An Idiot's Guide to Politics in the UKSK

The UKSA is a constitutional monarchy. The Monarch is head of state and the armed forces, among others, but regular governance is undertaken by an elected Prime Minister and a Cabinet appointed by the Monarch on the advice of the PM. The PM is usually the leader of the largest party in the national parliament based in Fyreside.

The Nations

The UKSK is a union of the five nations on the islands of Symphony and Kernow. This was formally created several centuries ago when a personal union of three nations and two more independent nations applied for joint membership of the World Assembly. After being rejected on the basis that such a membership was too much of an administrative headache, the five nations created a national parliament to speak on their behalf and thus the state of the UKSA was born.

The Constitution

In short, there is no UKSK constitution because the 5 home nations that form the UKSK couldn't, can't and probably never will be able to agree on one. In practice there are many customs and conventions that make up a de facto constitution, alongside contributions from legislation, common law, generally acknowledged human and legal rights, and some international treaties, among others. The constitution has evolved over several centuries and continues to be changed over time. The main tenet is that the national parliament is sovereign above all else. It can give itself any powers it likes and make any laws through a majority vote, although that is trickier than it sounds. Furthermore, parliament cannot bind future parliaments, nor can it be bound by laws passed by past parliaments.

The National Parliament

The National Parliament of the UKSK is based in Fyreside. It is a tricameral parliament, that is, it is made up of three houses or chambers. The lowest house, and the one with the primary legislative powers, is the House of Ordinaries. This house is made up of 400 members, elected through the First Past The Post system through single member constituencies. Elections must be held no more than 7 years after the last, and are called at the discretion of the PM, who advises the Monarch on when to dissolve the House of Ordinaries. Seats in this house are Red.

The middle house is the House of Delegates. There are 300 delegates, elected by Single Transferable Vote through multi member constituencies. The members of the House of Delegates are elected to 15 year terms and may not seek re-election for any reason whatsoever. Elections are held every 5 years when a third of positions are put up for election. As a result of the rule banning re-election, a significantly larger proportion of the Delegates are independents and not part of any political party. This house's legislative power is less than that of the Ordinaries given that the Delegates can be overridden by the Ordinaries. Seats in this house are Orange.

The upper house is the House of Royal Associates, often shortened to the House of Royals. This house has 200 members, known as "Lords" or "Ladies", in contrast to members of the other houses who have the title of "Legislator". This house is considered to be weakest because it can be overridden by both houses, however it can join the Delegates to jointly override the Ordinaries. Seats in this house are Green

In addition, The House of Royals is unelected, and instead are appointed by the Monarch on the advice of an independent commission who appoint members on the basis of skill and expertise in a certain area (Erudite Lords/Ladies) or significant achievements or contributions to society in UKSA or the global community (Discovery Lords/Ladies). Lords and Ladies are appointed for life, or until they renounce their legislative privileges and retire. Former members of the House of Royals still retain their titles. Members of the House of Royals are expected to have a good working knowledge of UKSK politics and the constitution, be committed to upholding a high standard of public life, and to have the time to be available and active in the House of Royals' debates and votes.

Members of any house can be considered for removal by an ad-hoc committee of 11 (usually the longest serving members in the house) of their fellow members only under the following circumstances:

-The member in question requests it
-The member dies
-The member is convicted by a court of law for a criminal offence. This does not include a member receiving an on-the-spot fine for offences such as unpaid parking tickets or littering.
-The member has a bullying complaint upheld by the Independent Commision for Member's Conduct. This can be if the member is accused of bullying by a civil servant, assistant, member of parliament staff or the Police Officers assigned to protect Parliament as part of the Diplomatic and Government Protection Squads. (In this situation the matter will also be put to a vote of the House the member is a part of. If a vote fails to gain a majority then the member retains their seat.)

National Elections

Anyone who is a citizen of the UKSK or has permanent leave to remain, and is over the age of 18 may vote in elections to the House of Ordinaries, anyone who is a citizen of the UKSK or has permanent leave to remain, and is over 16 may vote in elections to the House of Delegates. Voting is barred if you are in gaol serving a sentence, those on remand while awaiting trial are escorted under armed guard to the polling station where they would vote if living in their own home.

Voting is compulsory and everyone eligible is automatically enrolled. Failure to vote results in a fine proportionate to your monthly income, like all other fines in the UKSK. Anyone who is unable to vote in person is allowed to vote by post up to three weeks in advance or nominate a trusted proxy who will go to the polling station and vote on their behalf. Nomination of a proxy can be done up until 9:30pm on polling day, and in the event this cannot occur a vote can be cast up until the point members are sworn in. This has never overturned an election, although it has come extremely close in some cases. Polling stations are open between 5am and 10pm on polling day, and anyone who is in line waiting to vote must be allowed to cast their vote.

To stand in a National Election (or any election the UKSK) candidates must have voted in at least one election for both houses and be at least 21 years of age. Each candidate must pay a 500 Shell deposit, which is returned so long as the candidate receives at least 2.5% of the vote. This is a measure to prevent an excess of joke candidates. Candidates must not have any uncompleted or ongoing criminal sentences, except unpaid fines or court costs.

In recognition of the fact that there are some people who will not feel inclined to vote for any candidate at all, it is a legitimate option to spoil your ballot or vote for "none of the presented candidates". In the unlikely case where these are the most voted for options in a constituency, the election for that constituency is rerun. Candidates who withdraw rather than run again have their deposits returned.

Votes are marked using pen and paper. The ballot papers are placed in boxes which are sealed using tamper proof seals. After 10pm and all voters waiting have cast their votes the boxes are transported to each constituencies counting centre. No box or postal vote (except the sample of postal votes opened to detect any possible fraud or tampering) is opened until every box and postal vote has arrived and the doors to the counting centre are locked. At all times until the votes are unsealed they are accompanied by a representative from each candidate (usually a party official) and while the votes are counted every member has a right to be in the room where votes are being counted.

Political Parties

Parties Who Have An Elected Representative at Any Level of Government

The Christian Greens
Centre-left party who were the first to focus on environmental issues, more conservative on social issues. Policies include:
-Expansion of public transport
-Free public transport for students, those who have retired and are drawing a pension, serving members of the armed forces, emergency service workers and public healthcare workers,
-Maintaining the near-total ban on private automobiles.
-Maintaining the nuclear, biological and chemical weapons free zone within the territory of UKSK and its protectorates, regardless of allied or enemy statues.
-An expansion of state housing to combat high house prices.
-More National Parks and Protected Marine Reserves

People's Torch
Centre-right party economically (in terms of UKSK), although more liberal than the Christian Greens on some social issues. Policies include:
-Restricting govt. spending to eliminate govt. deficit and reduce debt to GDP ratio
-Lowering corporation tax rates
-Elimination of compulsory military service.
-Privatisation of the postal service and allowing competition on transport networks.
-Minor reductions of tariffs on trade.

Socialist Party
Substantially more left wing than Christian Greens but more liberal on social issues. Policies include:
-Nationalisation of most of the economy
-Prohibition of large business
-Massively expanded welfare state

Yellow Alliance
Libertarian party formed by merging several smaller parties. Policies include:
-Expanding gun rights
-Eliminating corporation tax
-Privatisation of most public services
-Elimination pf compulsory military service
-Legalisation of euthanasia and liberalisation of abortion regulations
-Promotion of free trade
-Relaxation of environmental and employment regulations

Pirate Party
Single issue party focusing on removal of intellectual property, copyright and trademark laws.

Vulnerability
Not quite single issue but along that line. Formed by the rapid expansion of an animal welfare party in the wake of a scandal where several doctors were found to be manipulating patients. Policies include:
-Strong penalties for animal abuse
-Tightening sentences for abuse of power by persons in a position of power.

A Selection Of Parties Who Do Not Have An Elected Representative At Any Level Of Government

National Advance
-Fascists, have been investigated and fined for racism.

S&K Communist Party

Republic
-Campaigns for abolition of the Monarchy

Legalise Cannabis Now

S&K LGBTQ+ Alliance

Countryside Alliance

Transparency Group
-In favour of increased scrutiny on intelligence services and the government.

Down With Bureaucracy