Philip May

Phlip May in 2019

Philip May (born 18 September 1957) is an Acordian politician. He served as Minister for the Interior since the 1st of May 2017 in the Cabinets Eades I, Eades II and Jefferson I. He previously held the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Cabinet Bell I from April 2010 until he took over as Interim Prime Minister on the 15th of April 2017, following the death of James Bell. In the Acordian Council, he represents the constituency of Westport Island. From March 2009 to March 2018, he was party leader of the Monarchist League, and in that capacity was a junior partner in a coalition government with the Liberal Party.

## Personal Life

Philip May was born into a wealthy family in southern England. He moved to London with his family at an early age, due to his father's new appointment as professor of literature at Kings College. His experiences in the British capital left a strong impression on him, and are the main reason for his early enthusiasm for politics and the representative monarchy as a form of government.

After graduating from school, May pursued an academic career, obtaining a doctorate from Oxford University as Professor of Modern History from the 18th century onwards, specialising in Victorian England. For his services to science, he was awarded a Knight Bachelor by the British royal family, and has since been rewarded the courtesy title Sir Philip May, although he rarely uses it.

He later emigrated with his wife to the Kingdom of Acordia, and lived there ever since. Early after his arrival, he became involved in local politics and became of of the most popular politicians in the country.

## Politics

### Member of the Council

In July 2008, May joined the Monarchist League and, after a rapid rise, became leader of the party less than six months later. Since the 2010 General Election, he has represented the Westport Island constituency and was re-elected by large majorities in 2015, 2018 and 2021.

### Minister for Foreign Affairs

After the 2010 General Election, May entered into a coalition with James Bell's Liberal Party, with the Monachist League as the junior party and second strongest party in parliament. During the Liberal and Monarchist coalition government, he held the post of Foreign Minister.

His work was marked by obtaining equipment and military supplies from the USA, strengthening relations with Acordia's western allies, and a policy of rapprochement with the neighbouring Socialist Republic.After the outbreak of a second civil war on the 12th of April 2017 against the Socialist Republic of Acordia, he took over as the next senior cabinet minister in the absence of Prime Minister James Bell. After Bell's assassination just days into the war, May took over as Interim Prime Minister.

### Interim Prime Minister

May's time as interim prime minister was marked by a period of turmoil and uncertainty due to the new situation. In the first days of the war, he assembled a war cabinet from the most experienced members of the Council, across party lines, and, working closely with Defence Minister Johnathan Eades, took initial measures to counter the enemy's attacks. Contemporaries described Philip May as the one who steered the ship that is Acordia through the early days of the storm.

After the election of Eades as Bell's successor, and thus as the new leader of the Liberal Party, May resigned from his temporary post on the 20th of April 2017.

### Minister for the Interior

On the 1st of May 2017, Philip May was appointed Minister for the Interior by the new Prime Minister Jonathan Eades, once again becoming a part of Acordia's War Cabinet. In this capacity, he acted primarily as an advisor to the government, providing for public safety during the war. After the end of the conflict with the Socialist Republic, he continued in this capacity until the SLP came to power in November 2021. He is thus considered one of the politicians who held the post of Minister for the Interior for the longest period of time,making him a constant in public security in Acordia.

### Resignation from the Monarchist League and work in the Liberal Party

After resigning as leader of the Monarchist League due to internal party tensions over May's more liberal course, he spent the next few months in parliament as an independent MP, working as a backbencher for his constituency. In May 2018, he decided to join the Liberal Party and has since been the party's leadership candidate for Westport Island.

After the departure of Jonathan Eade from the post of Prime Minister, following a vote of no confidence instigated by fellow party member Harry Jefferson due to the Prime Minister's poor health, May was considered one of Jefferson's biggest supporters, responsible for his election as the new Prime Minister and one of the leading politicians within the Liberal Party.

## Arms

During his time as a scientist, he was knighted by the British royal family, and has since been entitled to bear the following coat of arms.

## Coat of Arms of Sir Philip May

### Notes

Son of Robert John May, who was granted Arms, Crest and Badge by Letters Patent of Garter and Norroy and Ulster dated 10 October 1997

### Escutcheon

Per fess vert and or three pallets between four roundels in bend counter-changed