Jeremy Cannon

The Right Honourable Sir Jeremy Cannon, GCRI, CMG, MP

Minister of Foreign Affairs
Term:	2 November 1989–30 August 1994 20 August 2004–15 January 2006 11 February 2006–18 November 2006 29 August 2011–
Predecessor:	John Goodwin Paul Kelso Erik Barnes Marcus Smallegan
Successor:	Jacob Miller Erik Barnes Marcus Smallegan Incumbent
15th Government House Leader
Term:	29 August 2011–
Predecessor:	Marcus Smallegan
Successor:	Incumbent
Party:	Liberal (1982–)
Born:	10 March 1959: Haphonia, Ibagli

The Right Honourable Sir Jeremy Cannon, GCRI, CMG, MP (born 10 March 1959) is an Ibaglian politician, who currently serves as Minister of Foreign Affairs. He served in the same office in the past governments of Bradley Hunter, Vincent McNeese, Anthony Kinder, and Roger Pollack.

Early Life

Cannon was born on 10 March 1959 to Jeffrey Cannon and Rebecca Gore in Loygre. He attended a local state school and Thistledowne University. Cannon always reflected favorably on his upbringing and childhood: "I was brought up in a warm and caring house devoid of any real rules." He later credited his family's hands-off approach toward his adolescence as "what allowed me become the person I am today."

Entry into politics

In 1981, Cannon stood for the House of Commons as a member of the Liberal Party in the district of Haphonia-St. Edwards, narrowly losing to Conservative Harold Stuart. Stuart died later that year, and Cannon ran in the ensuing by-election in early 1982, winning with a narrow margin over the Conservative candidate. He worked feverishly and became known as easily one of the most liberal members of the House. He constantly had verbal altercations with well-known and respected Conservative leaders and became very well known within the party, keeping his seat in the 1985 General Election. In 1987, he was selected by opposition leader Bradley Hunter to be the party's critic for foreign affairs. After the Liberal Party entered government following the 1989 General Election, he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Hunter Government

While Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cannon was criticized for overseeing several state visits by Governor-General Sir Henry LeVeque to Western Europe, South America, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe. The trips were seen as an unnecessary extravagance, especially due to the gift of the enameled gilt insignia of a Knight or Dame Grand Companion of the Royal Ibaglian Order to each head of state visited.

Ibaglian foreign missions were opened at a record rate during the Hunter government. Embassies were opened in Brazil, France, Kuwait, Nigeria, and Sweden. A High Commission was opened in post-apartheid South Africa.

Foreign service

After the defeat of the Hunter government in 1994, Cannon was appointed Ambassador to France, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland (resident in France) by Prime Minister John Goodwin. In 2002 he was appointed High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Ambassador to Ireland (resident in the United Kingdom).

Return To The Liberal Party

In 2004, Cannon stood for election in the district of Chesterford as a member of the Liberal Party. He was again appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs in the new McNeese government. After the death of McNeese in 2005, he declined to run for the leadership of the party.

He used his popularity within the party and his growing popularity with the younger Liberals to rise to a very respected member of the party. After the election in 2006 he once again became the Minister of Foreign Affairs, this time in the government of Roger Pollack.

Honours

Coat of arms of Sir Jeremy Cannon

• Royal Ibaglian Order - Knight Grand Companion (1999) (Knight Companion in 1994)
• The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George - Companion (2004)
• Lord of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council (2006)
• Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002)
• Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)
• Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (2022)
• Semicentennial Medal (2005)
• Order of Sikatuna (Philippines) - Grand Cross (1990)
• Order of Brilliant Star (Republic of China) - Special Grand Cordon (2011) (Grand Cordon in 1993)

Shorthand Titles

• Jeremy Cannon (1959–1982)
• Jeremy Cannon, MP (1982–1989)
• The Honourable Jeremy Cannon, MP (1989–1994)
• The Honourable Sir Jeremy Cannon, KCRI, MP (1994)
• His Excellency the Honourable Sir Jeremy Cannon, KCRI (1994–1999)
• His Excellency the Honourable Sir Jeremy Cannon, GCRI (1999–2003)
• The Honourable Sir Jeremy Cannon, GCRI (2003–2004)
• The Honourable Sir Jeremy Cannon, GCRI, CMG (2004)
• The Honourable Sir Jeremy Cannon, GCRI, CMG, MP (2004–2006)
• The Right Honourable Sir Jeremy Cannon, GCRI, CMG, MP (2006–)

8th Ministry - Government of Bradley Hunter
Predecessor	Office	Successor
John Goodwin	Minister of Foreign Affairs 1989–1994	Jacob Miller
10th Ministry - Government of Vincent McNeese
Predecessor	Office	Successor
Paul Kelso	Minister of Foreign Affairs 2004–2005	Continued into 11th Ministry
11th Ministry - Government of Anthony Kinder
Predecessor	Office	Successor
Continued from 10th Ministry	Minister of Foreign Affairs 2005–2006	Erik Barnes
13th Ministry - Government of Roger Pollack
Predecessor	Office	Successor
Erik Barnes	Minister of Foreign Affairs 2006	Marcus Smallegan
16th Ministry - Government of Roger Pollack
Predecessor	Office	Successor
Marcus Smallegan	Minister of Foreign Affairs 2011–	Incumbent
House of Commons
Predecessor	District	Successor
Harold Stuart	Queensgate 1982–1994	Kendrick Matusiak
Diane Warman	Chesterford 2004–present	Incumbent