Causton – Eli Taylor, Prime Minister of the Divine Republic of Sanctaria between 1986 and 1993, has died, his family confirmed today. He was 88. Predeceased by his wife Gloria, he is survived by his children Thomas, Louisa, Maryann, and Vivian, and by his numerous grandchildren.
Taylor oversaw the 3rd Government of Sanctaria post-independence from the Church, and was himself a devout Catholic. A member of the Sanctarian Conservative Party since its inception, Taylor served as Secretary of State for Family Affairs, and for Education prior to becoming Prime Minister himself in November of 1986. Though his government was noted for some domestic success in terms of investment in the health system and support for low-income families, his time as Prime Minister is best remembered for what many critics have called a “hands-off approach” to investment in business, as well reported mis-handling the national finances. Many economists say it was the policies of the Taylor government that resulted in the deep recession that Sanctaria faced from the late 80s to mid-90s.
Taylor was born in Haven in February of 1933, the son of a teacher and a housewife. Growing up in a typical middle-class lifestyle, Taylor moved around Sanctaria often as a child depending on where his father was posted as a teacher. He moved to Causton in 1950 to attend university, where he studied mathematics, and stayed in that city for the rest of his life; he represented Causton in the Parliament of the Divine Republic as an MP from 1974 to 2000, retiring at the general election in November of that year.
Government and parliamentary colleagues during his time in office as an MP, government minister, and Prime Minister have been paying tribute with his successor as Prime Minister in 1993, Glen Cox of the Democratic Left Party, saying Taylor was a “good and honest man. He was always willing to provide advice and never let party membership get in the way of friendship”. Chancellor Hendry has also paid tribute to Taylor, as has President Woodstrom.
His family have declined the offer of a state funeral, and instead a memorial mass will be held on Friday, December 17th in Our Lady of Sanctaria in Heaven Church in Causton, with burial following shortly after in the adjoining cemetery.
GWEN COPLEY, Political Correspondent
