More actions
Martin Torren Banks was a Wiltshirian politician who served as Prime Minister from May 3013 until January 3015. Banks was leader of the Conservative government during this period and is infamous for Wiltshire's failure to support allies in the Moroccan War. Banks was successful for the Conservative Party (Wiltshire) electorally, however, as he was able to turn Edward Jellico's minority into a majority in the November 3013 Election and continued to build on that in the October 3014 Election.
Banks became Prime Minister following his victory in the May 3013 Election. The May 3013 Election was called by incumbent Socialist Prime Minister Renly Stork. Stork had formed a minority administration three months prior when Conservative Prime Minister Edward Jellico resigned. His resignation, and the immediate succession of Martin Banks (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) as Party Leader, caused three AMs to resign from the party. This loss of seats, on top of Jellico's poor performance in the January 3013 Election, led to Stork forming a new government. However, Stork had an even smaller number of seats than Jellico had and so was unable to achieve anything. Banks (as Leader of the Opposition), in the meantime, was going across the country arguing "People voted Conservative and were given a Socialist. #GeneralElectionnow".
This campaign was successful and forced Stork to call the election, in which the Conservatives scored slightly better than in January. However, Stork was unable to form a government as they suffered even bigger losses to the Liberal Alliance Party - which had been growing in popularity over the past several months.
Banks' government was, for the most part, ineffective. Very little changed between 3013 and 3015. The economy grew slightly but many attribute that to an improving global economy. The biggest things Banks was a proponent of was increasing rights for Children and Young People. Banks signed the Children's Rights Act and formed the position of Minister for Children and Young People. Furthermore, Banks was crucial in the passage of the Elections Act of 3015, which limited the Assembly's tenure to 4 months (reduced to 3 in 3018 and increased to 6 in 3019).
Banks was popular among Conservatives and was inoffensive to the country. However, Banks was old. In 3015, Banks turned 70 and was the oldest Prime Minister on record. He was unable to properly execute the office as foreign trips were made more difficult and standing up for long periods of time were a challenge for the aging Prime Minister. In January, Banks resigned as Conservative Party Leader, leading to the election of Environment Minister David Loynd as the new Prime Minister in January 3015.