New England Online > Government & Politics > Constitution of New England > Article Two
Article Two
Part One – The Crown
The executive power of the Kingdom is vested in the King and extends to the maintenance of this Constitution, and of the laws of the Kingdom.
The King shall, prior to his accession to the throne, make a solemn declaration in writing before the Witan that he will faithfully adhere to the Constitution. When, because of absence or for other reasons, the King is unable to sign the aforesaid declaration immediately on his accession to the throne, government shall, unless otherwise provided by statute, be conducted by the Executive Council until such declaration has been signed. When the King has already, as Heir to the Throne, signed the aforesaid declaration, he shall accede to the throne immediately it becomes vacant.
The right of succession to the throne of New England is vested in the male and female descendants of King Michael, issue in direct line of descent. In this connection, older siblings and their descendants have precedence over younger siblings and their descendants.
Provisions relating to the exercising of executive power in the event of the minority, illness, or absence of the King shall be laid down by statute. Should the throne become vacant and there be no Heir to the Throne, the Witan shall elect a King and establish the future order of succession to the throne.
The powers and functions conferred on the King by this Constitution shall be exercisable and performable by him only on the advice of the Executive Council, save where it is provided by this Constitution that he shall act in his absolute discretion or after consultation with or in relation to the Executive Council, or on the advice or nomination of, or on receipt of any other communication from, any other person or body.
The King shall, with the advice of the Executive Council, be responsible for the defence of the Kingdom, and the keeping of the peace. Similarly, the command of the defence force of the Kingdom is vested in the King.
The King's Privy Budget shall be granted for the duration of his reign by the Witan. Such statute shall also provide for the residences, offices and other State property which shall be placed at the disposal of the King for his use. The Privy Budget shall not be chargeable with any debt.
The King may raise an additional salary through the personal assets of the Crown. This sum may be taxed in a manner deemed appropriate by the Parliament.
Members of the royal family may be granted annuities by statute. Such annuities shall not be enjoyed outside the Realm except with the consent of the Parliament.
The right of pardon and the power to commute or remit punishment imposed by any court exercising criminal jurisdiction are hereby vested in the King, but such power of commutation or remission may also be conferred by law on other authorities.
A member of the royal family may not marry unless the Executive Council has given its consent thereto upon an application from The King. Should a member of the royal family marry without such consent, that member forfeits the right of succession for himself, his children and their descendants.
A member of the royal family may not undertake travel abroad without the knowledge and consent of The King.
A member of the royal family may not become the sovereign ruler of a foreign state whether by election, succession, or marriage without the consent of The King and the Parliament. Should this occur, neither he nor she nor shall their descendants be entitled to succeed to the throne of New England.
Part Two – The Executive Council
There shall be a Council to advise the King in the good governance of the Kingdom, to be styled the Executive Council of New England. All proposed laws and important government measures shall be discussed by the Executive Council.
The King shall not be answerable for his actions; his person shall be sacrosanct. The Executive Councillors shall be responsible for the conduct of government; their responsibility shall be defined by the Parliament.
Until the Parliament otherwise provides, the council shall be comprised of the following members;
The King
The First Minister
Executive Councillors who hold the following offices;
Treasury and Revenue
Defence
External Affairs
Attorney-General
Home Affairs
Any other minister that the Parliament sees fit to appoint
The Speaker of the House of Assembly
The Royal Chancellor of State
The Chief Government Whip
The King shall appoint and dismiss the First Minister.
The members of the Council shall be chosen by the First Minister, and summoned and sworn as Executive Councillors by the King, and shall hold office during his pleasure. The appointment of members to the Executive Council shall be subject to the approval by the Parliament.
All meetings of the Executive Council shall be entered in a minute book, and any question shall be decided by a majority of votes. The First Minister shall submit the minutes, signed by the Executive Councillors present, to the King with three days.
Until the Parliament otherwise provides, Executive Councillors shall not exceed fifteen in number, and shall hold such offices as the Parliament prescribes, or, in the absence of any provision, as the King directs.
Until the Parliament otherwise provides, each Executive Councillor shall receive an additional allowance of twenty thousand crowns a year, to be reckoned from the day on which he or she is appointed to the Council.
The Assent of the King to resolutions relating to legislation and government shall make such resolutions valid, provided that the signature of the King is accompanied by the signature or signatures of one or more Executive Councillor. An Executive Councillor who has signed a resolution shall be responsible for the resolution.
An Executive Councillor shall not remain in office after the Parliament has approved a vote of no confidence in him.
When the Parliament passes a vote of no confidence in the First Minister, he shall ask for the dismissal of the Council unless writs are to be issued for a general election. Where a vote of censure has been passed on a Council, or it has asked for its dismissal, it shall continue in office until a new Council has been appointed. Executive Councillors who remain in office as aforesaid shall perform only what may be necessary to ensure the uninterrupted conduct of official business.
Executive Councillors may be impeached by the King or the Parliament for maladministration of office. The Supreme Court shall try cases of impeachment brought against Executive Councillors for maladministration of office.
Should the King be prevented from holding a meeting of the Executive Council, he may entrust the discussion of any matter to a Ministerial Council. Such a Council shall consist of all the Executive Councillors, and shall be presided over by the First Minister. The debate and vote of each Executive Councillor shall be entered in a minute book, and any question shall be decided by a majority of votes. The First Minister shall submit the minutes, signed by the Executive Councillors present, to the King, who shall decide whether he will immediately consent to the recommendations of the Council, or have the matter brought before the Executive Council.
Part Three – The Civil Service
Rules governing the appointment of civil servants shall be laid down by statute. No person shall be appointed a civil servant unless he is a Subject of New England. All civil servants who are appointed shall make a solemn declaration of allegiance to the King and to the office of which they are appointed.
Rules governing the dismissal, transfer, and pensioning of civil servants shall be laid down by the Parliament.
Civil servants appointed by the King shall be transferred without their consent only provided that they do not suffer loss of income in respect of their posts or offices, and that they have been offered the choice of such transfer or retirement on pension under the general rules and regulations as prescribed by the Parliament.
