The House of Lords

[Dab]

The Bretonian Empire
[color=#FF6600]Her Majesty's Government

[font=Arial][color=#FFFFFF]Her Majesty's House of Lords

[color=#FFFFFF][font=Arial]Lord Royal - Empty

The Bretonian Parliament is separated into two different "Houses". The Upper House is known as the House of Lords. This chamber is occupied by Bretonian peers, and is responsible for Proposing bills and Amending bills that have been passed by the House of Commons. Most importantly, the Lord Royal of the House of Lords has the power to veto bills proposed by the House of Commons.

The House of Lords chamber is lavishly decorated in classical Victorian-era decor. The benches and other furnishings are colored a royal red, with looming stained glass windows presiding over the council and the walls covered by massive frescoes depicting the British virtues of religion, chivalry, and law. At the head of the chamber lies the ornate golden throne of the Monarch, though it is only occupied on state issues of great importance. Before it stands a less ostentatious chair used by the presiding officer - The Lord Royal.

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[Dab]

Joseph Christenson entered the chambeer and took the House of Lords podium, as he had in the Commons. This was the first day Parliament would be reopened to conduct Bretonia's governing since emergency measures were taken in response to Kusari. He began a very similar speech to that which the Commons received.

"Greetings Lords and Ladies, to this year's first session of Her Majesty's Parliament. As we all know, our nation faces a great peril, and I'd like to take this time to thank our Armed Forces and Police Authority for their valiant and stalwart efforts to defend and protect our nation."

"As you are no doubt aware, there are a myriad number of problems for yourselves to address. So as to ensure we handle these issues in a timely mannerr, I will keep an oft-updated timetable for our debates and voting sessions. Debate transcripts from the House of Lords will be available to the members of the Commons, and vice versa."

"As there is no currently appointed Lord Royal, we need to handle that first, while the Commons begins deliberating on Mr. Adama's proposal for the colonization of Planet Sprague. At this time, I open the floor to the Lords to nominate those amongst you for the position of Lord Royal."

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[Rubber_Duck]

Lord Hamilton walked through the huge doors of the great hall, heading in to take his seat.

After sitting down, watching the hall filling slowly and having a few words with some other lords and dames, he waited for the first debate to begin.

As Joseph Christenson entered the podium, and the hall went quiet he listened to what he had to announce, silently awiting the things to come.

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[Jam]

Count Wessex made his way to the great hall, looking around and finally finding his seat next to Lord Hamilton. He smirked at him, and waited for the action to begin...

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[10:46:32] Wolfs Ghost (Murphy): And actually, the KU Dessie is the best GB.
[19:29:19] Joseph (Aphil): SCRA|CPW-Capitalism.

Admiral John Clay - Retired and dead *sadface*

[arvg]

The Duke of Norfolk sat eating an Orange.

The usual pomp and ceremony that he didn't really have time for, however duty was often like that. Requiring one to be in a place where one didn't desire to be, dealing with things that were tedious and dull. After all, were it not for the Lords, politics would quickly spiral into complete chaos.

Checks and balances after all.

"I would call for a renewed vote on bombing New Berlin," he remarked in a particularly quiet moment. "But without the Commons actually doing their job and creating law, there is very little for us to do at this juncture... I do, however, make a resolution that the House of Lords reprimand the House of Commons for Indolence, and remind them that unless they wish to be ruled, they should represent their constituents."

He paused, successfully opening the orange peel.

"Oh and I would also like to see a vote on banning Zoners from consuming Bretonian Oxygen, without, of course, them paying Bretonian Taxes. Extending that to breathing, period, would of course be utterly wrong... no matter my personal feelings on the Zoner issue. But again, we don't make law, we just make sure the laws are suitable."

He popped a slice of orange into his mouth, enjoying it's burst of flavour.

"And can someone tell me why, in all our current crises'... why we haven't planted a boot on Gran Canaria and restored it to Crown control? Appeasing the squatters antagonizes me to no end. You can't tell me we don't actually need a rich, fertile planet within easy reach, and lightly defended by pirates and vagabonds."

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[arvg]

Walking down the corridors and returning to the House of Lords... quite annoyed at all the walking that was involved in the whole governmental situation, he took his customary seat.

"The passage of the Sprague Settlement Bill seems to be well in hand," he said jovially. "Now to settle this Lord Royal thingy. I propose we take the unique step of appointing one of Her Majesty's children to the post, in an effort to be more inclusive of the Royal Family, and Her Majesty's wishes. Do I hear a second?"

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[Rubber_Duck]

Lord Hamilton quietely sat in the great hall, listening to the Duke of Norfolk.
After he finished the first part of his speech, a loud "Hear, Hear" went through the hall.
The Duke of Norfolk continued, and another loud "Hear, Hear" followed the second part of his speech.

Hamilton got up, and started to speak.

"Lords and Ladies, I agree to the points mentioned by his grace, especially those ones concerning the Zoners. And Planet Sydney. We all know that we could need it, and we all know that we can take it. Why we didn't? Yes... Why didn't we?

But at first, and to second his grace again in this topic, we have to appoint a Lord Royal. The proposal of letting one of the her majesty's children take this position is more than logical, regarding our current situation and the fact, that most of us are heavily busy elsewhere." He looks over to the Duke of Norfolk "By this, I am glad that you were able to attend today, your grace. We should at least be able to be faster in our decisions than the talkative commons are" He smirks. "At least, about the Lord Royal, you hear me seconding, Duke."

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[Dab]

Evyn stepped back into the House of Lords and took her seat near Sir Frasier. She finished listening to the rest of Lord Hamilton's speech before standing to address the House for her first time. "I think my dear Lords meant one of the Queen's nephews or nieces, since we are plagued by the lack of royal heirs so far. However, I don't think any of her close family members are currently in the House of Lords, which makes it impossible for one of them to hold the position of the Lord Royal. I'm afraid we are stuck choosing amongst ourselves. While I know first-hand that he is busy as the Fleet Admiral, heck, I am too, I think the Duke of Norfolk would be the best person to fill this role currently. The Sprague bill is being sent our way soon, so we should make a decision quickly."

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[The Kingdom of Bretonia]

<span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%]Be it so Noted

The Queen has been graciously pleased to signify Her intention of conferring a peerage, and honours befitting their station upon the undermentioned:

Aurelia Caylne upon her merit and in appreciation of her many years of long service is to be named Lady Kensington a life-peerage that will, it is hoped, show Her Majesty's eternal gratitude for your loyalty.

Also, Her Majesty appoints William Hughes Chief Commissioner of the Bretonian Police Authourity, and names him Lord Newgate (as is the tradition).

It is also Her Majesty's wish that the Duke of Norfolk be named as Lord Royal.

On Behalf of Her Royal Highness,

Sir Gerald Hammond,
Personal Secretary to Her Majesty

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[arvg]

Nodding his head slightly, Norfolk sighed.

"I can see being a distant cousin to the Queen makes it my duty to accept, especially after Lord Hamilton's, the Baroness, and now Her Majesty herself has made such requests."

He stood, "I will accept this position in the interim, and will perform the duties to the fullness of my capacity."

Indicating to his fellow Lords, "the Sprague bill will be with us soon, I suggest we see to its speedy passage, so that the commons can breath a bit easier that the upper House listens to its wishes."

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