View source for Erik Barnes

{{GCRI}}
{| class="toccolours" style="width:23em; border collapse:collapse; border:1; font-size:90%; text-align:left; float:right;" cellpadding="2"
|+ style="margin-left: inherit;" | '''F.M. the Rt. Hon. Sir Erik Barnes, GCRI, DSO, MC, ID, MP'''
|align="center" colspan="2"|
|-
|colspan="2" align="center"|21st '''[[Leader of the Opposition|Leader of the Loyal Opposition]]'''
|-
| '''Term:'''
| 14 March 2012&ndash;present
|-
| '''Predecessor:'''
| [[Amelia Pietersen]]
|-
|colspan="2" align="center"|14th '''[[Minister of Finance]]'''
|-
| '''Term:'''
| 18 November 2006&ndash;29 August 2011
|-
| '''Predecessor:'''
| [[Péricles Maranhão Neto]]
|-
| '''Successor:'''
| [[Richard LeVeque]]
|-
|colspan="2" align="center"|13th '''[[Minister of Foreign Affairs]]'''
|-
| '''Term:'''
| 15 January&ndash;8 February 2006
|-
| '''Predecessor:'''
| Sir [[Jeremy Cannon]]
|-
| '''Successor:'''
| Sir [[Jeremy Cannon]]
|-
|colspan="2" align="center"|9th '''[[Chief of the Defence Staff]]'''
|-
| '''Term:'''
| 1 November 1992&ndash;18 November 1999
|-
| '''Predecessor:'''
| [[William Barriter]]
|-
| '''Successor:'''
| [[George Venderschmitt]]
|-
|colspan="2" align="center"|'''Member of the [[House of Commons]]'''
|-
| '''Term:'''
| 12 August [[2004 General Election|2004]]&ndash;
|-
| '''District:'''
| [[Kensington-Royal Arbor-New Windsor]]
|-
| '''Party:'''
| [[Conservative Party|Conservative]]
|-
| '''Born:'''
| 9 March 1947<br>[[New Windsor]]
|-
| '''Profession:'''
| [[Ibaglian Army]] soldier
|-
| '''Religion:'''
| [[wp:Roman Catholicism|Roman Catholic]]
|}

'''Field Marshal the Right Honourable Sir Erik Barnes, GCRI, DSO, MC, ID, MP''' (9 March 1947&ndash;) was the [[Minister of Finance]] of [[Ibagli]] from 2006 to 2011. He also served as [[Chief of the Defence Staff]] from 1992 to 1999. Since March 2012, he has been the acting [[Leader of the Opposition]], on behalf of party leader [[Alex Foster]] who is currently without a seat in the [[House of Commons]].

==Early Life==

He was born on 9 March 1947 in [[New Windsor]] to Geoff Barnes, a bakery owner, and Linda Meeuwsen, a teacher at St. Joseph Catholic School. Both were immigrants to Ibagli.

==Military Service==

After leaving secondary school, Barnes attended [[wp:Royal Military Academy Sandhurst|Royal Military Academy Sandhurst]]. In 1969, he graduated from Sandhurst and became a commissioned officer in the 2nd Batallion [[Royal Ibaglian Regiment]]. Upon his return, Ibaglian forces were sent to [[wp:Vietnam|Vietnam]].

Barnes was among the first Ibaglian soldiers to enter Vietnam in late 1969. After Ibagli withdrew troops in 1972, he was returned to Ibagli, having earned the [[wp:Distinguished Service Order|Distinguished Service Order]] and the [[wp:Military Cross|Military Cross]] during his time in Vietnam. In 1973, he carried the Queen's Colour of the Second Battalion Royal Ibaglian Regiment at the [[Queen's Birthday Parade]].

Barnes made his way through the ranks in the [[Ibaglian Army|Army]]. In 1989, he was appointed Chief of the General Staff, and was promoted to the rank of [[Military ranks|General]]. In 1992, he was appointed [[Chief of the Defence Staff]], and promoted to the rank of Field Marshal. He would serve in that role until 1999. He was appointed colonel of the [[Royal Ibaglian Regiment]] in 2000.

==Political Career==

In late 2004, Barnes ran for a seat in the [[House of Commons]] in the district of [[Kensington-Royal Arbor-New Windsor]] as a member of the [[Conservative Party]]. In 2005, he was a strong supporter of former Prime Minister [[John Goodwin]] in the leadership convention held as a result of backbench MP [[Marcus Smallegan]]'s decision to challenge Goodwin. After the election of Smallegan to the leadership, Barnes joined six other MPs and sat in the House as an independent MP. The group of MPs would take on the [[Ibaglian Democratic Union]] moniker.

===Election 2006===

In December 2005, [[Parliament of Ibagli|Parliament]] was dissolved as a result of the [[prorogation scandal]], and an [[2006 General Election|election]] was called for mid-January 2006. Barnes was highly visible during the campaign, and led the criticism against the '[[Cooky Tax]]' policy of the Conservative Party. The Conservatives won a plurality of seats in the House.

Shortly after the election, the Conservative Party entered into a coalition with the Independent-IDU MPs, called the [[Conservative Alliance]], with Smallegan being appointed [[Prime Minister of Ibagli|Prime Minister]]. Barnes was appointed [[Minister of Foreign Affairs]] shortly thereafter.

===Minister of Foreign Affairs===

Days after being sworn in as Minister of Foreign Affairs, he went to [[wp:Liberia|Liberia]] to lead a delegation to the inauguration of [[wp:Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf|Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf]], the first female elected head of state in [[wp:Africa|Africa]].

Several weeks after his appointment, Barnes resigned his position as Minister of Foreign Affairs for unknown reasons. It was speculated in the press that Barnes often had severe disagreements with Smallegan and the Conservative leadership. As a backbencher, he remained a prominent force in the Party and the Alliance. The Smallegan government fell on the Speech From the Throne in February 2006 and became the [[Loyal Opposition]]. The Conservative Alliance was dissolved on 4 May 2006.

==Political Beliefs==

*'''Political Ideology:''' Barnes describes himself as a fiscal conservative and a social moderate.

*'''Business:''' Barnes has always been known for his belief in the goodness of both large corporations and small businesses and has supported and introduced many bills in Parliament giving relief to both. Most have been rejected by the House.

*'''Gun Ownership:''' Barnes believes in a person's right to own a gun and has introduced legislation making gun ownership legal. However, Barnes supports the outlawing of certain types of firearms.

*'''Same-Sex Marriage:''' Although known as being against same-sex marriage, Barnes opposes any legislation that defines marriage being between a man and a woman. Barnes believes that 'no government has the right to say what is love and what is not.'

*'''Abortion:''' Barnes is against abortion but like same-sex marriage, Barnes believes that the government should not get into one's personal life. Instead, he believes the government 'should work on preventing abortion.'

*'''The Senate:''' Barnes strongly opposes the [[Senate]] and has introduced legislation that would abolish the Senate. The legislation was rejected.

*'''Military:''' Being a career military officer, Barnes supports all legislation for the advancement of the [[Ibaglian Armed Forces|military of Ibagli]].

*'''Economic Policies:''' Barnes believes that under the Liberal government, Ibagli's economy has taken a downturn and believes that the Liberal Party does not seem to care anymore. Barnes has proposed tax cuts and tax incentives for companies that keep jobs in Ibagli.

*'''Welfare:''' Barnes strongly opposes welfare because he believes "it's being abused". Barnes also strongly opposes socialized healthcare which was enacted by then-[[Minister of Health|Health Minister]] [[Steven Spell]], and is in favor of a personal or an employer based system of insurance, supplemented by Medicare for the elderly and Medicaid for the poor.

*'''Affirmative Action:''' Barnes very strongly opposes affirmative action.

==Quotes==
*'I need to get a more precise definition.'
:''Barnes asking [[Green Party]] MP [[Steven Lyall]] to define civil rights after he said same-sex marriage was a civil rights issue in 2004.''

*'In Ibagli, anyone can run and be elected to Parliament. Thats just one of the risks we have to take'
:''Barnes' acceptance speech in 2006 after being reelected to Parliament.''

*'We're the party that wants to see an Ibagli where people can still get rich.'
:''Barnes at the 2006 Conservative Conference.''

*'How is your mother these days?'
:''Barnes responding to a caller on his radio show "The Erik Barnes Program" after the caller told Barnes that 'This is not a Liberal or Conservative issue but you have sold your soul to the devil! I respect a crack addict mother of five more than you!'''

*'The Green Party is like the "Village Slut" of political parties; always in bed with other parties. It's disgusting'
:''Barnes speaking on his radio show about the coalition of the Green Party and the Liberal Party to form a government.''

==Trivia==

*Barnes was the first twin to be elected to Parliament.
*Barnes is a Roman Catholic.

==Honours==
{| style="float:right;"
|align="center"|[[File:Erik Barnes Arms.png|thumb|Coat of arms of Sir Erik Barnes|center]]
|-
|align="center"|[[Image:GCRI star.jpg|120px]]
|-
|align="center"|{{Ribbons/Barnes|45}}
|}

*[[Royal Ibaglian Order]] (military) - Knight Grand Companion (1999) (Knight Companion in 1992; Companion in 1989; Officer in 1986)
*[[Royal Ibaglian Order]] (civil) - Companion (2006) <!--20 April-->
*[[wp:Distinguished Service Order|Distinguished Service Order]] (1971)
*[[wp:Military Cross|Military Cross]] (1970)
*Lord of [[wp:Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council|Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council]] (2007)
*[[wp:Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal|Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal]] (1977)
*[[wp:Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal|Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal]] (2002)
*[[wp:Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal|Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal]] (2012)
*[[Semicentennial Medal]] (2005)
*[[Ibaglian Forces Decoration]] (2006) <!--22 January-->

===Shorthand Titles===

*Erik Barnes (1947&ndash;1968)
*Officer Cadet Erik Barnes (1968&ndash;1969)
*Second Lieutenant Erik Barnes (1969&ndash;1972)
*Second Lieutenant Erik Barnes, DSO, MC (1972&ndash;1973)
*Lieutenant Erik Barnes, DSO, MC (1973)
*Captain Erik Barnes, DSO, MC (1973&ndash;1974)
*Major Erik Barnes, DSO, MC (1974&ndash;1977)
*Lieutenant-Colonel Erik Barnes, DSO, MC (1977&ndash;1979)
*Brigadier Erik Barnes, DSO, MC (1979&ndash;1983)
*Major-General Erik Barnes, DSO, MC (1983&ndash;1985)
*Lieutenant-General Erik Barnes, DSO, MC (1985&ndash;1986)
*Lieutenant-General Erik Barnes, ORI, DSO, MC (1986&ndash;1988)
*General Erik Barnes, ORI, DSO, MC (1988&ndash;1989)
*General Erik Barnes, CRI, DSO, MC (1989&ndash;1 November 1992)
*Field Marshal Erik Barnes, CRI, DSO, MC (1 November 1992&ndash;1 January 1993)
*Field Marshal Sir Erik Barnes, KCRI, DSO, MC (1 January 1993&ndash;13 June 1999)
*Field Marshal Sir Erik Barnes, GCRI, DSO, MC (13 June 1999&ndash;12 August 2004)
*Field Marshal Sir Erik Barnes, GCRI, DSO, MC, MP (12 August 2004&ndash;15 February 2005)
*Field Marshal the Honourable Sir Erik Barnes, GCRI, DSO, MC, MP (15 February 2005&ndash;22 January 2006) 
*Field Marshal the Honourable Sir Erik Barnes, GCRI, DSO, MC, ID, MP (22 January 2006&ndash;10 March 2007)
*Field Marshal the Right Honourable Sir Erik Barnes, GCRI, DSO, MC, ID, MP (10 March 2007&ndash;)

==Electoral Record==

{|class="toccolours" border="1" cellpadding="2" style="border-collapse: collapse;"
!style="background:#EEEEEE;" colspan="5"|[[2004 General Election]]
|-
!style="background:#EEEEEE;" colspan="5"|District: [[Kensington-Royal Arbor-New Windsor]]
|-style="background:#EEEEEE;"
!colspan="2"|Party
!Candidate
!Votes
!%
|-
|style="background-color:{{Colour/seat/con}};color:{{Colour/seat/con}};"|****
|[[Conservative Party]]
|(x)[[Erik Barnes]]
|1564
|49.1
|-
|style="background-color:{{Colour/seat/lib}};color:{{Colour/seat/lib}};"|****
|[[Liberal Party]]
|[[John DeLaney]]
|1302
|43.6
|-
|style="background-color:{{Colour/seat/grn}};color:{{Colour/seat/grn}};"|****
|[[Green Party]]
|Alan Finsberg
|264
|8.3
|-
|style="background-color:{{Colour/seat/iap}};color:{{Colour/seat/iap}};"|****
|[[Ibaglian Action Party]]
|Warren Jacobs
|56
|1.8
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
|colspan="3" align="right"|Total valid votes
|3186
|100.0
|}


{|class="toccolours" border="1" cellpadding="2" style="border-collapse: collapse;"
!style="background:#EEEEEE;" colspan="5"|[[January 2006 General Election]]
|-
!style="background:#EEEEEE;" colspan="5"|District: [[Kensington-Royal Arbor-New Windsor]]
|-style="background:#EEEEEE;"
!colspan="2"|Party
!Candidate
!Votes
!%
|-
|style="background-color:{{Colour/seat/ind}};color:{{Colour/seat/ind}};"|****
|Independent-[[Ibaglian Democratic Union|IDU]]
|(x)[[Erik Barnes]]
|3620
|48.5
|-
|style="background-color:{{Colour/seat/lib}};color:{{Colour/seat/lib}};"|****
|[[Liberal Party]]
|Emily Raine
|2368
|31.7
|-
|style="background-color:{{Colour/seat/grn}};color:{{Colour/seat/grn}};"|****
|[[Green Party]]
|Alan Finsberg
|1232
|16.5
|-
|style="background-color:{{Colour/seat/iap}};color:{{Colour/seat/iap}};"|****
|[[Ibaglian Action Party]]
|Warren Jacobs
|124
|1.7
|-
|style="background-color:{{Colour/seat/ffs}};color:{{Colour/seat/ffs}};"|****
|[[Family First Party]]
|Kimberly Jacobs
|116
|1.5
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
|colspan="3" align="right"|Total valid votes
|7460
|100.0
|}


{|class="toccolours" border="1" cellpadding="2" style="border-collapse: collapse;"
!style="background:#EEEEEE;" colspan="5"|[[November 2006 General Election]]
|-
!style="background:#EEEEEE;" colspan="5"|District: [[Kensington-Royal Arbor-New Windsor]]
|-style="background:#EEEEEE;"
!colspan="2"|Party
!Candidate
!Votes
!%
|-
|style="background-color:{{Colour/seat/con}};color:{{Colour/seat/con}};"|****
|[[Conservative Party]]
|(x)[[Erik Barnes]]
|3929
|49.0
|-
|style="background-color:{{Colour/seat/lib}};color:{{Colour/seat/lib}};"|****
|[[Liberal Party]]
|Emily Raine
|2595
|32.4
|-
|style="background-color:{{Colour/seat/grn}};color:{{Colour/seat/grn}};"|****
|[[Green Party]]
|Alan Finsberg
|616
|7.7
|-
|style="background-color:{{Colour/seat/sdp}};color:{{Colour/seat/sdp}};"|****
|[[Social Democratic Party]]
|Danielle Perry
|492
|6.1
|-
|style="background-color:{{Colour/seat/ina}};color:{{Colour/seat/ina}};"|****
|[[Ibaglian National Action Party]]
|Warren Jacobs
|388
|4.8
|- style="background:#EEEEEE;"
|colspan="3" align="right"|Total valid votes
|8020
|100.0
|}


{| class="toccolours" align="center" border="1" cellpadding="2" style="border-collapse: collapse;"
|colspan="3"|{{Oppleaders}}
|-
|colspan="3"|{{CDS}}
|-
|Preceded by:<br>[[Amelia Pietersen]]
| '''''[[Leader of the Opposition]]''' (acting)''
|Succeeded by:<br>''Incumbent''
|-
|rowspan="2"| Preceded by:<br>[[William Barriter]]
| '''[[Chief of the Defence Staff]]'''<br>1993&ndash;1999
|rowspan="2"| Succeeded by:<br>[[George Venderschmitt]] 
|-
|'''[[Chief of the General Staff]]'''<br>1989&ndash;1993
|-
|colspan="3" style="background:{{Colour/chart/con}}"|'''12th Ministry - Government of [[Marcus Smallegan]]'''
|-
|'''Predecessor'''
|'''Office'''
|'''Successor'''
|-
|[[Jeremy Cannon]]
|[[Minister of Foreign Affairs]]<br>2006
|[[Jeremy Cannon]]
|-
|colspan="3" style="background:{{Colour/chart/con}}"|'''14th Ministry - Government of [[John Goodwin]]'''
|-
|'''Predecessor'''
|'''Office'''
|'''Successor'''
|-
|[[Péricles Maranhão Neto]]
|[[Minister of Finance]]<br>2006&ndash;2011
|''Continued into 15th Ministry''
|-
|colspan="3" style="background:{{Colour/chart/con}}"|'''15th Ministry - Government of [[Amelia Pietersen]]'''
|-
|'''Predecessor'''
|'''Office'''
|'''Successor'''
|-
|''Continued from 14th Ministry''
|[[Minister of Finance]]<br>2011
|[[Richard LeVeque]]
|-
|colspan="3" style="background:{{Colour/chart/hoc}}"|'''[[House of Commons]]'''
|-
|'''Predecessor'''
|'''District'''
|'''Successor'''
|-
|[[John DeLaney]]
|[[Kensington-Royal Arbor-New Windsor]]<br>2004&ndash;
|Incumbent
|}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Barnes, Erik}}
[[Category:Companions of the Distinguished Service Order]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Companion of the Royal Ibaglian Order]]
[[Category:Members of the Conservative Party]]
[[Category:Members of the Executive Council]]
[[Category:Members of the Privy Council]]
[[Category:Ibaglian Army]]
[[Category:Ministers of Finance]]
[[Category:Ministers of Foreign Affairs]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Ibaglian Forces Decoration]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Military Cross]]