- 0 Talk
-
Edward Reynolds
| ||||
| Minister of Defence
Minister of Posts and Telegraphs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In Office: 1977-present | ||||
| Preceded by | Andreas Lamarco (PC) | |||
| Succeeded by | Incumbent | |||
| Born | 14th of May, 1931 St. Martin, Nicolea | |||
| Political Party | Progressive Conservatives | |||
| Constituency | St. Martin East | |||
| Spouse | Juliette Reynolds (nee Bernes) | |||
| Religion | Roman Catholic | |||
Edward Reynolds (b. 1931) is an Abalan politician and member of the Progressive Conservative Party. He has represented the constituency of St. Martin East in the House of Commons since 1965, and presently serves as the Minister for Defence and Minister for Posts and Telegraphs in the Traynor Ministry.
Contents |
Early Life 
Edit
Edward Reynolds is the third son of Lyal Reynolds and Juliette (née Bernes). His eldest brother James was born in 1924, followed by Robert in 1928.
Reynolds grew up in St. Martin, in a Roman Catholic family. His mother had been an office worker until her marriage. His father was a veteran of World War I, and after the war studied and practiced medicine. When he was 16, his eldest brother James who had enlisted in the army with the outbreak of World War II was killed while taking part in the invasion of Normandy.
He attended the local publicly funded state school, St. Martin Public School, and in his final year received a citizenship prize, presented by the former MP for St. Martin East, Andreas Lamarco. He went on to represent his school in debating, and later, along with several of his classmates, founded the Young Progressive Conservatives youth organisation. After gaining his Leaving Certificate, he attended St. Stanislas University where he studied Law, graduating with Honours. Subsequently, he practiced as a solicitor for 6 years.
Early Political Career Edit
Reynolds joined the Progressive Conservative Party in 1949. He remained active in the Young Progressive Conservatives until 1957, serving as its Vice-President from 1949-1951, and its President from 1956-1957.
During the 1960 elections, Reynolds served as the campaign manager for Adam Jefferys in the race for the Deobridge seat. Despite being a traditional Social Democratic Party stronghold, Jefferys' campaign was successful and the SDP candidate was defeated. In 1961 he was endorsed as a candidate for the parliament of the Province of Nicolea. He was successfully elected, and served in the Provincial Government for 4 years, during which time he established a reputation of being an efficient and pragmatic parliamentarian.
In the 1965 election, Reynolds successfully contested the seat for St. Martin East, and became a Member of Parliament in the House of Commons. He served for 3 years as a Minister Without Portfolio.
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (1968-1973) Edit
Between 1968 and 1973 Reynolds served as the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. In this capacity, he led free-market economic reforms involving privatization and deregulation. Notably, he substantially reduced the strength of the trade unions by eliminating a range of "oppressive socialist regulations" previously introduced by the SDP which provided incentives for membership in trade unions. He repeatedly came under heavy criticism by the opposition Social Democratic Party for his policies.
In Opposition (1973-1977) Edit
In 1973 the Progressive Conservatives lost the elections to the Social Democratic Party. During this period Reynolds served as the Shadow Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. He became known for his fierce criticism of the government's economic policy, suggesting on more than one occasion that it was based on "nothing but socialist voodoo" rather than sound economic theory.
Minister for Defence and Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (1977-) Edit
Reynolds has served as Minister for Defense and the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs from 1977 to the present.
