Radical Party (New Zealand)
Encyclopedia
The Radical Party was a proposed new political party
in New Zealand
. It was part of an abortive attempt by members of the Liberal Party
to establish a breakaway group. No actual party was ever formed, but the name was frequently applied to the group of dissident MPs by the press.
The leaders of the Radical Party proposal were George Russell and Frederick Pirani
, both Liberal Party MPs. Russell and Pirani, along with other MPs such as William Collins
and George Smith
, were dissatisfied with the Liberal Party under Richard Seddon
, believing that it had lost its commitment to its founding ideals. Both were considered to belong to the Liberal Party's left wing. In 1896, Russell spoke openly about formalising "the advanced section of the Liberal Party", either as an organised faction in the Liberal caucus or as a separate party.
However, the new group failed to emerge. Tensions appeared to rise between its various members, with rumours circulating that neither Russell nor Pirani would concede the leadership to the other. The MPs whose names had been mentioned in connection with the Radical Party distanced themselves from it, stating that they had never made any commitments. Pirani and Smith both left the Liberal Party the same year, becoming independent
s.
In 1905 a similar group, the New Liberal Party
was formed, but this group was defunct by 1908.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It was part of an abortive attempt by members of the Liberal Party
New Zealand Liberal Party
The New Zealand Liberal Party is generally regarded as having been the first real political party in New Zealand. It governed from 1891 until 1912. Out of office, the Liberals gradually found themselves pressed between the conservative Reform Party and the growing Labour Party...
to establish a breakaway group. No actual party was ever formed, but the name was frequently applied to the group of dissident MPs by the press.
The leaders of the Radical Party proposal were George Russell and Frederick Pirani
Frederick Pirani
Frederick Pirani was a New Zealand politician. He was Member of the House of Representatives for Palmerston from 1893 to 1902, first as a Liberal, then as an Independent. He was part of the Liberal Party's "left" wing.-Early life:Pirani was born in Melbourne, Australia, and his family emigrated...
, both Liberal Party MPs. Russell and Pirani, along with other MPs such as William Collins
William Whitehouse Collins
William Whitehouse Collins was a New Zealand Member of Parliament for Christchurch in the South Island.-Early life:Collins was born on 4 September 1853 in Harborne, Staffordshire, England and came to New Zealand in 1890...
and George Smith
George John Smith
George John Smith CBE was a New Zealand Member of Parliament for the City of Christchurch electorate in the South Island, and later a member of the Legislative Council.-Early life:...
, were dissatisfied with the Liberal Party under Richard Seddon
Richard Seddon
Richard John Seddon , sometimes known as King Dick, is to date the longest serving Prime Minister of New Zealand. He is regarded by some, including historian Keith Sinclair, as one of New Zealand's greatest political leaders....
, believing that it had lost its commitment to its founding ideals. Both were considered to belong to the Liberal Party's left wing. In 1896, Russell spoke openly about formalising "the advanced section of the Liberal Party", either as an organised faction in the Liberal caucus or as a separate party.
However, the new group failed to emerge. Tensions appeared to rise between its various members, with rumours circulating that neither Russell nor Pirani would concede the leadership to the other. The MPs whose names had been mentioned in connection with the Radical Party distanced themselves from it, stating that they had never made any commitments. Pirani and Smith both left the Liberal Party the same year, becoming independent
Independent (politician)
In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
s.
In 1905 a similar group, the New Liberal Party
New Liberal Party (New Zealand)
The New Liberal Party of New Zealand was a splinter group of the original Liberal Party. It was formed at a meeting in the Christchurch suburb of Papanui in June 1905 by two Liberal-aligned independents who sought a more "progressive" policy than that followed by the Liberal leader, Richard Seddon,...
was formed, but this group was defunct by 1908.