10-06-2006, 01:01 PM
A PROCLAMATION
ALEXANDER R.
It has become evident to Us that, over the course of several months, interest and participation on the part of Our subjects have waned so drastically that the life of the nation and even the fundamental routine activities of the state have become nearly dormant. Likewise, the national discourse has all but vanished, our subjects altogether absent. This lamentable state of affairs has caused Us to genuinely wonder if Our kingdom might long survive.
A very long time has passed since last was observed in Hanover any sort of enthusiastic political movement in any direction. Whereas Our nation was once acclaimed for her vibrant political life, enjoying an informed citizenry represented by an active parliament of energetic legislators, today this kingdom is a silent and desolate village of apathy and discontent.
We are acutely sensible of the disappointment which so many of Our subjects have felt in the aftermath of the failure of endless conferences and conventions and other ineffectual attempts at national renewal. We, too, have felt this disappointment and, like so many of Our subjects, have little stomach for witnessing yet another burst of momentary enthusiasm which quickly fades into a cold and haunting silence.
Nevertheless, We are hopeful that Our kingdom may once again experience a return to its heritage of vibrant political thought, discussion, debate and activity. The Parliament of Hanover was once a lively forum for exchange and compromise between intelligent politicians from a variety of backgrounds and schools of philosophy. It is Our sincere desire that Hanover's grand parliamentary tradition be restored once more for all time.
Recognizing that the promulgation of complex governing rules for parliamentary legislature has caused past Parliaments to stagnate and collapse, it is Our intention that the parliamentary rules of order be greatly simplified to allow all participants to manoever legislative proposals quite easily and to allow for a greater focus on the questions and issues, themselves. We wish to see, now, a new Parliament, free of unnecessary constraints and confusing protocols, wherein ideas reign, and not the minutiae of esoteric internal regulations.
LET IT BE KNOWN therefore that it is now Our Will and Desire to Proclaim the following:
1. A new Parliament shall be Opened by Us on the Sixteenth day of October, to which all and singular of Our Subjects shall be summoned.
2. The House of Parliament shall be presided over by Our Lord High Chancellor, who shall be the Speaker of Parliament and who shall be empowered to moderate the activities of Parliament. He may from time to time designate another Member of Parliament to preside in his absence as Speaker of Parliament For a Time.
3. Our Lord High Chancellor, as Speaker of Parliament, shall, on or before the day of the State Opening of Parliament, promulgate and publish rules of order by which Parliament shall be governed. Amendments to the rules as promulgated and published by Our Lord High Chancellor as Speaker of Parliament may be proposed and voted on by Parliament from time to time.
4. There shall be established a political party to be styled "The Conservative Party of Hanover" and another to be styled "The Liberal Party of Hanover." The establishment thereof shall not preclude the formation of other political parties at some point in the future, but the competence to legally recognize the establishment of political parties other than the Conservative Party or the Liberal Party shall lie with the Crown.
5. All citizens shall register with one of the aforementioned parties or the other before assuming a seat in Parliament.
6. Leadership of each party shall be determined by the membership thereof, and the discipline of each party shall be determined by the leadership thereof.
7. All persons upon assuming a seat in Our Parliament shall, before each session of Parliament, make and subscribe before Our Lord High Chancellor or some person authorized by him the Affirmation of Loyalty, which reads: I, A.B., do solemnly and sincerely affirm and declare that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Alexander, His heirs and successors according to law.
Given at Our Court of the Palace of Saint George this Sixth Day of October in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand Six.
By His Majesty's Command:
MARCHMAIN