Amendments
Add an amendment: “Section 1. Structure of the Legislature
The legislative power of Avalon shall…”
Section 1. Structure of the Legislature
The legislative power of Avalon shall be vested in a bicameral parliament consisting of two distinct legislative bodies: the House of Commons and the Senate of Avalon.
Section 2. The House of Commons
(a) The House of Commons shall comprise 100 members directly elected by the citizens of Avalon every 12 months, retaining its role as the primary democratic assembly and confidence chamber.
(b) The House of Commons shall retain sole authority over the formation, maintenance, and dissolution of the government, including the election and removal of the Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Home Secretary, Foreign Secretary, and Secretary of State for Defence.
(c) All legislative proposals concerning taxation, government expenditure, and national budget allocation must originate in the House of Commons.
Section 3. The Senate of Avalon
(a) The Senate of Avalon is hereby established as the upper chamber of the legislative branch, designed to ensure thorough scrutiny, stability, and regional or expert representation in national lawmaking.
(b) The Senate shall consist of 50 Senators, selected or elected under terms established by parliamentary statute, serving staggered four-year terms to provide institutional continuity.
(c) The Senate shall have full authority to review, debate, amend, or delay legislation passed by the House of Commons, subject to the reconciliation procedures set forth in Section 4.
Section 4. Legislative Procedure and Veto Power
(a) Every bill passed by the House of Commons shall immediately be transmitted to the Senate of Avalon for consideration.
(b) The Senate may approve, amend, or reject any bill within 60 days of transmission. If approved without amendments, the bill shall become law.
(c) If the Senate amends or rejects a bill, it shall return to the House of Commons with an explanatory statement. The House of Commons may override a Senate rejection or veto by a secondary vote requiring an absolute majority of its total membership.
Section 5. Constitutional Powers and Oversight
(a) Approval of international treaties and major constitutional amendments shall require the consent of both the House of Commons and the Senate of Avalon.
(b) The Senate shall possess sole authority to hold confirmation hearings for judicial appointments made by the Prime Minister to the Supreme Court of Avalon.
Section 6. Transition and Implementation
Upon ratification of this amendment, the current Parliament shall transition into the House of Commons, and elections or selections for the initial Senate of Avalon shall take place within 90 days.
The Parlementary Bodies: The establishment of a bicameral legislature through the introduction of the Senate of Avalon alongside the existing House of Commons marks a crucial step in the institutional maturity and stability of our republic. While a unicameral system offers rapid legislative action, it inherently lacks the system of checks and balances necessary to prevent rushed, ill-considered, or overly partisan legislation. By introducing a second chamber dedicated to careful deliberation and scrutiny, Avalon protects its citizens against volatile policy shifts and ensures that all laws undergo rigorous review before enactment.
The division of responsibility between the House of Commons and the Senate of Avalon is purposefully structured to preserve democratic accountability while enhancing legislative quality. The House of Commons remains the primary popular body—directly responsible to the electorate through yearly elections and retaining sole control over confidence motions, executive appointments, and fiscal policy. This guarantees that the government remains highly responsive to the immediate public will. Conversely, the Senate of Avalon provides essential continuity through longer, staggered terms, allowing Senators to focus on long-term national strategy, detailed committee review, and constitutional oversight without the immediate pressure of constant reelection cycles.
Furthermore, the introduction of the Senate strengthens the separation of powers within the nation. Giving the Senate authority over judicial confirmation hearings ensures that executive appointments to the Supreme Court receive impartial oversight, safeguarding judicial independence. Requiring dual-chamber approval for foreign treaties guarantees that international commitments reflect a broad national consensus rather than a temporary parliamentary majority.
Importantly, the proposed amendment includes a balanced reconciliation mechanism. While the Senate possesses significant powers to delay and amend legislation, the House of Commons retains the ultimate authority to override a Senate veto via a secondary absolute majority vote. This ensures that the Senate functions as a constructive chamber of sober second thought rather than an obstacle to democratic governance. Establishing the House of Commons and the Senate of Avalon creates a more resilient, balanced, and effective constitutional structure for the future of Avalon.
