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Luke Macaulay

2007-11-23T12:23:01Z

203.129.47.48: /* Outer Ministry */

'''The Hon. Luke John Stewart Macaulay, MP''' (b. May 16, 1963) is the [[Prime Minister of Georgeland|Prime Minister]] of [[Georgeland]], following the [[Georgeland legislative election, 2007|2007 election]] where his [[Conservative Party of Georgeland]] won a majority of seats in the [[Georgeland House of Commons]]. Macaulay was formerly the [[Leader of the Georgeland Opposition]], gaining that position in April 2006 following the sudden death of [[Sam Richardson]]. 
Following his election victory, Macaulay was asked to form a government. Macaulay was sworn in by [[President of Georgeland|President]] [[Charlotte Lang]] on the morning of July 6, 2007. His Cabinet were sworn in immediately afterwards.
{{prettytable}}
|+<big>'''Luke Macaulay'''</big>
|-
[[Image:Macaulay.JPG|centre]]
|-
|'''Position''' || 26th [[Prime Minister of Georgeland]]
|-
|'''Term in office''' || July 6, 2007 -
|-
|'''Preceded by''' || [[Zoe Parker]]
|-
|'''Succeeded by''' || '''''Incumbent'''''
|-
|'''[[List of Georgeland political parties|Political party]]''' || [[Conservative Party of Georgeland|Conservative]]
|-
|'''Total time in office''' || '''''Incumbent'''''
|-
|'''Born''' || 16th May 1963
|-
|'''Constituency''' || [[Stevenson (electoral division)|Stevenson]]
|-
|'''Spouse''' || [[Alice Macaulay]] (married 1994)
|}
==Early life and career==
Born in [[Emilypolis]], [[Scoita]], in 1963, Macaulay was educated at the [[University of Santa Christina]] where he became a friend of [[Campbell Rhodes]]. In 1982, Rhodes defeated Macaulay in student body elections, though Macaulay himself nevertheless played an active role in student politics. He and Rhodes remain firm friends to this day, despite their differing ideologies. A member of the Tory Party since he was 19, Macaulay studied economics and was a practicing accountant in the mid-1980s, before giving it up because, in his own words "I wasn't boring enough".
==Beginning in politics==
In 1987, Macaulay, aged 24, stood for the House of Commons seat of [[Smithfield (electoral division)|Smithfield]] against future [[Prime Minister of Georgeland|Prime Minister]] [[Michael Elderton]] but lost. In 1991 he was defeated again for Smithfield, and following an electoral redistribution, stood for the seat of [[Stevenson (electoral division)|Stevenson]] in February 1995. He won, and has held the seat for the Conservatives ever since. 
In 2000, Macaulay was appointed to the Tory front bench by then-leader [[Benedict Ingram]] as Shadow Minister for the Arts, and was promoted by [[Mary Byrne]] to become Shadow Attorney General in 2001. In 2003, he stood for the party leadership on the resignation of [[Michael Fisch]] but was defeated by Richardson, who appointed him Shadow Minister for Finance and Manager of Opposition Business.
==Rise to the top==
In early 2004, Macaulay was appointed as Shadow Minister for Home Affairs. In October of that year, outspoken and controversial deputy leader [[Nick Sheridan]] resigned, and Macaulay was elected unopposed to replace him. He took Sheridan's Treasury portfolio as well. 
Macaulay hails from the Conservative party's moderate faction, and is considered the faction's unofficial leader. He has made several public statements conflicting with Tory policy, including reservations regarding the United States' invasion of Iraq. He has also stated he has no personal problem with gay marriage or abortion. 
Macaulay has been seen as a potential party leader and Prime Minister for some time. Supporters of Macaulay feel his youth and moderate image will be great electoral assets, as he is the very antithesis of the 'old, fat, boring, blustering Tory' image that has dogged the party for decades.
==Succession to leadership==
On April 16, 2006, Richardson suffered a massive heart attack and died in hospital an hour later. Macaulay, who had been attending the same function, accompanied Richardson in the ambulance and is therefore the last person, other than medical personnel, to see Richardson alive. Macaulay, as deputy, is now the acting Leader until a permanent replacement can be chosen. On April 25, Macaulay announced he would contest the [[Conservative Party of Georgeland leadership election, 2006|leadership ballot]], to be held on May 6.
==Leader of the Opposition==
Macaulay was elected by a margin of four votes, winning 80 out of 152 in the first ballot. Macaulay is the party's youngest leader to date, though he is less than a year younger than [[Michael Fisch]] was when he became leader. Shortly before his election, Macaulay announced he would end the party's official opposition to [[Abortion rights in Georgeland|abortion]], signalling a potential shift toward the centre for the Conservative Party. Macaulay ran on a joint ticket with [[Martin Higgins]], who became the party's new Deputy Leader and Defence spokesman. 
==2007 election==
Macaulay entered the [[Georgeland legislative election, 2007|election campaign]] of 2007 as the overwhelming front-runner, with polls suggesting his party could win as many as twenty-five seats from the incumbent government. Macaulay appointed a campaign team on Monday, 22 May, 2007. The Conservative Party's campaign chairman was [[Bob Kane]], MP, the Opposition Chief Whip. Notably, while Macaulay has moved his party's policy towards the centre, Kane represents the "old guard" of "dry" Conservatives. The choice was immediately attacked by the government, who claim it as evidence Macaulay is no different to his predecessors. 
Macaulay's Conservatives won 149 seats out of 265 at the election, a gain of 25 seats and a substantial victory against the incumbent Liberal Democrats. Prime Minister [[Zoe Parker]] conceded defeat on election night. Macaulay, in his victory speech, pledged to continue his modernisation and reform of the Conservative Party and not to betray the trust of the electors. 
On July 6, just less than a week after his election win, Macaulay was sworn in as Georgeland's 26th Prime Minister by President Lang at a ceremony at [[Martin Hall]]. He had named his [[Cabinet of Georgeland|Cabinet]] during the past week; the Cabinet was sworn in just after Macaulay. Key Cabinet appointments included [[Martin Higgins]] as [[Deputy Prime Minister of Georgeland|Deputy Prime Minister]], [[James Bradford]] as Treasurer and [[Stephen Hamer]] as Foreign Minister. 
Macaulay is the first Prime Minister since [[Victor Howard]] in 1970 to have never held ministerial office prior to his appointment. He is one of only three Prime Ministers of whom this is true.
==Macaulay Ministry==
===Cabinet===
*'''[[Deputy Prime Minister of Georgeland|Deputy Prime Minister]]''' and '''Minister for Defence''': Hon. [[Martin Higgins]], MP
*'''[[Georgeland Minister for Foreign Affairs|Minister for Foreign Affairs]]''' and '''Leader of the Government in the Senate''': Sen. Hon. [[Stephen Hamer]]
*'''Minister for Industry, Trade and Commerce''' and '''Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate''': Sen. Hon. [[Roland Cossey]]
*'''[[Treasurer of Georgeland|Treasurer]]: Hon. [[James Bradford]], MP
*'''Minister for Home Affairs and Administration''': Hon. [[Roberta James]], MP
*'''Minister for Finance and Economic Development''': Sen. Hon. [[John Ford]]
*'''Attorney General''' and '''Minister for Justice''': Hon. [[Nick Sheridan]], MP
*'''Minister for Workplace Relations''': Hon. [[Mary Byrne]], MP
*'''Minister for Health and Community Services''': Sen. Hon. [[John Sutherland]], MP
*'''Minister for the Environment and Resources''': Hon. [[Michael Armstrong]], MP
*'''Minister for Social Security, Families and Veterans Affairs''': Hon. [[Angela Nallern]], MP
*'''Minister for Education, Employment and Training''': Hon. [[Simon Berliner]], MP
*'''Minister for the Arts, Communications and Information Technology''' and '''[[Leader of the Georgeland House of Commons|Leader of the House of Commons]]''': Hon. [[Bob Prior]], MP
*'''Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries''': Hon. [[Mathieu Solberg]], MP
===Outer Ministry===
*'''Assistant Treasurer''' and '''Manager of Government Senate Business''': Sen. Hon. [Rachel McGann]] ''McGann replaced Sen. Hon. [[Tony Billson]] 23rd November 2007.
*'''Minister for Transport and Infrastructure''': Hon. [[Lisa Chan]], MP
*'''Minister for Science and Technology''': Sen. Hon. [[Julie Tutt]]
*'''Minister for Energy''' and '''Deputy Manager of Government Senate Business''': Sen. Hon. [[Geoff Hulskamp]]
*'''Minister for Climate Change''': Hon. [[Jennifer Duggan-Wright]], MP
*'''Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Population''': Hon. [[Morgan Davis]], MP
*'''Minister for Consumer Affairs and Small Business''': Hon. [[Ursula McKinnon]], MP
*'''Minister for Territories and the Federal District''': Hon. [[Russell Chambers]], MP
*'''Minister for Customs and the Coast Guard''': Hon. [[Tom Fairweather]], MP
*'''Minister for Sport, Tourism and Youth''': Hon. [[Madeline Woods]], MP
*'''Minister for Defence Industries''': Hon. [[Kelly Anderton]], MP
*'''Special Minister of State''': Sen. Hon. [[Harry Thomson]], MP

===Others===
*'''Chief Whip''': Hon. [[Bob Kane]], MP
*'''Deputy Chief Whip''': [[Sally Denny]], MP
*'''Chief Senate Whip''': Sen. [[Joan Haskett]]
*'''Deputy Chief Senate Whip''': Sen. [[David Graham]]
*'''Whips''': [[Sarah Smedley]], MP, [[Alan Best]], MP and Sen. [[Chris Price]]

==Personal life and religion==
Macaulay is a lapsed Presbytarian who does not regularly attend church and has said on occasion that he 'flirts with agnosticism'. Most Scoitan Tories are Roman Catholic - the minority Protestant population typically side with the non-Conservative parties. Macaulay has been an outspoken critic of the Catholic Church's 'stranglehold' on Conservative politics, particularly in his home state. 
Macaulay and his wife Alice have two children, Gerard (b. 1996) and Gwen (b. 1999), and reside in [[Emilypolis]].

==Personality==
''Macaulay:His Tory'', A biography by [[Louis Mangle]] in 2007 revealed aspects of Macaulay's personality and demeanour in private and public through the media, interviews with family and friends, and observation of Macaulay himself. In the book, Mangle describes Macaulay as 'almost supernaturally amiable', and says that Macaulay almost never seems to lose his temper. "His voice is the levellest one I have ever seen," one quote says. The same biography describes Macaulay as 'soft spoken' and 'mild-mannered'.
 
Macaulay apparently is also known in Conservative circles for never swearing (at least not outside his own home) and for a 'clean living' lifestyle - he has never smoked, and drinks alcohol only in moderation. 
An interview with [[Alice Macaulay]] in March 2007 revealed more information about Macaulay's character. Mrs. Macaulay said that he considers intolerance and prejudice to be "abhorrent". She also said that her husband can be considered somewhat of a practical joker, relating a story about Macaulay's university days in which he locked the Chancellor in his office and the fire brigade had to be called to release him.

==Trivia==
*As his name indicates, Macaulay is of [[Wikipedia:Scotland|Scottish]] ancestry. While his surname is Macaulay, his family have ties with the [[Wikipedia:Clan MacArthur|MacArthur]] clan through his paternal grandmother.
*Supports [[Emilypolis Football Club]]
*Speaks French, Latin and Russian
*Is an amateur historian and archaeologist, with a speciality in the Roman Empire.
*Macaulay is allergic to coffee, but not tea - he is subsequently a big tea drinker.
*Favourite brand of beer: Salinger's Extra Dry
*Macaulay is also fond of cooking, and has participated in several 'celebrity cook-offs' for TV, usually for charity.
*Member of Amnesty International.
*His favourite movie is ''[[wikipedia:Donnie Darko|Donnie Darko]]''.
*Fan of [[Wikipedia:Tom Jones|Tom Jones]], [[Wikipedia:Crosby, Stills and Nash|Crosby, Stills and Nash]], [[Wikipedia:The Beatles|The Beatles]] and [[Wikipedia:Emmylou Harris|Emmylou Harris]].
*Admitted in a 2007 interview that he is a fan of ''[[Wikipedia:Star Wars|Star Wars]]'', ''[[Wikipedia:Doctor Who|Doctor Who]]'' and ''[[Wikipedia:Battlestar Galactica|Battlestar Galactica]]''

{| border="1" align="center" width=700
|- align="center"
|width="30%"|Preceded by '''[[Sam Richardson]] '''
|width="40%"|'''[[Leader of the Georgeland Opposition]]''' April 16, 2006-May 6, 2006 '''(interim only)''' May 6, 2006 - July 6, 2007
|width="30%"|Succeeded by '''[[Michael Boyle]]''' ''(interim only)''
|- align="center"
|width="30%"|Preceded by '''[[Sam Richardson]] '''
|width="40%"|'''Leader of the [[Conservative Party of Georgeland]]''' April 16, 2006-May 6, 2006 '''(interim only)''' May 6, 2006 -
|width="30%"|Succeeded by '''''Incumbent'''''
|- align="center"
|width="30%"|Preceded by '''[[Zoe Parker]] '''
|width="40%"|'''[[Prime Minister of Georgeland]]''' July 6, 2007 -
|width="30%"|Succeeded by '''''Incumbent'''''
|}

[[Category:Nearly Real World]]
[[Category:Georgeland]]
[[Category:Georgeland politicians]]

Robin Edmonds

2007-11-23T07:18:38Z

203.129.47.48:

'''Robin David Edmonds''' (b. May 19, 1968, [[Zigit]]) is a [[Georgeland]] comedian and television star, who currently hosts the satirical game show ''[[Here Isn't The News]]'' on [[Georgeland Broadcasting Corporation|GBC TV]].
[[Image:Edmonds.jpg|right|frame|Robin Edmonds]] 
Born in [[Zigit]], Edmonds was educated at the [[University of Mainland]] and went into comedy as a way of paying off his student loans. Throughout the early 1990s he was a regular on the stand-up circuit, eventually becoming a regular participant in the GBC's ''[[Friday Night Debate]]'' programme in 1996 and 1997. His quirky, rambling, stream-of-conciousness style of comedy distinguished him out from the crowd, and in 1998 he became the host of a national radio program, simply entitled ''The Robin Edmonds Show''. In 2000 he was selected as the host of the pilot for ''HITN''; when the show was not picked up, he continued as a leading comedian and appeared several times at the [[Wikipedia:Edinburgh Fringe Festival|Edinburgh Fringe Festival]] and the [[Wikipedia:Melbourne International Comedy Festival|Melbourne International Comedy Festival]]. In 2005 the GBC commissioned ''HITN'' as a series, and Edmonds continued as host into 2006. 
Edmonds role as presenter has met with some criticism, as he reads his (scripted) lines from an autocue and thus loses the spontaneous style of comedy for which he is famed. His off-the-cuff banter with his co-hosts, however, has met with acclaim. 
Edmonds has been married to Lisa Paxton, a publicist and journalist, since 1999. The couple have two children, twins Barbara and Sarah, both born in 2001. Despite this, his (ficticious) lecherousness is a frequent target for mockery on ''HITN'', with panellists continually implying he sleeps with (or attempts to) the female guests, especially [[Julia Moffatt]] and [[Madeline Woods]].
In November 2007, the GBC announced that Edmonds would not present the third series of ''HITN'' and that they would announce the new host early next year. Edmonds will present the ''HITN'' Christmas Special, ''Here Isn't Christmas Again'', to air on December 21.

[[Category:Georgeland]]

Georgeland Presidential election, 2008

2007-11-22T11:44:23Z

203.129.47.48: /* Declared Candidates */

The '''Georgeland Presidential election of 2008''' will be the first in Georgeland since 1954. All Presidents from 1958 to 2004 have been appointed by [[Parliament of Georgeland|Parliament]]. In 2004, constitutional reforms brought the directly-elected Presidency back.

== Timing ==
The election may not occur in 2008 at all. When the [[Constitution of Georgeland]] was altered in 2004 it grandfathered incumbent [[President of Georgeland|President]] [[Charlotte Lang]], declaring there would be an election at the ''end of her term''. If Lang resigns, retires or dies prior to her term ending (in 2008), there is some confusion as to whether her successor would be elected. It could be argued that though Lang would no longer be President, her term nevertheless does not end until June 1, 2008 (the date specified) and that somebody could be appointed as President to complete Lang's term rather than have to face an election. The issue has not yet been put to the [[Supreme Court of Georgeland|Supreme Court]]. President Lang has given no indication she does not intend to serve a full term.

Assuming President Lang remains in office until the conclusion of her term, the Presidential election will take place on May 2, 2008, with the winner to be sworn in on June 1.

==Methods of Candidate Selection==
===Conservative===
The [[Conservative Party of Georgeland]] announced on March 25, 2007, that their candidate would be chosen in a national [[wikipedia:closed primary|closed primary]] in which all registered members of the Conservative Party, of which there are almost 250,000, would be eligible to vote. The winner will be declared on February 4, 2008.

===Liberal Democratic===
The [[Liberal Democratic Party of the United Islands|Liberal Democratic Party]] will choose its candidate at a national convention to be held on January 28, 2008. All 656 local branches of the LDP will each elect two delegates to the convention. The convention delegates will then select a candidate.
===Georgeland Alliance===
The [[Georgeland Alliance]] candidate will be selected by party members in a postal vote.
===Greens===
The [[Green Party of Georgeland]] announced on April 1, 2007, that it would choose its candidate in January 2008 by a vote of all party members.

== Registered Candidates ==
No candidate has yet formally registered for the election.

== Declared Candidates ==
===Liberal Democratic===
* [[Andrea Perkins]]. The former Deputy PM and leadership rival to [[Zoe Parker]] had said she was "interested" in exploring the idea of a Presidential run in early 2006. Perkins, in October 2006, told a small group of her supporters that if she were to run it would be on a national consensus platform with an emphasis on increasing dialogue and co-operation between all major political parties. In April 2007, Perkins announced the formation of a committee to investigate her options regarding a run, and launched a website entitled "The Perkins Project", requesting supporters to register to aid a potential Perkins campaign. On August 21, Perkins said she had been "overwhelmed" with support and that she would seek the Liberal Democratic nomination.
*[[Matthew Buckley]], former [[Chief Minister of Capitalia]], announced 11th September he would seek to become the Liberal Democratic nominee.
*[[Campbell Rhodes]]. Retiring at the end of July 2005, speculation had been that rife Rhodes may attempt a Presidential run in 2008. As a former Prime Minister, and a popular one at that, Rhodes is now considered the front-runner for the Liberal Democratic nomination. He announced his candidacy on ''Cryer Tonite'' and is so far the only candidate to have announced a significant policy. He announced he would prepare and deliver an annual "State of the Nation" report to Parliament, and lobby for change in areas where improvement is warranted. It should be noted that Rhodes was opposed to an elected Presidency. Rhodes, at 45, would be Georgeland's youngest President if he were to be elected. Rhodes has consistently avoided answering any questions on his political future, refusing to rule out a presidential bid.

===Conservative===
*[[Michael Fisch]] announced January 9, 2007 he would spend the year seeking the Conservative nomination. Fisch was considered the overwhelming front-runner for some time, but since the entry of [[Leyton Douglas]] into the race, speculation has increased that Fisch may not be selected.
*[[Leyton Douglas]], former [[Chief Minister of Mainland]] and a prominent academic at the [[University of Santa Christina]], announced 11th September he would run for President as a [[Conservative Party of Georgeland|Conservative]]. Douglas is now considered by some as the Conservative front-runner.
*[[Kyle Jonas]], former [[Chief Minister of Bradmarch]] (1993-2004). Jonas has the greatest amount of government experience of any candidate and was a highly successful state leader, though there were criticisms of his stances on abortion, gay rights and civil liberties issues. Jonas is considered as a "dark horse" candidate, as his hard-Right platform is at odds with the party's new doctrine of moderation, but Jonas remains popular with the party's base.

===Georgeland Alliance===
*[[Lois Daniels]], [[Mayor of Santa Christina]]. Daniels announced on November 8, 2007 that she would seek to become the Georgeland Alliance's nominee for President. Party leader [[Michael Elderton]], at one time considered a potential candidate himself, has enthusiastically endorsed her. Daniels hinted at a presidential run as early in May 2006 when she called for a 'standard bearer' to challenge the two major parties, pointing to the Presidential election as one such opportunity. She raised further eyebrows when in July 2006, she told Alliance supporters to 'carry the flag' all the way to Martin Hall. Upon the announcement of her candidacy, she said that she was the only candidate who would be truly capable of "leading without bias" and working with both the Conserative government and the Liberal Democrat opposition. Daniels is not expected to have any serious challenger for the nomination. Given that Daniels has consistently achieved very high approval ratings in Santa Christina and her national profile, some consider Daniels to be a strong third-party challenger who could capture the Presidency if one of the major party candidates polls low enough.

===Official Silly Party===
*[[Tim Gainsler]]. On the July 12 edition of ''[[Cryer Tonite]]'', Gainsler declared his intention to run for the Presidency under the banner of [[The Official Silly Party of Georgeland]], which he co-leads. He had not yet decided under what name he would run, but said he was considering running under the name '''Tintin Gainsler'''.

===Independent===
*[[Ryan Stone]]]. The former [[Governor of Bradmarch]] (1997-2000) announced November 22 he would run for President as an Independent candidate. Stone has never been a member of a political party. He announced he would spend the six months before the election "getting to know" the people of Georgeland and making a strong case for continuing the tradition of independent Presidents. Most pundits are skeptical of Stone's chances in such a crowded field, but his chances of gaining a respectable vote share are generally considered good.

== Potential Candidates ==

The 2008 election will be the first at which political parties will be allowed to field candidates for the Presidency. As such, speculation is rife about who each party will choose. Prime Minister [[Campbell Rhodes]] and his predecessor, [[Michael Elderton]], have both suggested a U.S.-style primary election for the choice of candidates.
=== [[Liberal Democratic Party of the United Islands]] ===

'''Potential'''

=== [[Georgeland Alliance]] ===

=== Others/Independents ===
*[[Martin Harrod]]. The left-wing actor who ran for [[Governor of West Mainland]] in 2004 has ties to the [[Green Party of Georgeland]]. In an interview on February 17, 2005, Harrod said "The Presidency would give me a chance to get my views heard." On September 29, 2007, Harrod announced he was "considering" a run for the Presidency but that he would have to discuss it with his family. He also said he would likely run as the Green candidate, provided the party were prepared to accept him.

== Declined to run ==
*[[Charlotte Lang]], incumbent President. 
On May 2, 2007, one year before the election will be held, President Lang declared in a public statement that she would not be a candidate and would instead retire from the Presidency upon the completion of her term.
*[[John Bedford]] 
The former commander of [[Georgeland]] forces in [[Norman]], now a [[United Islands Senate|Senator]] for the [[Georgeland Alliance]], had been touted as a candidate due to his military experience and leadership. On September 17, 2006, Bedford declared he had "absolutely no interest" in running for the Presidency, and encouraged party leader [[Michael Elderton]] to run, saying his ideal job would be "Prime Minister of an Alliance government with President Elderton in [[Martin Hall]]."
*[[Maryanne Hislop]] 
The former [[Chief Minister of Delmago Island]] had been reported to be considering a run as an independent. On September 4, 2006, Hislop declared she would not return to politics.
*[[Patrick Gunning]] 
The popular former [[Governor of Scoita]] declared after his term ended in September 2007 that he would not be a candidate and that he would instead "enjoy his retirement."
*[[Emma Hewitt]] 
The [[Governor of Capitalia]] had been mentioned as a potential Independent candidate, but in October 2007 declared she was not interested in the position.
*[[Michael Elderton]] was a strong advocate for an elected Presidency. Some considered him a potential candidate for the [[Georgeland Alliance]], though he has denied any interest. On October 19, 2007, Elderton declared he would not be a candidate and publicly endorsed [[Lois Daniels]] for the party's candidacy.

== Implications ==

The election of a President in Georgeland will alter to some degree at least the nature of Georgeland politics. Critics of a directly-elected Presidency claim the President will claim a mandate and thus try to influence government, creating conflict with Prime Minister and Cabinet. Supporters of an elected Presidency argue that the President would be aware of the conventions of Westminster government, and point out that an elected, but ceremonial, Presidency exists and works in many countries, notably Ireland. They also argue that rarely, if ever, do elected State Governors intervene in the day-to-day business of government.

[[Category:Georgeland]]

Robin Sales

2007-11-21T07:00:08Z

203.129.47.48:

'''The Hon. Robin John Sales, MP''' (b. March 3, 1952) is the present [[Leader of the Georgeland Opposition]], having been elected as leader of the [[Liberal Democratic Party of the United Islands]] unopposed in July 2007. A serving member of the [[Georgeland Senate|Senate]] at the time, Sales resigned from that position and contested a by-election in the [[Georgeland House of Commons|House of Commons]] seat of [[Peterson (electoral division)|Peterson]] on August 10, and was elected to the Lower House. Since he is now a Member of Parliament, he is entitled to hold the official title as '''Leader of the Opposition'''. 
Sales is also a former [[Chief Minister of East Mainland]], the first person to hold that title. Prior to the subdivision of the state of [[Mainland]] in 2000, Sales was the Deputy [[Chief Minister of Mainland]] and Treasurer in the government of [[Tom Southwell]]. In March 2006, Sales was defeated in an election by a coalition of the [[Conservative Party of Georgeland|Conservatives]] and the [[Georgeland Alliance]], and announced he would not remain in state politics. On March 29, Sales announced he would contest an internal party ballot to replace [[Simon Kimber]] in the [[Georgeland Senate]]. On April 4 he was chosen unopposed to fill the Senate vacancy, and on April 6 became a member of the [[Georgeland Senate|Senate]]
 
[[Image:Sales.gif|right|frame|Hon. Robin Sales]]
Sales was born in [[Wikipedia:Cardiff, Wales|Cardiff]], [[Wikipedia:Wales|Wales]], in 1952, the son of an [[Wikipedia:Ireland|Irish]] father and an [[Wikipedia:United States|American]] mother. Both parents were in Wales on a study visa. In 1955, when Sales was less than a year old, his mother, who suffered from depression, attempted to drown him but was prevented from doing so by Sales' father, who in the attempt killed his mother. Sales' father was tried for her death and acquitted, though he was found guilty of [[Wikipedia:manslaugher|manslaughter]]. He recieved seven years for the crime, and was released in 1964. He died in 1973. 
Sales was put up with foster parents in [[Wikipedia:London, England|London]], and took their last name. He has never spoken to his father. Sales was raised as a son of the Sales family, and was sent to school in London with his foster siblings. 
In 1961, when Sales was nine, the family emigrated to [[Georgeland]] as part of a scheme to bring more British migrants to the country. Sales spent his adolescence in [[Doubledance]], showing an interest in government and political science. In 1969 he was accepted to the [[University of Mainland]] and studied political science. He also earned a law degree later in his life. Graduating in 1972, Sales began working for the [[United Islands Labour Party]], becoming an adviser to the then-state opposition leader, [[John McCully]]. In 1978, when McCully became Chief Minister, the first Labour Chief Minister for nearly two decades, the 26-year old Sales was made a senior policy adviser. 
In 1982 McCully lost office, and Sales decided to embark on his own political career. He contested, and won, McCully's old state seat and entered the [[Mainland]] state legislature. In 1990, with Labour in power once more, Sales became Minister for State Development, being promoted to Minister for Education in 1993. When Labour again lost office in 1994, Sales was a candidate for the party leadership but lost the position to [[Duncan Fitzpatrick]]. Fitzpatrick won the 1998 election and swept into power, with Sales his deputy and the state Treasurer. 
In March 1999, Fitzpatrick resigned after being diagnosed with [[Wikipedia:Multiple Sclerosis|Multiple Sclerosis]] and Sales was the front-runner to replace him. However, the party's left rallied their numbers and elected [[Tom Southwell]] as the new Chief Minister, Sales remaining where he was. 
In 1999, the Labour Party split when followers of [[Campbell Rhodes]] formed a new party, the [[United Islands Liberal Party]]. Sales, along with Southwell and most of the Mainland government, joined Rhodes' new party and, in coalition with the [[Democratic Party of the United Islands]], were able to continue governing. 
Sales was a strong supporter of the state's subvision and campaigned heavily in its favour for the [[Mainland subvision referendum]] in 2000. The 'yes' camp having won, Southwell resigned from the legislature in order to contest the election for the new state of [[East Mainland]]. He was unanimously elected as the Liberal Party's East Mainland leader in April 2000, and when the coalition won the election, became Chief Minister in July. 
Sales is currently the country's longest-serving state leader. During his six years in power, Sales has identified himself strongly with the right-wing of his party. In 2002-2003, Sales enacted legislation to privatise the state's power generation facilities, but the legislation was challenged in the state Supreme Court. The court upheld the legislation, but the federal government, itself run by the same party as Sales, appealed to the [[Supreme Court of Georgeland]] in late 2003. The Supreme Court, in 2004, ruled that the legislation was consistent with state powers. Sales agreed to withhold any legislation until after the next election. 
At the [[East Mainland legislative election, 2006|election of March 2006]], Sales was defeated by a coalition of the [[Conservative Party of Georgeland|Conservatives]] and the [[Georgeland Alliance]]. On March 23, Sales announced his immediate retirement from state politics, handing over the party leadership temporarily to his deputy, [[David Brennan]]. 
Following the resignation of Senator [[Simon Kimber]] in the 2006 [[Civic Bank Investment Scandal]], reports began circulating almost immediately that Sales would seek the nomination of his party to fill the Senate spot. If he did so, he would be virtually assured of a place in federal politics until 2012. On March 29, 2006, Sales declared he would run for the position left vacant by Senator Kimber. He did not expected to have a serious challenger for the position and entered the Senate in April. 
In July 2007, Sales nominated for leadership of the Liberal Democrats. On July 10th he was elected unopposed as leader, despite being a Senator. A month later he was elected to the House of Commons. In the interim, [[Lawrence Porter]], elected Deputy Leader, held the title of Leader of the Opposition. Sales is now the official Leader while Porter is Deputy Leader.
==See Also==
[[Georgeland Shadow Ministry]]
[[Category:Georgeland]]
[[Category:Georgeland politicians]]