Unionist Party

Grouping established in the Cape Colony 1908 from elements of Dr Leander Starr Jameson's Progressive Party. Upon the unification of South Africa 1910, it transformed itself into a national party representing the English-speaking community in South Africa, and hence its large mining and business interests. Regarded by the National Party as the mouthpiece of British imperial interests, the Unionist Party merged with Smuts's moderate and predominantly Afrikaner South Africa Party 1920 to help stave off J B M Hertzog's nationalist challenge.