Owen Canderwell

The Hon. Owen John Canderwell (b. 1950) is a Georgeland politician. He has been Chief Minister of Bradmarch since 2004, after his Liberal Democratic Party took control of the state legislature following a no-confidence motion against Conservative Chief Minister Kyle Jonas. Born in Sergiocitta to Welsh parents, Canderwell grew up in relative privilege and became involved with Conservative politics while attending the University of Bradmarch. In 1977 he became disillusioned with the right-wing's domination of the Tory party and quit, joining the Democratic Party in 1980. In 1987 he joined the staff of the future Deputy Prime Minister, Leonard Hand, and in 1997, after Hand's retirement, he was elected to the Bradmarch legislature for the Democrats. He became Shadow Minister for Roads and Railways in 1999. In 2001, following John Lemon's resignation, he stood for and won the leadership of the Bradmarch Democrats. He became Shadow Treasurer and deputy leader of the opposition to Simon Price in 2000. At the February 2000 state election, the Liberal/Democrat coalition suffered a dilemma when both parties won an equal number of seats in the legislature. An agreement was struck, whereby Price, as leader of the Liberals, would be Leader of the Opposition but should the office fall vacant it would go to Canderwell. In December 2001 it did just that, after Price resigned from office, and Canderwell became Leader of the Opposition. He became the first Democrat to reach such an office anywhere in the country. Canderwell was a leading proponent of a Liberal/Democrat merger, and when both parties formed the Liberal Democratic Party of the United Islands in 2004, Canderwell retained his leadership position despite some threat from Liberal leader Shannon DeVere. Jonas's margin at the 2000 election had been narrow and left the state with a minority government. Jonas had survived by a loose alliance with independents and minor parties, but by April 2004 his position had become more and more untenable. He refused to resign, and Canderwell called for a motion of no-confidence. The motion succeeded, and Canderwell formed a new government, as an election was less than five months away and early dissolution not possible. The election was called for August, and Canderwell's coalition won. Canderwell, as a state Chief Minister, is the second Democrat or ex-Democrat to lead a government in Georgeland, the first being Patrick Luhowsky of Long Island. Canderwell's future is the subject of some speculation, with DeVere's leadership ambitions well known. Many look to Canderwell as a potential federal politician, leading to speculation he will leave before the scheduled 2008 election.