Henry LeVeque

The Rt. Hon. Sir Henry LeVeque, VC, KG, OIM, GCMG, GCVO, GCRI, MC, ID, QC

5th Governor-General of Ibagli
Term:	17 October 1987–20 November 1992
Predecessor:	Joshua Arnham
Successor:	William Barriter
Prime Minister of Ibagli
Terms:	10 August 1972–15 October 1976 12 May 1977–30 June 1981
Predecessors:	Joseph Kenilworth Mark Rockington
Successors:	Mark Rockington Charles Forrester
Member of the House of Commons
Term:	2 June 1955–30 July 1981
District:	Chesterford
Party:	Liberal
Born:	18 July 1913: Slough, Bucks (now Berks), England
Died:	30 March 2006: Royal Arbor
Spouse:	Dame Harriet LeVeque

The Right Honourable Sir Henry LeVeque, VC, KG, OIM, GCMG, GCVO, GCRI, MC, ID, QC (1913 – 2006) was the Governor-General of Ibagli from 1987 to 1992 and the Prime Minister of Ibagli from 1972 to 1976 and from 1977 to 1981. He was the last living recipient of the Victoria Cross in Ibagli, and the first and only Ibaglian recipient of the Order of the Garter.

Early Life

Henry LeVeque was born on 18 July 1913 in Slough to William and Mary LeVeque. He was educated at Eton and Cambridge, where he studied law, and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He joined the Grenadier Guards in 1935. In 1936 he married Harriet Milner. Also in 1936, he was present at the state funeral of King George V and the only birthday parade of King Edward VIII, who would abdicate later that year to marry Wallis Simpson. He was also in the coronation procession of King George VI in 1937. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel during the second World War, where he saw action in France, Belgium, and Germany. He was awarded the Military Cross in 1940, and the Victoria Cross in 1944. He left the army in 1945.

In 1946, he moved to Ibagli and set up a law firm in Exeter. In 1951, he was made a King's Counsel. He was elected to the House of Commons in the 1955 election as a member of the Liberal Party. In 1968, he was elected leader of his party. In 1972, the Liberals won the general election, and LeVeque was appointed Prime Minister.

First Term

One of the first actions of LeVeque as Prime Minister was to repeal much of the social legislation put forth by the Kenilworth administrations. The relocation program was one of the first programs repealed. Provisions were made for settling aboriginal land claims. In 1973 capital punishment was banned. In 1974, diplomatic relations with South Africa were ended in response to the South African government's policies of apartheid. He appointed Gregory Parks, the Speaker of the House of Commons, to be Governor-General in 1974.

In 1975, LeVeque suffered a mild stroke. He considered resigning, but was convinced by his cabinet to stay on as Prime Minister against the advice of his doctors.

Cabinet

Name	Position
(Henry LeVeque)	Minister of Finance
Raymond McNeese	Attorney-General
Steven Spell	Minister of Home Affairs
	Government House Leader
Ian Farquhar	Minister of Foreign Affairs
Terrence Barker	Minister of Education
	Minister of Labour
Bradley Hunter	Minister of Defence
Mildred Junor	Minister of Health
	Minister of Resources

1976 Election

In the 1976 general election, the Conservative Party won 29 of 30 seats, the Liberals 28, and the Social Credit Party won 3. The Conservative and Social Credit parties entered into a coalition that lasted until 1977. Rockington was criticised for his handling of the coalition, having failed to give the Social Credit Party a significant voice in cabinet, and refusing to allow bills related to Social Credit policy matters to come up for a vote. In 1977, the Social Credit Party pulled its support from the coalition, and Prime Minister Rockington advised the Governor-General to call an election.

1977 Election

In the 1977 General Election, the Liberals won 42 seats, the Conservatives 17, and the Social Credit Party won 1. LeVeque was reappointed Prime Minister shortly thereafter.

Second Term

In 1977, a House of Commons vote on the abolition of the Senate gained the required two-thirds support necessary for passage. The Senate refused to consider the resolution, and it was dropped by the government.

In 1978, faced with mounting debts, he cancelled the Haphonia Motorways Project, which was an ambitious Kenilworth-era plan to build several motorways across the city of Haphonia, and was criticised by many in Haphonia who said it woulc cut the city into pieces.

In 1978, the Minister of Health introduced a bill that would create the Ibaglian Health Service, a government funded agency that would provide free healthcare to all Ibaglians. Though initially controversial, the program proved to be a success.

In 1980, he appointed Annette Farquhar, then the Chief Magistrate in Haphonia to the Crown Court. This was controversial as she was the husband of a cabinet minister, Ian Farquhar. In 1972, she was appointed to the position of Chief Magistrate in Haphonia by her stepfather, Joseph Kenilworth. Farquhar would later be appointed Governor-General. He appointed Joshua Arnham to be Governor-General later in 1980.

In 1981, LeVeque announced a government policy that would have granted a free university-level education to every person in Ibagli. The policy was controversial, and the 1981 General Election was seen as a referendum on the issue. The policy was eventually enacted by the McNeese government in 2005.

Cabinet

Name	Position
(Henry LeVeque)	Minister of Finance
Steven Spell	Minister of Health
	Government House Leader
Mark Bensen	Minister of Home Affairs
Ian Farquhar	Minister of Foreign Affairs
Terrence Barker	Minister of Education
Bradley Hunter	Minister of Defence
Joseph Wilkins	Minister of Labour
	Attorney-General
Mildred Junor	Minister of Resources

1981 Election

In the 1981 General Election, the Liberal Party won 17 seats, the Conservative Party won 38, the Social Credit Party won 4, and one seat was won by an independent candidate. After resigning the office of Prime Minister, LeVeque announced his retirement from the leadership of the Liberal Party and from Parliament. He was offered a seat in the Senate by newly-appointed Prime Minister Charles Forrester but he refused the appointment, citing his belief that the Senate should be abolished.

Governor-General

After retiring from politics in 1981, LeVeque moved to Royal Arbour. In 1987, Prime Minister Charles Forrester asked him to accept the position of Governor-General. LeVeque, an ardent monarchist, felt himself unworthy to represent the Sovereign. He also felt that someone who had been Prime Minister, a job which by its nature causes political division, should enter into a role requiring complete neutrality. After a week of deliberation, he decided to accept the position. He was remarkably popular as Governor-General.

In 1988, Queen Elizabeth II appointed him to be a Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter, the highest-ranking order of chivalry in the Commonwealth. He was the first, and as of 2009, only, Ibaglian citizen to be made a Knight of the Garter.

In 1989, LeVeque became the first Governor-General to have to use his reserve powers to appoint a Prime Minister after Charles Forrester's death. He appointed Thomas Harlington Prime Minister until the Conservative Party was able to elect a leader. A Haphonia newspaper editorial criticised LeVeque for 'appointing whoever he thought would most likely lose the election so his old lackeys could be in power again.' They retracted their statement after it was revealed that Forrester had asked LeVeque to appoint Harlington Prime Minister should he die in office.

In 1990, Government House was bombed by members of the ILF. Though LeVeque was not injured, a staff member was killed by the explosion. LeVeque was reported to have continued to pay the family of the staff member his salary until his death. He also established a trust fund for the children of the staff member.

LeVeque retired from the office of Governor-General in 1992, citing his growing age and health concerns.

State visits

LeVeque, on behalf of the Forrester and Hunter governments, took out more state visits than any other Governor-General of Ibagli, visiting 19 countries. During the Hunter government, the visits were grouped into 4 tours—Western Europe in 1989, South America and Southeast Asia in 1990, and Eastern Europe in 1991. He also visited the United States of America in 1988 on behalf of the Forrester government.

Later Life

After his term in Government House, he returned to his home Royal Arbour. From 1994 to 1999 he served as Chancellor of Thistledowne University in Loygre. In 2004, a panel at the university voted LeVeque 'The Greatest Ibaglian.' After the top 5 candidates were announced, the public were invited to give their views. LeVeque personally appeared before the panel to tell them the reasons why they should not vote for him, but rather Edward Brixton, the man who brought independence to Ibagli. This expression of humility was seen as one of the reasons that the panel nearly unanimously voted for LeVeque. In March 2006, he was hospitalized for a respiratory condition. On 8 March 2006, it was announced from the LeVeque family that he was entering "into the final days of his life."

He died on 30 March 2006 at his home in Royal Arbour. He was given a state funeral in Haphonia. Approximately 96,000 people filed past his body as it lay in state on Parliament Hill. He was buried at The Citadel in Haphonia.

Personal Life

LeVeque and his wife had three children and eight grandchildren. His eldest son, Richard, is the Mayor of Exeter. All three of his children have seen military service. His daughter Patricia was among the first women to be admitted into the Royal Ibaglian Navy. She served as a Liberal MP from 1985 until she lost her seat in 1999. His other daughter Emily serves in the Royal Ibaglian Air Force. She married John Goodwin, who would later become Prime Minister, in 1974.

Religious Views

LeVeque was a devout Anglican, though he tried to separate his faith from his official decisions. Many of his policies were strongly condemned by the church in Ibagli, including the lessening of laws restricting abortion, the repeal of sodomy laws, and the easing of divorce procedures.

Honours

• Victoria Cross (1944)
• The Most Noble Order of the Garter - Knight Companion (1988)
• The Order of Ibaglian Merit (1987)
• The Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George - Knight Grand Cross (1981)
• The Royal Victorian Order - Knight Grand Cross (1987)
• The Royal Ibaglian Order - Knight Grand Companion (1986)
• The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem - Knight of Justice (1987)
• Military Cross (1940)
• 1939-45 Star (1945)
• The France & Germany Star (1945)
• The War Medal 1939-45 (1945)
• George V Silver Jubilee Medal (1935)
• George VI Coronation Medal (1937)
• Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953)
• Ibaglian Independence Medal (1955)
• Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (1977)
• Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002)
• Semicentennial Medal (2005)
• Ibaglian Forces Decoration (2006)
• Legion of Honour (France) - Grand Cross (1989) (Knight in 1946)
• Order of Leopold II (Belgium) - Grand Cross (1989)
• Order of the Netherlands Lion (The Netherlands) - Grand Cross (1989)
• Federal Cross of Merit (Federal Republic of Germany) - Special degree of the Grand Cross (1989)
• Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Italy) - Grand Cross (1989)
• Order of Bernardo O'Higgins (Chile) - Grand Cross (1990)
• Order of the Southern Cross (Brazil) - Grand Collar (1990)
• Order of the Liberator General San Martin (Argentina) - Grand Cross (1990)
• Order of the Liberator (Venezuela) - Collar (1990)
• The Most Auspicious Order of the Rajamitrabhorn (Thailand) - Knight (1990)
• Order of Temasek (Singapore) - 1st Class (1990)
• Most Exalted Order of the Crown of the Realm (Malaysia) (1990)
• Royal Family Order of the Crown of Brunei (Brunei) (1990)
• Order of Sikatuna (Philippines) - Grand Collar (1990)
• Order of Brilliant Jade (Republic of China) - Grand Cordon (1990)
• Order of Polonia Restituta (Poland) - Grand Cross (1991)
• Order of the White Lion (Czechoslovakia) - Grand Cross with Collar (1991)
• Order of Merit of the Hungarian Republic (Hungary) - Grand Cross with Collar (1991)
• War Cross (France) (1946)

Shorthand Titles

• Henry LeVeque (1913–1940)
• Henry LeVeque, MC (1940–1944)
• Henry LeVeque, VC, MC (1944–1951)
• Henry LeVeque, VC, MC, KC (1951–6 February 1952)
• Henry LeVeque, VC, MC, QC (6 February 1952–2 June 1955)
• Henry LeVeque, VC, MC, QC, MP (2 June 1955–1968)
• The Honourable Henry LeVeque, VC, MC, QC, MP (1968–1972)
• The Right Honourable Henry LeVeque, VC, MC, QC, MP (1972–1981)
• The Right Honourable Sir Henry LeVeque, VC, GCMG, MC, QC (1981–1986)
• The Right Honourable Sir Henry LeVeque, VC, GCMG, GCRI, MC, QC (1986–1987)
• His Excellency The Right Honourable Sir Henry LeVeque, VC, OIM, GCMG, GCVO, GCRI, MC, QC (1987–1988)
• His Excellency The Right Honourable Sir Henry LeVeque, VC, KG, OIM, GCMG, GCVO, GCRI, MC, QC (1988–1992)
• The Right Honourable Sir Henry LeVeque, VC, KG, OIM, GCMG, GCVO, GCRI, MC, QC (1992–2006)
• The Right Honourable Sir Henry LeVeque, VC, KG, OIM, GCMG, GCVO, GCRI, MC, ID, QC (2006)

Quotes

• 'Just remember that even though Mr. Kenilworth says that eventually we'll hang ourselves if we give ourselves too much rope, we aren't giving him enough rope to hang everyone that disagrees with him.'

In a campaign speech in 1972, referring the the execution of aboriginal protester Joseph Malatae.

Electoral Record

1955 General Election
District: Chesterford
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
****	Liberal Party	(x)Henry LeVeque	274	52.4
****	Conservative Party	Anthony Westwood	221	42.3
****	Social Credit Party	Wilbur Dalkeith	28	5.3
Total valid votes			523	100.0

1959 General Election
District: Chesterford
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
****	Liberal Party	(x)Henry LeVeque	319	50.3
****	Conservative Party	Richard Patten	291	45.8
****	Social Credit Party	Wilbur Dalkeith	25	3.9
Total valid votes			635	100.0

1963 General Election
District: Chesterford
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
****	Liberal Party	(x)Henry LeVeque	374	47.8
****	Conservative Party	Timothy Armisten	371	47.4
****	Social Credit Party	Wilbur Dalkeith	32	4.1
****	Independent	Molly Rangell	5	.7
Total valid votes			782	100.0

1967 General Election
District: Chesterford
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
****	Liberal Party	(x)Henry LeVeque	455	46.3
****	Conservative Party	Timothy Armisten	412	41.9
****	Social Credit Party	Alan Kenning	78	7.9
****	Independent	Molly Rangell	28	2.8
****	Communist Party	Trevor Wilkins	11	1.1
Total valid votes			984	100.0

1972 General Election
District: Chesterford
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
****	Liberal Party	(x)Henry LeVeque	964	67.3
****	Social Credit Party	Alan Kenning	218	15.2
****	Conservative Party	Warren Harbinger	212	14.8
****	Independent	Molly Rangell	24	1.7
****	Communist Party	Trevor Wilkins	14	1.0
Total valid votes			1432	100.0

1976 General Election
District: Chesterford
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
****	Liberal Party	(x)Henry LeVeque	651	54.3
****	Social Credit Party	Alan Kenning	278	23.2
****	Conservative Party	John Waite	270	22.5
Total valid votes			1199	100.0

1977 General Election
District: Chesterford
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
****	Liberal Party	(x)Henry LeVeque	834	54.8
****	Conservative Party	John Waite	510	33.5
****	Social Credit Party	Jack Norris	178	11.7
Total valid votes			1522	100.0

1981 General Election
District: Chesterford
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
****	Liberal Party	(x)Henry LeVeque	982	48.2
****	Conservative Party	Randall Tynt	854	41.9
****	Social Credit Party	Phillip Ackland	202	9.9
Total valid votes			2038	100.0

Governors-General of Ibagli Feldon · Lastman · Parks · Arnham · LeVeque · Barriter · Farquhar · Spell
Prime Ministers of Ibagli Brixton · Kenilworth · LeVeque · Rockington · LeVeque Forrester · Harlington · Hunter · Goodwin · McNeese · Kinder Smallegan · Pollack · Goodwin · Pietersen · Pollack · Spearman
Leaders of the Loyal Opposition Warner · Weston · Kenilworth · Johnson · Schmidt · Menzies · LeVeque Parrin · Rockington · LeVeque · Rockington · Forrester · Spell Forton · Hunter · Goodwin · Philips · McNeese · Goodwin · Smallegan Pollack · Smallegan · Clarke · Pollack · Pietersen · Barnes · Foster · McDaniels
Leaders of the Liberal Party Patterson · Baxter · Weatherby · Brixton · Johnson Schmidt · Menzies · LeVeque · Spell · Forton Hunter · Philips · McNeese · Kinder · Pollack
Preceded by: Joshua Arnham	Governor-General of Ibagli 1987–1992	Succeeded by: William Barriter
Preceded by: Joseph Kenilworth	Prime Minister of Ibagli 1972–1976 1977–1981	Succeeded by: Mark Rockington
Preceded by: Mark Rockington		Succeeded by: Charles Forrester
Preceded by: Joseph Kenilworth	Minister of Finance 1972–1976 1977–1981	Succeeded by: Mark Rockington
Preceded by: Mark Rockington		Succeeded by: Thomas Harlington
Preceded by: Winston Menzies	Leader of the Liberal Party 1968–1981	Succeeded by: Steven Spell (interim)
	Leader of the Opposition 1968–1972 1976–1977	Succeeded by: William Parrin
Preceded by: Mark Rockington		Succeeded by: Mark Rockington
Preceded by: George Denham	Chancellor of Thistledowne University 1994–1999	Succeeded by: The Lady Feldon
House of Commons
Predecessor	District	Successor
None	Chesterford 1955–1981	Joshua Otakyu