Edward Bernard

Edward Bernard
Office Held President of Wharf Springs Elected Years §196, §200 (current term) Political Affiliation Independent. Flip-Flopper? Very much so! Once Was Left, But Now Is Right.

Edward Bernard is the current President of Wharf Springs

Biography

Born §152

Bernard is a 4th generation Wharf Springian, and as such is part of what academics are now calling the "forgotten generation" of Wharf Springs citizens. First elected after a close campaign in §196 at the age of 30, he became Wharf Springs youngest ever President in its history, and the 18th President since the country's inauguration.

He grew up in a suburb of Formica Woodtops, the capital city, and came from a large family. He often claims to have witnessed the travesty that is Formica Woodtops' transportation system first hand, but those claims are much disputed by his autobiographers, who say he has never set foot on a bus in his life, preferring instead to use the Presidential Flying Umbrella to get to events. It is perhaps unsurprising that his talent for arriving at ceremonial events at the last second by descending from the sky and onto the Presidential Podium is gaining him the disparaging nickname "Mary Poppins".

Political Background

Bernard follows a long line of respected and revered individuals who have made it to the position of President without being affiliated to a party. He is the 5th Independent to be elected to the post, and the achievement becomes even more apparent when one considers the size of the population at the last election, and how difficult it is to mobilise campaigns without party apparatus and fundraising support.

The "Forgotten Generation"

Bernard is a 4th generation Wharf Springian, who have been classified by noted sociologists as the "forgotten generation" of Wharf Springs. This is believed to be one of the major factors in his political ideology, or rather lack of it. It largely encompasses the years §148 to §160 which coincide with the term of former President Randy Flypops. These years were marked by an almost entire breakdown in society as ultra-liberal values were enforced on Society by the then President. Society disappeared overnight as Randy Flypops ordered it (ironically, in a most illiberal way) to be captured wherever seen on the streets and deported to Lands Faraway.

Without Society to love and protect the Wharf Springs children, the generation grew up almost entirely on their own. As such, most of them grew into extreme-individualists, but with no particular sense of what is expected of them. This is believed to manifest itself in Bernard's continual flip-flopping between left and right ideologies, culminating in his sudden conversion to Grahamonomics.

Grahamonomics

In a recent fit of rage, Bernard decided to switch to neoliberal economic doctrine, encouraged by Grahamonomics. The nation is currently in turmoil as Bernard attempts to impose these policies across the board, but is struggling to get them through the Parliament of Wharf Springs. It has made him distinctly unpopular, and as a consequence he is going beyond Grahamonomics into authoritarian right-wing rule, which has never before been seen in Wharf Springs, not since the days of the assassination of Richard Tatorial, the 3rd President.

Opinion polls are not looking good for Bernard's future, and a third term is now in severe jeopardy.

Election Campaign, §196

Full results available on Wharf Springs page

Election Campaign, §200

Full results available on Wharf Springs page