The 2025 Summer Session of Parliament has ended with the election of a new Speaker and the passage of a final Act before the Summer Recess.

With the previous Speaker, Laird Addison O’Halloran, having become the new Prime Minister on 14 June, Lord Sander Koff was elected her successor by the House on 21 July.

The new Speaker oversaw the enacting of the Territorial Changes Act 2025, which was granted Imperial Consent on Thursday 24th. This formally dissolves Corinium Terentium, the territory over which ousted former Prime Minister Andrew Musgrave attempted to form a rival “Commonwealth” government, and also grants official recognition to the secession of New South Scotland.

The former Crown Dependency of New South Scotland, now a sovereign independent Republic, is led provisionally by Sir Hugh McFarlane, who served as its governing commissioner for many years under Austenasia.

Sir Hugh remains an Austenasian national, and indeed an elected Representative for non-residential Austenasian subjects, taking part in this most recent parliamentary business. The recent Act makes it law that the imperial government shall prioritise the maintenance of positive relations with New South Scotland.

This clause was based on a similar one included in the legislation which recognised the secession of New Virginia in 2020. Sadly, relations with the said former Austenasian Duchy have not always been as close as originally intended, and despite reconciliation in 2023, suffered another downturn during the Musgrave premiership.

The primary cause of said downturn was offence caused by the behaviour of Musgrave towards some leading New Virginians personally and also towards the country as a whole. Following his removal from office, an apology on behalf of the Austenasian nation was sent to the New Virginian government jointly signed by Emperor Aggelos I, Laird O’Halloran, and Chief Ambassador Lord Otto Green.

A positive and gracious response was received from New Virginian leader Vera Hewitt on 19 July, and it is hoped that constructive diplomatic dialogue will begin later in the year subject to New Virginian approval.

The Summer Session of 2025 saw an attempted coup, a Prime Minister removed by vote of no confidence, another resignation, territorial changes, and a seismic diplomatic realignment.

As Parliament adjourns for the Summer Recess, Austenasians can hopefully look forward to a much calmer and more productive era in our nation’s history, with unity and friendship at the forefront of the Empire’s life.