Politics in the Commonwealth of Pem

Politics in the Commonwealth of Pem operates on a parliamentary system, utilising both representative democratic and appointed elements. 
According to the celebrated Pemblish constitutional scholar William Bagehot-Simmleton, the Commonwealth's administration may be divided up into three sections: the Undercourt, the Government and the Ministry. 
However, since Pem's constitution evolved over time rather than being designed as such, these divisions are not mutually exclusive, or even clearly defined at all. There are overlaps; for example, that the Lord Protector is selected from within the ranks of the Upper House, or how by convention the Lord Protector may appoint their choice of Ministers for governmental departments from anywhere within the administration as a whole. 
The Undercourt, according to Bagehot-Simmleton, is constituted by "the two houses of the Court, both Lower and Upper". It is responsible for originating legislation in the form of Acts of Undercourt, which are then enacted by the Government. 
[Explain the roles of each House, and how from the Lower House is elected the Retainer of State (who operates the day-to-day operations of politics in the Undercourt, effectively head of the Undercourt despite being by tradition seen as "lesser than the lords"), and from the Upper House is elected is the Lord Protector, who is the head of government and state].
The Government by contrast is typically appointed by the Undercourt to define policies and enact the legislation produced in the Undercourt. It is headed by the Lord Protector, the Cabal of Ministers, Junior Minister and their respective Ministries. 
The Lower House elects representatives for constituencies according to a first-past-the-post system, in addition to representatives from each official Guild, and the eight appointed Members of the Coloured Cloth who represent the Church of Pem. Whilst officially political parties are not legally permitted, informal alliances of members are common.
Lords in the Upper House are appointed by the Lord Protector, however members of either House may submit a vote of no confidence against any proposed appointee which the Lord Protector submits for approval.
The Lord Protector is appointed from among the members of the upper house by a vote in both Houses. Due to this, incumbent Lord Protectors are in the habit of appointing new Lords according to how agreeably servile they are to them.
Category:Pemblish Politics