Sanctus – Prime Minister Joshua Turner has announced today he won’t be seeking re-election to the House of Deputies in this year’s general election. Turner, who has served as the head of government since 2007, first won election to the House in 1993. It was also confirmed today that Turner would not be seeking re-election as leader of the Sanctarian Conservative Party in the party’s National Conference at the end of this month. In announcing his retirement, Turner continues the so-called “tradition” of an outgoing Prime Minister not being re-elected to the office; to date, no Prime Minister has been re-elected after a general election.
It is believed that Turner made his decision over the Christmas break and announced it to his cabinet in last Thursday’s cabinet meeting. His decision not to seek re-election now means that the SCP will have to elect a new leader going into the general election; current Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary for Foreign Affairs Andrew Silk, current Secretary for Finance Gina Salmons, and current Secretary for Enterprise and Commerce Mark Kindle are believed to be the frontrunners for the position.
The decision also means that no new legislation is likely to be introduced in the weeks leading up to the election, and that any controversial matters will be postponed until after the election. A new leader may also boost the SCP’s chances in the ballot, something which many pundits say will help counter the party’s falling support in recent months. It is not believed that this is the reason for Turner’s decision, many senior aides citing the ongoing poor health of his wife for his stepping down. Turner joins his former Secretary for Foreign Affairs and current deputy leader of the SCP Robert Smyth in being the most prominent MPs to announce their retirement from politics this year.
Various members of his cabinet, including the frontrunners for his job, have lauded Turner’s tenure as Prime Minister, and DLP Leader Charlene Hendry has commended Turner for his dedication to the job and wished him well in any future endeavours. Turner, who is only 50, leaves politics relatively early and is already being touted as a candidate in the next presidential election – nine years away.
SARAH PLEDYS, Political Editor
