Tony Beck

Beck in 3015

Dr. **Anthony Aaron Beck** M.D., usually referred to simply as **Tony Beck**, (born 18 July 2930) is a Wiltshirian politician and statesman who served in a number of key ministerial and political positions between 3010 and 3020, most notably serving as Leader of the Socialist Party and Deputy Prime Minister of Wiltshire. Beck was first elected to the National Assembly in the first ever Wiltshirian Election (September 3009) as a National Party AM (under the leadership of then Prime Minister Jaresh Inyo) however, was a defector along with Thomas Shore. He served as Minister for Health during the Shore Ministry (Wiltshire) and then later as Minister for Defence in Prime Minister Frank Eddington's government.

Beck lost his seat in the January 3019 Election during the Conservative wave, however, was re-elected to his seat in the February 3020 Wiltshire Legislative Elections, once again as a Socialist. Beck was one of the last few elements of Wiltshire following its founding remaining. He resigned his seat in the National Assembly following his resignation as Socialist Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, after the June 3020 Wiltshire Legislative Elections.

## Early Life

The early 2990s was a difficult time for humanity. However, with small re-connections being made to the rest of the galaxy once again, Beck grew up in the generation with renewed hope for humanity. Beck was a loud proponent for the re-establishment of the United Federation of Planets on Terra and spend much of his teenage years as an activist for this cause. Many called Beck "Tarkin before Tarkinism".

Despite what might be perceived as a simple childhood, Beck became an orphan at aged 11 - with his mother and father both dying within 6 months of each other. Though this likely had a significant impact on his early life, Beck seldom talked about his parents. In his memoir, The Time before the Thirty-First Century, he referred to his favourite school teachers, best friends and inspiring political figures - but no parents.

## Political Life

His life in professional politics didn't start during his youth. In fact, he was a medical student and psychology and became a doctor. He entered politics in the 2990s during the time of the Federation/C.E. War - being an advocate for Jaresh Inyo's Federation government. This was short lived, however, as the Federation would lose the war and Beck would follow Inyo's migration path to the Wiltshire plains.

He continued his life in politics in this new system - serving as a Councillor in the Juneville Settlement Council (prior to Wiltshire forming into a single country) and then as a Member of the National Assembly. Beck would serve in this position for over 9 years (between September 3009 and January 3019) and serve in a number of key ministerial positions (including Minister for Health and Minister for Defence under two different Socialist Prime Ministers).

Following him losing his seat during the Conservative victory in January 3019, Beck retired from politics. He moved to Ibeeville, thanks to the free movement of the Novanite Federation and lived there during the September Mutiny and the New Corporate Republic's invasion of Wiltshire. Following independence, however, Beck would return to Wiltshirian politics to run for Leader of the Socialist Party (mainly due to the fact that most of the key Socialist Leaders had been killed during these two events).

He led the party to great success in the February 3020 Elections, putting the Socialist Party back on the map as the second largest party - making Beck the Leader of the Opposition. He continued to serve as Socialist Leader through the June 3020 election. However, when he was unable to make gains for his party, Beck resigned. He was replaced with Scott House as Party Leader. However, before he did, he was able to form a coalition with Mark Edwin's Labour Party.