Joseph Trent



Joseph Trent (b.2162-d.2204)

Joseph Trent was the only President of Dorvik who has died in office. The tragic death of Trent in 2204 forced the nation into early elections and a mass state of mourning gripped the nation for the 42 year old man who had just been diagnosed with Parkinsons disease. Trent entered the party as Senator for Northernmost Mothar in 2183. he served as shadow Defence Minister until his appointment to the CPD leadership in 2195 after the resignation of Samuel P. Watterson. He became the first ever black leader of the party and his election to the presidency saw him become the first ever black President of Dorvik. During his presidency relations with the GC continued to be sour and in September 2203 the GC leader Sir Gary Bunton attempted to strip the President of certain powers in the Presidential Limitation Act which failed to pass in the senate. Trent also managed to abolish Secondary Strike Action and passed action to ensure total agreement was made before a Union could strike. All other bills proposed during his Presidency were demolished in the senate and he failed to co-operate with the GC on any level after the leader made alleged racist remarks about the President. An independant watchdog later cleared the GC leadership. One success of his Presidency however was the maintained CPD presence in the cabinet under Prime Minister Rosemary Anderson. The death of Trent in 2204 shocked the nation that a Head of state could die in office. It is on this basis that Ying Hai Pan introduced the Vice-Presidential Act in 2361. Trent will always be remembered as a short term but strong leader.