Christmastide statement from the Prime Minister

This year, Emperor Jonathan I did not issue his customary Christmas broadcast, but rather delegated that honour to the Prime Minister, Lord John Gordon. Technical problems have prevented him from recording a broadcast, but he has published the following statement: Austenasians, Friends and Subjects, I must first start by apologizing for the lateness of this speech. As you can imagine, it’s been a busy period.  This Christmas we reflect not only on this year, but also on ourselves. This year has been full of hardship and sacrifice and we have risen to the challenge. With Covid-19 ravaging the world, it hasn’t been the best of years. However, we all came together in the spirit of community and I could not be more proud. We must also remember those we have lost this year due to the pandemic: they will never be forgotten. This year for Austenasia has been turbulent, beginning with the crisis with the Constitutional Referendum and Dionisiy’s subsequent resignation which gave me the reigns of government, but we have emerged stronger and more united. Austenasia is my home and I am so proud to be an Austenasian. This Christmas I want us to remember the words of Jesus when he told of the Good Samaritan in the Bible (Luke 10:25-37). We must help our neighbor as we help ourselves. I want 2021 to be an illustrious year for Austenasia, and I promise you I will do everything I can to make that a reality.  Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year! Lord John Gordon, Viscount of ThetfordPrime Minister of AustenasiaPalasia30 December 2020, the Sixth Day of Christmas

First confirmed case of COVID-19 amongst Austenasian population

A non-residential subject of Austenasia tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus in mid-December, but is making a swift recovery. The subject, who has asked to remain anonymous, went into self-isolation upon receiving the positive test. He has now reported feeling better, and stated that his symptoms are improving. It was not necessary for him to be hospitalised. As the infected person is a non-residential subject and does not live within Austenasia itself, this positive case has not posed any direct threat to any other Austenasians. March earlier this year saw three suspected cases of coronavirus, and early September saw a suspected case in Palasia, but all four individuals affected either tested negative or soon stopped displaying symptoms. This case is the first which has been officially confirmed as COVID-19 by a positive test. UPDATE 8 JANUARY 17:15 – The Austenasian Times is pleased to confirm that the infected Austenasian has completely recovered, and is now back at work.

Imperial Family celebrates Christmas under coronavirus restrictions

A toned-down Christmas Day was yesterday celebrated by the Imperial Family due to restrictions currently in force in neighbouring areas of the United Kingdom to protect people from the spread of coronavirus. Christmas would usually see the immediate Imperial Family hosting or being hosted by the relatives of Emperor Mother Margaret for Christmas dinner, but in order to help prevent Covid-19 spreading between households, new restrictions brought in earlier this month by the British government have forbidden different families from meeting. Plans to allow up to three households to meet together over Christmas were cancelled after a new strain of the virus was discovered in England. The Imperial Family was, however, able to attend the customary morning service at Carshalton Methodist Church, albeit wearing masks, socially distanced from other families, and with no congregational singing, as per the rules imposed regarding corporate worship. Emperor Jonathan I did not give his usual Christmas broadcast, instead delegating that honour to the Prime Minister, Lord John Gordon. The broadcast will be published at some point over the wider Christmas season, prior to the New Year. The Emperor was, however, able to wish the people and supporters of Austenasia a merry Christmas in a post on the Empire’s official Facebook group, in which he shared photographs taken of the Imperial Family’s visit to church that morning. The customary Christmas cards to Austenasian and foreign dignitaries were also successfully sent off. With the success of ongoing vaccination efforts, next year’s Christmas should hopefully see a return to relative normality.

Two new Austenasian Towns founded

Sunday 20th December saw two new Towns formed in the Empire of Austenasia. Blue Ridge, which was founded in July as an uninhabited Territory, became a Town after it expanded to claim a neighbouring residential property. The second new town is New Flat Rock, a property claimed from North Carolina for Austenasia by its residents and owner. Both new towns have a population of five, and so have boosted Austenasia’s population by ten to one hundred and nineteen, a new record. Lady Addison Dillon, governor of Blue Ridge while it was a territory, has been appointed its Acting Representative now it is a town. The now Lord Hunter Prater, who led the initiative of claiming New Flat Rock for Austenasia, has been made its Acting Representative and granted the title Count of Henderson.

Bregusland’s territory to be ceded in the New Year

The Crown Dependency of Bregusland will be dissolved as a territorial entity at the end of the year. This was formalised by an Act of Parliament passed yesterday. The land composing the Crown Dependency will be ceded back to the United States due to its population moving to a new property. The current residents of Bregusland will be granted non-residential subjectship and so remain Austenasians. Bregusland was founded as an Austenasian Territory in March 2019, expanding into a Crown Dependency with the annexation of a neighbouring house in March earlier this year.

Electoral reforms for general elections

Saturday 28th November saw Parliament pass legislation establishing a regular schedule for general elections and preventing Prime Ministers from running for a third consecutive term without parliamentary approval. Under the 2008 Constitution, general elections were to take place every three years, on January 1st. After the 2009 general election, the next was scheduled to take place on 1 January 2012, but the 2011 Constitution came into force before this date was reached. Under the current 2011 Constitution, the date of a general election is decided at the discretion of the Monarch or Prime Minister, and can take place anywhere from six months to four years after the previous one. Saturday’s Act of Parliament has added a restriction to this clause, to the effect that the full range of dates constitutionally available can only be considered in an emergency; otherwise, under ordinary circumstances, general elections are to take place on a day between the 1st and 12th of February every four years. This provides greater certainty regarding the future, with the next general election now scheduled to take place in early February 2024. A second reform affects the ability of a Prime Minister to run for three or more consecutive terms. Although not a term limit in a strict sense, in future, a Prime Minister who has served more than seven of the past eight years in office will have to seek a vote of approval from the House of Representatives in order to stand for re-election. No limits on consecutive terms have previously been applied. The only requirements to run in a general election are to be a sitting Representative with the (never before refused) approval of the Monarch; requirements which also have to be met by a Prime Minister running for re-election. The longest serving Prime Minister in Austenasia’s history was Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy. He held office from 4 March 2015 to 13 February 2020, just three weeks shy of five years.

Record-breaking expansion with new Crown Dependency

Tuesday 27th October saw the Crown Dependency of Pontunia founded with the annexation of a large number of properties from the outskirts of New Orleans. Pontunia was founded in January 2020, and has existed as a self-governing community since then under the leadership of its duke, Andrew I. Dozens of relatives and family friends joined Pontunia, claiming their houses for the duchy, which also claimed two local parks frequented by its citizens. The idea of coming under Austenasia’s sphere of influence grew in popularity in Pontunia, until Andrew I contacted the Austenasian government earlier this month with a request to join the Empire as an autonomous Crown Dependency. This new annexation has broken several records. For one, it is the largest boost to the Austenasian population in history, with twenty three new residents. The has increased the Austenasian population to a record high of 109. As well as becoming the local-level administrative division with the largest population in Austenasian history (the previous record held by New Richmond at 20), Pontunia is also comprised of the greatest number of non-contiguous areas of land, with fifteen separate land claims (thirteen houses and two parks). As a Crown Dependency, Pontunia now falls under Austenasian sovereignty, but is autonomous from Parliament and Cabinet in regard to domestic affairs, in which absolute power is held by the Emperor and exercised by his governing commissioner (in this case Duke Andrew I). For domestic administration, the Duke has chosen to retain the system of government held by Pontunia prior to its annexation.

Lord Michael Simpson claims third property for Austenasia

A new Territory was annexed by Austenasia yesterday morning as Lord Michael Simpson, Count of Occibrazos, claimed a five acre property from Colorado for the Empire. The new Territory has been named Elliessium Colorandum, after Lord Simpson’s granddaughter Ellie and the U.S. state from which it was annexed. Lord Simpson has previously claimed for Austenasia two other pieces of land he owns, namely the Territory of Florencium Carolina on 20 July and the Town of Procyon on 5 October earlier this year. He has also served as Austenasian Consul in Texas since June, and has been appointed Governor of this newest land claim. Elliessium Colorandum is uninhabited, but may be used for agricultural purposes in the future.

New Town and Crown Dependency join the Empire

Monday 5th October saw the new Town of Procyon and the new Crown Dependency of Kaiomenia annexed by Austenasia. Procyon is a residential property claimed from the Texan city of Killeen by its two residents, Lord Michael Simpson and his wife, the former of whom has been appointed the new town’s Acting Representative. Lord Simpson already served as Governor of the Territory of Florencium Carolina, which is situated just over six miles to the south-west of Procyon. The second claim, Kaiomenia, has been ceded to Austenasia by Ovrestlia, a Greek nation ruled by Thomas Marios I. As part of negotiations to formalise diplomatic relations between Austenasia and Ovrestlia in September, it was agreed that the latter would cede an area of land to the Empire. This was finalised with the creation of the new Crown Dependency, which will be governed autonomously by Thomas Marios I. Kaiomenia is composed of an area of undeveloped land to the north-west of the Greek city of Agrinio.

Austenasia celebrates 12th anniversary

The Empire of Austenasia today celebrates Independence Day, marking twelve years since the Declaration of Independence was sent in September 2008. To mark the occasion, a broadcast has been released by Lord William Wilson, the Deputy Prime Minister. Another broadcast by the Prime Minister himself, Lord John Gordon, is expected later today. Celebrations will be taking place across the Empire. Emperor Jonathan I and his fiancée Princess Hannah the Augusta will this evening host dinner at a restaurant in Deva Victrix to be attended by local non-residential Austenasian subjects. The Emperor has also released the customary Honours List, the recipients on which are listed below: Independence Day 2020 Honours List Glorious Order of St. John: Lord John Gordon, Viscount of Thetford (Knight of Honour) HG Bradley, Duke of Dullahan (Knight of Honour) Lord William Wilson, Count of Oribrazos (Knight of Virtue) Order of the Bullmastiff: Lord Charles Ross, Duke of Occidentia (Knight) Brayden “Lee” Eaves (Knight) Austenasian Order: HFM Basileus Emmanuel I & II (Knight Commander) HH Despotes Aggelos (Knight Commander) HSH Edward I (Knight Commander) HM King Eran (Commander) HRH The Prince Nathan (Commander) Lord Remus Peroni, Duke of Viennensis (Commander) Lord Michael Simpson, Count of Occibrazos (Commander) Lord Austin Jaax, Baron of Kingeston (Commander) Thomas Marios I of Ovrestlia (Officer) HM King Cameron I (Officer) HG Aidan McGrath, Duke of Limiport (Officer) Lord Ismetcan Siraç, Count of Bithynia (Officer) Lord Casper von Naveria, Count of Cowyetton (Officer) Newton von Uberquie (Officer) Baron Archie Birch (Member) Thomas Bainbridge (Member) James Reginald Frisch (Member)