The 2480 Conclave

The 2480 Conclave was the third "election" for a new Emperor

Circumstances

Empress Aurora Valane and Emperor Colamere Tancredo were assassinated in 2476 and the Imperial Council initially decided to defer the conclave during the Zzenddi invasion. The Chancellor, Eleutheria 01 Ashpool became Regent, leading to the so-called "Disputed Regency".
After the Vote of No Confidence in Chancellor Ashpool, the Council called for a conclave. However this was cancelled after the attempted seizure of the Council by a marine force under orders of Chancellor Ashpool.
The disputed Regency lasted until 2480 when acting Chancellor Abner Grumman called for the Conclave to take place. Whilst the war wasn't over and his authority was limited, the Civil Service agreed that a Conclave could be called on the Acting Chancellor's authority and was set to take place on February 1 2480.
The Lord-Governors were summoned back to the Palace at Dhaka and senior civil servants oversaw the conclave. Each Governor was not permitted to leave the Palace and they were only allowed one staff aide in the Council chambers
The slates to vote on were laser-cut by the civil service and their specific carbon signature made them impossible to counterfeit

Preferatti

Lord Maddox Collingwood, the long-time leader of the liberal wing of the Council, announced that he would stand as a preferatti. The 50 year old lawyer and former Minister of Communications was also the Governor of the St Lawrence colony. Governor Collingwood stated that he would name Lord Sydal Bluth as his Chancellor
Lord Azrael Krane also announced he would stand as a preferatti. The conservative governor of Lightning Point was a former marine officer and known to have a long-standing rivalry with Lord Collingwood. Lord Krane announced that he would name Lord August Solarin II as his Chancellor
Lord Elyon Maquessa, the first of the Atans, announced that he too would stand as a preferatti on a broad-ranging platform of change.

Platform Speeches

Lord Krane

Authored by Lord Azrael Krane

To my fellow governors, peers of the Empire and concerned citizens. These are some of the darkest times in the history of the Empire and this is no time for a radical change in our direction or a massive change in policy. The Empire must defeat the unprovoked invasion of the Zzenddi, free worlds under occupation and then commit to what will likely be a very costly rebuilding program. However, it cannot be said that there is not need to reform the structure of our government. Therefore as well as offering my humble service as preferatti in the conclave, I offer you the below outlined aims and goals of what I should hope to achieve as Rex.
Win the war: the Empire and its allies must defeat the Zzenddi and end the war. All other goals are secondary until the threat of our occupation has ended. More than six million lives have been lost already; this is not the time to talk of peace when we must first win a war.
Rebuild and Repair: the worlds damaged by occupation must be rebuilt and the Navy must be brought back up to strength. The Empire will need to make difficult choices in order to put things right and we will need to work together to accomplish this. Once the war is over, the first priority will be a major rebuilding project.
Constitutional Reform: the recent crisis shows that our Imperial Governing structure cannot endure in its current form. Therefore as soon as I am elevated to Emperor, I will ask for the Council of Governors to begin plans for a constitutional convention to decide on a written convention for the Empire which will be adopted once it is written and approved.
Continuity of Government: I share the concerns that our government fell into disunity and dysfunction with the death of the Rexes. Therefore I would enact an executive order that will create a clear line of succession, with the Chancellor empowered to act but that the Rex would name a Regent in their will who will have the power of the Rex until the conclave or until voted out by the majority of the council. I would also enact an executive order to make sure that any future Chancellor who is defeated by a vote of confidence is removed from office.
Devolution of power: It is my fundamental belief that the Empire hoards too much power at its core and that the planetary governors should be allowed to govern for their people according to their specific needs. Therefore if I am elevated to Emperor, I will do all I can to move powers from the central Empire and the authority of the Emperor to the planetary governors
Government Style: It is my intent for our Imperial government to be smaller and leaner. Therefore many of the old government offices will be merged or handed off to the civil service. I will expect more of my government officers but also empower them to act. I shall also follow in the esteemed footsteps of predecessors and engage with the council and not attempt to rule above them, listening to their wise counsel.
Chancellor: If I am elevated, then I shall name Lord August Solarin II as the Lord-Chancellor and ask him to form a war-time government that is capable of ending the war with the Zzenddi.
I shall endeavor to answer your questions but I do beg your indulgence as I am a plain spoken former marine officer.I join my fellow preferatti in expressing my desire for the conclave to be conducted in the upright and positive fashion shown by our previous Rexs.

Lord Elyon Maquesa

From the office of Lord Elyon Maquessa, Lord Governor of Nova Terra:
I stand before you now as preferati in the Conclave of 2480. I hope to present a breath of fresh air given recent occurrences in our Empire. The Maquessas have never lusted after power, but are keen to see justice and morality be returned to the citizens of the empire, which is the only reason I feel now is the right time to stand for Rex. As such, I have a short and simple manifesto for my tenure as Rex.
This manifesto will be written into the contract, I will accept on becoming Rex, binding me to enact it immediately:

• No overall ruler. No more Emperor/Empress or Chancellor. All decisions will be conducted by council votes alone with no veto.
• Anti-cronyism rule: No house shall hold a station for more than two terms (currently a term is 5 years), or regain it within a further 4 terms.
• Retain Parliament's position as 'voice of the people'
• Reinstatement of freedom of speech
• Re-establishment of independent intelligence and justice ministries and possibly others on review.

While the above will make individual stations more powerful, actions that target a specific group (whether explicitly or implicitly) and any hostile foreign policy actions shall always be subject to a council vote. Once this is done, the role of Rex & Chancellor will be no more and any further laws or states of office can be established by proposal and passing a vote in the council chambers. The first order of business will be for Councillors to vote for office as usual, myself included. While this manifesto does not address the current situation within the Empire, it should be noted that the whole council will be fully empowered through this manifesto to bring swift aid to the citizenry.
If you feel that the time has come to end cronyism and corruption within the upper chambers of government, join me and let's end it once and for all.

Lord Maddox Collingwood

As I write this my home world of St Lawrence chafes under the heel of a harsh occupying force. Many more Terran citizens from all over the Empire face the same brutal reality. I like many others am unable to see my family, nor even guarantee their safety. Never has a Conclave been undertaken in more difficult times.
In putting my name forward as a Preferati I enter into a covenant that should I be selected as Emperor the safety and security of every Terran citizen be my first priority. I promise to reunite families torn apart by war and to give them the means to build a happy and peaceful future together. I will devote my life to the ideals that all citizens are equal, that all those that deserve justice will receive it and that nobody will be left behind. Terrans are capable of the most incredible things when we work together. I will ensure that rule by consensus becomes the watchword of policy decisions and that tyrants are consigned to the history books.
I wish the other Preferati the very best of luck in their campaigns and hope that this Conclave, in these exceptional circumstances, follow the positive patterns of those that preceded it.
Fixed term limits – The Rex will reign for a maximum period of 25 years.At which point their term will be completed and they will step down and will no longer be permitted to become Rex again. Furthermore, no member of the Rex's 'House' will be permitted to run concurrently. The Empire is a vast place, with ideals as diverse and unique as its population. No one family should dominate the highest office in the land and no Rex can run forever. The Conclave will be a once in a generation event..
Designated survivor – Each Rex will prepare a list of designated survivors so that in the event of their death before their term is complete there is a clear path to succession. A DS will only complete the original Rex's term, not 'restart the timer'. The Rex may place anyone they choose on the list so long as they have not been previously convicted of a high crime. This list is not relevant in the event that the Rex abdicate or is removed from office in a vote by the Council that is ratified by the Imperial Parliament. In those circumstances a Conclave is called.
Republicanism – The Collingwood ministry will gradually move the governance of the Empire to a more egalitarian stance. The office of Rex will see some of it's powers devolved to the Council and the Imperial Parliament. By the end of the Collingwood term the Rex will be more akin to a Prime Minister of old, with a cabinet of Ministers. They will still be a powerful voice in the chamber, but ultimate power will be divided more equally. As Rex I will work directly with the Council and Imperial Parliament to shape these reforms during my term.
Chancellorship – I name Lord Bluth as my Chancellor for the first 5 years of my term. In challenging times such as these an experienced andreliable head is required. Lord Bluth fits these criteria perfectly.
Rebuilding – We are still in the throes of one of the most devastating wars in Terran history, one which still sees many citizens under the yoke of an oppressive occupier. My first acts as Emperor will be solely focused on the winning of this war. Following this I look to implement rebuilding programmes to enable our citizens bounce back as quickly as possible. These will include:

• Rebuilding infrastructure,
• Economic stimulus,
• Healthcare reforms,
• Justice reforms,
• Rebuilding our defence forces
• A planet for the Indirians to call home

Closing statement – Those of you who know me understand that I truly care about the Empire and its peoples. I believe that the actions outlined in this document give our citizens the best hope for a bright and prosperous future following the horrors of the Zzenddi War. If we stand united, treat our political opponents with dignity and respect, strive towards ending corruption and put our citizens at the forefront of everything we do then we can rise from the ashes of this devastating conflict into a new golden age for the Empire.
Long Live the Empire

The First Ballot

The first ballot took place after just 48 hours of debate,

• Lord Azrael Krane - 14 votes
• Lord Elyon Maquessa - 6 votes
• Lord Maddox Collingwood -4 votes
• Abstains -1 vote

Aftermath

Lord Azrael Krane was therefore elevated to the role of Rex, becoming the fifth Dynasty to hold the title of Emperor.
Lord Azrael appointed a colleague from the Marine corps, Colonel Harrow Morgan, to the post of Imperial Equerry.
Emperor Krane named Lord August Solarin II as the Lord Chancellor and tasked him with forming a new War-time government.