Crown colony

A crown colony is a territorial possession of the United Kingdom that is granted special recognition and distinction from a colony through letters patent. The crown colonies, often preceded by the word royal to emphasise the political, economic, and military support by the Crown, constitute an integral—some say the primary—part of the Oceanic Empire.

Definition

Political

Typically crown colonies exhibit small populations, as compared to the Home Countries of the United Kingdom, and as such often lack the requisite economy of scale to complete and maintain infrastructure necessary for a safe and functional society. Often in such cases, the crown colony in question petitions the Government for funding and subsidies that are then awarded on the merits of the claim as determined by Parliament.

Representation in Imperium will frequently be weaker than that of the constituent Home Countries. As of 2006 there is no formal body to represent the crown colonies in Imperium although plans have been considered off and on for much of the past decade. Instead, colonists and settlers will press their claims, queries, and grievances through a representative of the Crown: a Royal Governor who is appointed by the Sovereign at the recommendation of Parliament.

Within the crown colony a limited form of self-government may or may not be practiced. Where the population grows to a sufficient level—and in accordance to local wishes—the Parliament in Imperium may pass an Act of Parliament and grant unto the crown colony the right to form a legislative assembly. This assembly, however, is a devolved form of self-government derived from the unitary Government in Imperium.

Economic

Most crown colonies evidence poorly-developed economies, many consisting of a dependence upon a scant few exports, most of those minerals and natural resources. The crown colonies thus become dependent on an export-driven economic system that relies itself upon the existence of a continual market for the crown colony’s particular resource of value.

Historically, the United Kingdom supported such colonies through a system of imperial preference; however, in the latter portions of the 20th century, the Democratic Socialist governments of Reginald Baker and the Marquess of Salisbury favoured the reduction of tariffs upon imports that thus undermined and eventually ended the imperial preference for the crown colonies.

Since the end of imperial preference, the economic growth of the crown colonies has slowed. In part, this can be blamed upon the comparatively high cost of labour, in comparison to cheaper Third World sources of unskilled labour, and of poorly-developed infrastructure creating an uncompetitive economic environment. Thus, recent statements by backbench Democratic Socialist MPs and even members of the opposition Conservatives have indicated a growing resurgence in the idea of imperial preference.

Military

As a territory lacking sovereignty, the realms of foreign and defence affairs fall to the Government in Imperium. In some situations, this constitutes a formal presence of Royal Armed Service personnel in the crown colony in question. In some more unstable crown colonies, e.g. New Albion and New London, a semi-permanent military presence is required to quell simmering insurrections and armed movements for greater autonomy and/or independence.

Some crown colonies, such as Oceanian Lindim, exist solely to provide for the overseas deployment of Royal Armed Services personnel. These cases, however, are the exception and in fact most colonies traditionally have a relatively light imprint of the United Kingdom’s military often for fear of pushing the colonists and citizens away from the Crown.

Relationship with the UK

Responsibility for the oversight of the crown colonies lay with the Colonial Office, headed by the Secretary of State for Colonial Affairs, currently Viscount Thomas Cahill. The sole exception to this structure for jurisdiction is that of Oceanian Lindim, for which the Ministry of Defence retains responsibility owing to the colonies non-civilian nature.

As constituent elements of the Oceanian Empire, the crown colonies do not maintain separate diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom and instead present their claims and concerns to the Government through their representatives, royal governors.

Inter-colonial relations are handled in a limited official capacity by the Committee for Imperial Defence, ostensibly created to coordinate peacetime defence of the Empire although in modern times it functions as body where all members of the Empire are represented in one advisory body. Unofficially, the Council of Colonial Relations, a semi-private organisation based in Georgetown with offices in Philadelphia and the capitals of the respective members, represents the interests of the colonies in their own bilateral dealings and their dealings as a whole with the UK establishment, both political and economic.

Citizenship

As of 2007, full citizenship is not offered to those living in the crown colonies except in cases of settlers immigrating from home countries in the United Kingdom or those descended from two settles who have immigrated from home countries.

Citizenship remains a fiercely debated issue in both Parliament and the colonies, the former seeing unstable colonies such as New London and New Albion as prime examples as to why colonials should not have unrestricted travel access to the United Kingdom proper. Colonials, however, continue to press for full citizenship--some demanding that if not granted their respective political representatives would seek for independence.

Foreign Relations

As non-sovereign entities, the crown colonies are not entitled to conduct their own foreign affairs, foreign affairs remaining the responsibility of the Crown and HM Government. However, several colonies dispatch official representatives to their foreign neighbours in support of Foreign Office postings to assist in trade and immigration purposes.

List of Crown Colonies

• Avinapolis
• Kinaylesdon
• King John Islands
• New Albion
• New Frisia
• New London
• Port Elizabeth
• Oceanian East Recedentia
• Oceanian Equatorial Recedentia
• Oceanian Lindim
• Oceanian Sarnia
• Resolution Islands
• San Marcos

List of Former Crown Colonies

• Novikov, integrated into the United Kingdom as a Home Country as a result of the Union Act of 2006
• The Indian Islands were officially classified as a crown colony until 2005 when the territory was granted the status of a home country by the Empire Act, an act that remains controversial given the size, population, and economic output of the territory.