Jim Goodwin, Viscount Goodwin

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Coronet-viscount.png
The Right Honourable

The Viscount Goodwin
CM CCM EC
21st Prime Minister of New Ingrea
In office
15 March 2004 – 13 March 2012
Monarch Geoffrey VII
Deputy Kristine Dawkins
Preceded by Bill Howlett
Succeeded by Matthew Jones
Leader of the Opposition
In office
22 March 2000 – 6 March 2004
Preceded by Bill Howlett
Succeeded by Matthew Jones
Personal details
Born (1947-12-01) 1 December 1947 (age 76)
Williamsdene, BEAU
Political party      National
Relations Ray Goodwin (father)
Alma mater Royal Military College
Profession Soldier
Religion Christian (Ingrean)

The Right Honourable Lieutenant Colonel James Raymond "Jim" Goodwin, Viscount Goodwin CM CCM EC (born 1 December 1947), is a National Party politician and former Prime Minister of New Ingrea. Serving from March 2004 until March 2012, Goodwin was the 22nd person to occupy this most senior of political posts in New Ingrea, having previously served as Leader of the Opposition, and as a Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Labour and National Service. A protégé of John Tudor, Goodwin was among the generation of National MHAs elected in the 1984 general election that briefly brought Phillip Corbett to power. Having lost power in the 2012 general election, Goodwin initially retied to the backbench until his elevation to the peerage in late 2013.

The Goodwin Government was one of the most successful governments of the modern era, and introduced a number of reforms that have allowed for strong economic growth. In domestic affairs, successful fiscal polices led the nation out the disastrous recession of the early 2000s. Goodwin introduced many workplace reforms, several crown corporations were privatised, and government spending was slashing to pay down the debt inherited from the previous government.

Early life

James Raymond Goodwin was born in Williamsdene, Beaufortshire on the 1 December 1947. The youngest of four children of Ray and Cynthia Goodwin (née Lamb). Goodwin's father was a former commercial property developer turned politician, who served as Minister of State in the Kettering and Hendon governments, whilst his mother was a registered nurse. The Goodwin family had come from northern Ingrea in the late nineteenth century, and by the time of Goodwin's birth, had lived in New Ingrea for several generations. The family was proud of its roots, and much of the family memorabilia had a distinctly northern theme.

At school, Goodwin was a gifted student from an early age who always had a fondness for reading and writing. Having scored well in the Secondary Schools Admission Exam, Goodwin was accepted to study at Rosenham Agricultural College commencing fourth form in 1961. By the time he attended Rosenham, he was also a star in cricket, where he was a decent batsman and slow-medium pace bowler; and in Australian rules football, where he usually played as a midfielder. Academically, Goodwin excelled in his studies, and received three A's and two B's in his Advanced Certificate of Education.

Upon his matriculation from Rosenham in 1966, Goodwin opted to follow the path of his father into real estate and property development. However, a downturn in the New Ingrea property market struck in the late 1960s, and both father and son found themselves out of work by the end of 1970.

Military career

In 1970, Goodwin decided on a change of career in to the New Ingrean Defence Force, and with the guidance of a careers advisor, opted to join the New Ingrean Army as an Officer Cadet. Having been accepted in the admissions test, Goodwin commenced his studies at the Royal Military College at Eddleton in January 1971. With his passing-out parade in July 1972, Goodwin received his commission of second lieutenant, and was posted to the 3rd Battalion, Royal New Ingrean Regiment.

Titles, styles, honours, and arms

Titles and styles

Honours

Order of Merit.png Companion of the Order of Merit 2013 Foundation Day Honours
Conspicuous Conduct Medal.png Conspicuous Conduct Medal
General Service Medal for New Ingrea.png General Service Medal for New Ingrea with clasp
Geoffrey VII Coronation Medal.png Geoffrey VII Coronation Medal
Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct.png Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct for 15 years of service
UNMOGIP Medal.png Assembly of Nations Medal for service with the Assembly of Nations Military Observer Group

Arms

References and notes

Other links

Parliament of New Ingrea
Preceded by
...
MHA for Badminton
1986-2013
Succeeded by
...
Political offices
Preceded by
Alex Fendalton
Deputy Prime Minister of New Ingrea
1992 - 2000
Succeeded by
Graheme Sisson
Vice-President of the Executive Council
1992 - 2000
Leader of the House of Assembly
1992 - 2000
Preceded by
Bill Howlett
Leader of the Opposition
2000 – 2004
Succeeded by
Matthew Jones
Prime Minister of New Ingrea
2004 – 2012
Party political offices
Preceded by
John Tudor
Leader of the National Party
2000 – 2012
Succeeded by
Kristine Dawkins