Steven Lyall
Position | Minister of Defence |
Term | 12 February 2006–29 June 2006 |
Party Affiliation | Green Party |
Preceded By | John Goodwin |
Succeeded By | Steve McLaren |
Born | 4 February 1962: Haphonia, Ibagli |
Air Chief Marshal the Honourable Sir Steven Lyall, KCRI, ID is a prominent Ibaglian politician and military official. He was the Minister of Defence of Ibagli from February to June 2006.
Early Life and Military Service
Born in Haphonia, Ibagli on February 4, 1962, was educated in Canada where he earned a degree in political science before enrolling as an officer in the Royal Ibaglian Air Force where he was trained as a pilot. In 2004, he retired from his position in the Air Force and founded the Ibaglian Peoples' Party. An uncommon practice, Lyall decided to remain an inactive member of Ibagli's armed forces throughout his political career. At the end of his political career, he returned to active service and in 2008 was appointed Chief of the Air Force.
Ibaglian Peoples' Party
In what he viewed as an attempt to offer Ibaglian voters a left-wing "people-centric" alternative to the Liberal and Conservative parties, Lyall and several independent politicians began the Ibaglian Peoples' Party, which quickly became known by many as Ibagli's most outspoken fringe party. With its idealistic image and progressive policies, the IPP aimed to further democratic reform, allow social leniancy and protect the rights of citizens. The IPP thrived as a fledgling political force under Lyall's leadership until it merged into the Green Party on 2 October 2004.
Green Politics
Having always held strong environmentalist beliefs, Lyall and the IPP merged seamlessly with the Green Party, greatly increasing the party's strength. Along with leader Max Lundgreen, Lyall helped begin an initiative to buld public support and create a new image for the party and in June 2005, was elected to the House of Commons in his home constituency of Haphonia West. Tragedy struck soon after the election, when Lundgreen, a close friend of Lyall and a well known Ibaglian activist, died, leaving Lyall to assume leadership of the party. Over the next few months, the greens had grown by leaps and bounds, with a solid base of support and representation in the house and strong involvement in environmental and humanitarian aid projects.
2006 General Election
The January 2006 General Election proved a success for the Green Party, which won six seats under the newly-introduced system of proportional representation. The election resulted in a Conservative plurality. In order to form a government, the Conservatives under Marcus Smallegan formed a coalition, called the Conservative Alliance of Ibagli, with Independent MPs who had recently left the Conservative Party (informally led by Clinton Roser). Shortly after Smallegan's ministry was sworn in at Government House, Lyall and newly-appointed Liberal leader Roger Pollack announced the formation of a coalition that hoped to defeat Smallegan's government at the first possible opportunity. The Green-Liberal coalition successfully defeated the government during the debate on the Speech from the Throne in February. Pollack was sworn in as Prime Minister, and Lyall became Minister of Defence.
Honours
|
- Royal Ibaglian Order (Military Division) - Knight Companion (31 December 2008) (Companion on 16 June 2007)
- Royal Ibaglian Order (Civil Division) - Member (2005)
- Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002)
- Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)
- Semicentennial Medal (2005)
- Ibaglian Forces Decoration (2006)
Shorthand Titles
- Steven Lyall (4 February 1962–15 March 1980)
- Officer Cadet Steven Lyall (15 March 1980–30 September 1983)
- Pilot Officer Steven Lyall (30 September 1983–6 April 1987)
- Flying Officer Steven Lyall (6 April 1987–January 21 1991)
- Steven Lyall (21 January 1991–25 August 1994)
- Flying Officer Steven Lyall (21 January 1994–2 May 1995)
- Flight Lieutenant Steven Lyall (2 May 1995–15 June 1997)
- Squadron Leader Steven Lyall (15 June 1997–30 November 1999)
- Wing Commander Steven Lyall (30 November 1999–8 July 2002)
- Group Captain Steven Lyall (8 July 2002–12 August 2004
- Group Captain Steven Lyall (12 August 2004–13 October 2004)
- Group Captain Steven Lyall (13 October 2004–30 December 2004)
- Air Commodore Steven Lyall, MRI, MP (30 December 2004–1 January 2006)
- Air Commodore Steven Lyall, MRI, ID, MP (1 January 2006–12 February 2006)
- Air Commodore The Honourable Steven Lyall, MRI, ID, MP (12 February 2006–29 June 2006)
- Air Commodore the Honourable Steven Lyall, MRI, ID (29 June 2006–14 June 2007)
- Air Vice-Marshal the Honourable Steven Lyall, MRI, ID (14 June 2007–16 June 2007)
- Air Vice-Marshal the Honourable Steven Lyall, CRI, ID (16 June 2007–15 December 2008)
- Air Chief Marshal the Honourable Steven Lyall, CRI, ID (15 December 2008–31 December 2008)
- Air Chief Marshal the Honourable Sir Steven Lyall, KCRI, ID (31 December 2008–)
Preceded by: Max Lundgreen |
Leader of the Green Party 2005-2006 |
Succeeded by: Ashlee Bushway |
Preceded by: None |
Leader of the Ibaglian Peoples' Party 2004–2005 |
Succeeded by: None |
13th Ministry - Government of Roger Pollack | ||
Predecessor | Office | Successor |
John Goodwin | Minister of Defence 2006 |
Steve McLaren |