"A decent man, but not very popular": JGN Strauss, the United Party and the founding of the apartheid state, 1950-1956
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Date
2013
Authors
Mouton, F. A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Humanities, University of the Free State
Abstract
JGN Strauss, leader of the United Party and the official parliamentary opposition between 1950 and
1956, was a flawed politician. His aloofness and inability to suffer fools meant that he lacked the
popular touch, making it impossible for him to gain popularity. And yet, he never lacked courage and
integrity. He was appalled by the ruthlessness of the National Party, especially its disregard for the rule
of law and the entrenched clauses in the constitution protecting the Coloured franchise on the common
voters roll, in creating the apartheid state. Against the wishes of a significant section in his own party
he confronted the NP on these issues. A palace revolution in November 1956 led to his removal as
leader of the opposition. And yet, despite the humiliating end to his political career, and the subsequent
perception that he was a failure, Strauss was a shrewd and able politician who under challenging
circumstances profoundly influenced white parliamentary politics.
Description
Keywords
JGN Strauss, United Party, Coloured franchise, Constitution, National Party, Apartheid, Progressives, Sir De Villiers Graaff
Citation
Mouton, F. A. (2013). "A decent man, but not very popular": JGN Strauss, the United Party and the founding of the apartheid state, 1950-1956. Journal of Contemporary History, 38(2), 1-20.