukes, Earls, Marquises, Viscounts and Barons of the estates of Bretonia (though a few individuals hold more than one of these titles). Life Peerages can be created at will by the Monarch, usually conferred upon prominent Bretonian citizens as a reward for their service - these titles expire at the death of the recipient. Both hereditary and non-hereditary Peerages can be revoked at the will of the Monarch, in cases where the holder has brought the office into disrepute.
Article IX
Amendments to the Constitution can only be made by special Acts of Parliament that receive absolute majorities in both Houses of Parliament, with no special measures, as well as Royal Assent from the Monarch. The exception to this is Articles IV and V which may be amended by the Defence Minister and Home Secretary respectively, and Article VI which is governed by the powers of Charter granting laid out in Article II - Section 3
[Article X]
Queen of Bretonia - Carina I -
Private Secretary to the Queen - Sir Robin Francis -
Bretonian Cabinet of Privy Councillors:
Prime Minister - (Lord George Mountbatten)
Home Secretary - (Lord Anthony Grenville)
Chancellor of the Exchequer - (Lord Edward Marlborough)
Foreign Secretary - (Lord Charles Canning)
Secretary of State for Trade and Industry - (Lord Sir Edmond Grey)
Lord Chancellor - (Lord Reginald Walpole)
Defence Minister - (Lord James Ralston)
House of Lords:
Duke of Westminster - Lord George Mountbatten
Earl of Stratham - Lord Edward Marlborough
Earl of Malmesbury - Lord Charles Canning
Viscount Bath - Lord Sir Reginald Noteworthy III
Baron of Hertfordshire - Lord Robert Halloran
(Life Peer) - Lord Sir Edmond Grey
(Life Peer) - Lord Sir Roger Brinkley
(Life Peer) - Lord Arthur Caithness
(Life Peer) - Lord Anthony Grenville
(Life Peer) - Lord Reginald Walpole
(Life Peer) - Lord James Ralston
(Life Peer) - Lord Commodore Aubrey Mainwaring
(Life Peer) - Lord Barrington
KBEs:
Sir Alan Lauderdale - RIP
Sir Roger Brinkley
Sir Sebastian Tarrant
Sir Andrew Stuart
Sir William Burke
Sir Reginald Noteworthy III
Sir Robin Francis
Sir Alisdair Buchanan
Sir Peter Chambers
Sir Fortunas Wright
Sir Stanley Nelson
Sir Drake Kaiden
Dame Esther Carson
OBEs:
Mark McKenna OBE
Kandosii OBE
Gunther Koch OBE (Hon)
George Graves OBE
Dha Piruna OBE
MBEs:
Billy Bishop MBE
John Redmond MBE
Ranov'la Aran MBE
Graham Knight MBE
Joshua Cooper MBE
Alec McIntyre MBE
Brian McNab MBE
David Hale MBE (Hon)
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Threads: 310
Joined: Aug 2007
Staff roles: Story Dev Economy Dev
Lord Edmond Grey had been adjusting to the shift in power over the last few weeks, and had found the new situation suited him perfectly. With this new and bold government, he might even be able to press for new and radical trade laws and economic safety-nets to bolster the now drifting economy. But for now he had smaller targets in mind. The Junkers.
"Good day fellow Lords and Ladies, I firstly want to congratulate Prime Minister Mountbatten for his recent political victory and I do hope that this victory represents the dawning of a new era for our noble House!" There were some content murmuring from the younger Lords, who were still giddy from their victory.
"However, I did not rise to speak solely to congratulate our Prime Minister, for I have another matter to speak on. A decay at our core known commonly as the Junkers. Over the years, there has been a veritable tide of criminals and malcontents sweeping into our borders. The group most prominent in our news feeds would be the Corsairs.
"Now, you may wonder how these low-life degenerates relate to the 'Junkers', or even my role as the Minister of Trade and Industry, but the answer is simple: Piracy damages the economy. Corsairs, Mollies, Gaians. All these groups will disrupt internal trade at every opportunity, very often destroying ships and making away with their cargo, despite the commendable efforts the BPA and BAF place on the protection of civilian and merchant shipping.
"These groups rely on the Junkers in Bretonia. BAF strategists predict that without the base the Junkers apparently run in the Southampton Debris Field, criminal activity in the New London system could be curtailed by as much as 37% in the space of a month; maybe more in a longer time frame. The reason for this sudden decrease would be that these groups rely on the Junkers to fence their stolen goods and supply them so they can keep their ships in space. If you cannot buy your supplies, you cannot attack Bretonian shipping, correct?
"I say we give the Junkers an ultimatum! Desist trading with unlawful parties, or else face expulsion from Bretonian sovereign territory!"
As Lord Grey resumed his seat, the Speaker acknowledged the Foreign Secretary, who stood and prepared to offer his views on the proposal.
"My Lords. I too wish firstly to express my warmest congratulations to the Prime Minister, on his most well deserved appointment." He smiled breifly, and there were a few quiet chuckles from amonst the backbenchers. After all, Lord Canning had been one of the key instigators of the previous government's downfall, and aslo one of those who had personally gained the most from Mountbatten's subsequent appointment.
"In reference to the issue raised by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, namely the question of the junkers, I wish to offer the following advice. First of all I must say that I am broadly in agreement with his assessment of the situation regarding the junkers' supply of our enemies. Reports from the Admiralty indicate that in recent weeks their base in the Southampton Debris Field has been used as a staging ground for the increased attacks of corsair gunboats against New London. Naturally this is a most serious matter, as the junkers onboard the station are directly aiding our enemies in harming Bretonia."
"However, this matter is far more complex than simply requiring the outlawing of the junker forces or the seizure of the base. From a diplomatic persepective the junkers occupy a possibly unique position; they endeavour to maintain relations with both lawful and unlawful forces alike wherever they go. Whist this may appear to be a fairly hypocritical stance, it nevertheless causes us problems should we wish to move against them unilaterally. Our allies in the Liberty government maintain respectable dealings with them, and by attacking the junkers we may result in further enraging and provoking certain criminal elements with whom we were near to pacifying. What is more, the situation is made yet more delicate by the fact that the junkers are intricately connected with our close allies in the Golden Chrysanthamums, and are themselves fervent opponents of Hogosha, Farmers Alliance and hence, the Kusari government. In this sense we could do well not to alienate such a potential ally against the Kusari."
Many Lords were now frowning, thouroughly confused as to what stance Lord Canning was actually proposing they should take. To many it appeared that these diplomatic revelations were incompatible with the earlier stated goal of stopping the junker supply of enemies of Bretonia. Lord Canning, however, pressed ahead with his speech;
"That said, I do not think for a minute that we can continue to work with the junkers as long as they continue to support corsair incursions against Bretonia. But I would propose that this issue called for a certain degree of tact and careful diplomacy combining threats and incentives, rather than immediate legislation outlawing junker activities. I would endeavour to exploit the junker interests in Kusari to coerce them into abandoning their aid of the corsairs in Bretonia. However, I confess I can make no guarentees regarding the success of such a strategy; should a diplomatic initiative fail I would concede that we would be left with no choice but to adopt the measure of forcibly restricting junker activities via anti-junker legislation. Given the gravity of this situation, I will wait upon a decision from this House before pressing ahead with any diplomatic statements."
He resumed his seat and waited for the response of the House to his words.
Home Secretary Lord Anthony Grenville was alarmed at the proposed ultimatum to the Junkers. Not only was his funding being slowly siphoned into the war effort, but he knew such a venture would be foolish in and of itself. Even if the Junkers were harboring criminals in the Southampton, investigators that confirmed this were not equipped well enough to relay the information back to New Scotland Yard before the pirates that the Junkers were allegedly harboring did away with them, and if the Junkers weren't harboring criminals, then the money invested into the investigation would be wasted.
"Lords, ministers," Anthony began as he rose, "I move that such a venture would be folly. Such an investigation to prove that the Junkers are harboring such criminals cannot be effectively carried out at this time. Looking into the intimate operations of the Junkers is something that is neither monetarily, nor humanly possible while other internal security dilemmas are still present in Bretonia. The Corsairs from the Grasmere Cloud constantly pound the Cambridge line, and from the outset of the war, the BPA have had trouble keeping the line intact with diminished BAF support. This is evidenced easily by the growing rates of piracy originating from the Cardiff and Cornwell asteroid fields."
"Furthermore," Anthony continued, "With the Essex's forces cut at the outset of the war, the Mollys become bolder in the past months. This can be easily seen in the rise in piracy originating from the Cumbria and Devon asteroid fields, as well as the West Leeds smog cloud. Though it has been a slower rate of growth compared to the increase in piracy by the Corsairs, the piracy rates of the Mollys have been steadily increasing as well as a result of the Essex's reduced garrison."
"On the matter of the Southampton debris field," Anthony added with a change of tone, "Since the emergence of the Junker's Congress as an official corporate entity in Bretonia, piracy originating from the Southampton field has been reduced significantly. Further on this matter, the Junker's Congress has been steadily recycling our scrap in the Southampton field into usable alloys in surprisingly significant amounts. This shouldn't be discarded offhandedly, seeing the shortages that Stokes has encountered in the past years with shipments of both alloys and raw materials from Rheinland being cut off by piracy in the Omegas and Core Breotnian Space."
"Onto a matter unrelated to piracy, I'd like to ask from where exactly Lord Grey expects to fund this endeavor. Raising taxes further this year on an already war weary people for an effort completely unrelated to the war may be folly. Civil unrest has risen 30% in Cambridge, and 17% in New London this year alone. Giving the masses more taxes that do not alleviate what they see as a problem is nothing short of folly, in my eyes. Unless BowEx or Gateway want to partake in an extreme act of philanthropy, I don't believe this endeavor to be politically possible."
"Instead of this motion, I move to continue the current goals of repelling apparent piracy in Core Bretonian Space, and leaving the asteroid field to the Bounty Hunters and mercenaries, unless a high priority target presents itself or a criminal is chased there."
[8:32:45 PM] Dusty Lens: Oh no, let me get that. Hello? Oh it's my grandma. She says to be roleplay.
[12:49:19 AM] Elgatodiablo: You know its nice that you have all that proof and all, Bacon... but I just don't believe you.
As Lord Canning sat quietly listening to the Home Secretary's counterproposals, he suddenly saw a civil servant from the Foreign Office signalling to him from the balcony. With Lord Grenville in full flow, Canning quietly slipped out of the chamber and into the lobby. The secretary hurried down the staircase and handed the Foreign Secretary a note, whispering a few words into his ear.
By the time Lord Canning returned to the Chamber, Lord Grenville had just finished his speech and was resuming his seat. Tentatively, Canning stood and waited to be acknowleged by the Speaker, indicating with his expression that he had something important to say. With no-one else requesting to speak, the Speaker reluctantly waved him on.
"My Lords, I wish to present some new information. Within the last few minutes, Her Majesty's Foreign Office received the following message on the diplomatic channels from the Junker Congress themselves, addressed to Her Majesty's Privateering Corps courtesy of Sir Andrew Stuart. The message reads as follows:
Lord Canning reads the note... Wrote:Upcoming operations within the Junkers Congress means that there will be increaced activity against the Hogosha of Kusari. This may well lead to Congress ships of all kinds becoming frequently spotted within Kusari space by your Privateers.
We wish to make it compleatly clear that we are not engaging in the trade of goods or infomation within Kusari and that we are in no way going against the will of your employers, the BAF. We say this as we wish there to be no misunderstanding between your men and our Transports, that may well be hauling away goods freshly stolen from a Kusari Container Transport.
As you can see, this further serves to confirm my earlier point that we are in a strong bargaining position with the Junker Congress in relation to their opposition to Kusari. Using this diplomatic leverage, we should be able to pursuade them to abandon their aid to corsairs in Bretonia without the need to resort to violence."
Lord Barington listened carefully and was ready to give his respond. The speaker Recognises Lord Barington!
Lord Grenville has a point my lords. Piracy has risen quite steadily throughout the conflict, Molly and corsair raids have been striking successfully more and more in these dark days. Leaving the clouds for the Mercenaries and Bounty Hunters is a smart move, this would give a positive impulse to the economy and would free up time for the constabulary to patrol the core areas and lanes to insure the safety of these important areas.
I would also be in favour of a possible diplomatic mission to be sent to the Junker congress to try and force out the corsairs from our territory. This would most likely provide more security for New London, Edinburgh and the south of Leeds.
As Lord Barrington sat down another lord prepared his speech.
There used to be pictures here
once known as Richard Farbridge, OBE and Ronaldo Benitez