Elections for the Parliament of the Cape of Good Hope were held in Cape Colony in 1908. The South African party led by John X. Merriman defeated the governing Progressive Party under Leander Starr Jameson. These elections would be the last for the Cape Colony, with the National Convention that agreed the constitutional framework for the Union of South Africa beginning later that year.

Elections for the Legislative Council were held on 21 January, except for Eastern Province where the election was delayed until 21 February due to the death of a candidate. On 31 January Jameson resigned as Premier after it became clear that the Progressives had lost their majority in the council, which would make governing difficult - even if they could win a majority in the Assembly elections later that year. Merriman was appointed Premier on 3 February, ahead of both the Council election for Eastern Province and the Assembly elections.

Results

Legislative Council

Legislative Assembly

References


South Africa Cape Colony Boer Republics War 1898 Ridpath & Ellis

Slavery Abolition Act 1833 December 1, 1834 Important Events on

1908 Scandal in the Election of 1908

Cape Colony Photos and Premium High Res Pictures Getty Images

Records of the Cape Colony 17931831 copied for the Cape government