Harry Lawrence
Encyclopedia
Harry Gordon Lawrence was a South African politician.
Harry Lawrence was on the liberal wing of the United Party
. He was the most senior of the MPs who broke away and founded the Progressive Party
in 1959.
Lawrence served as a Minister in the government of Jan Smuts
before the National Party
came to power in 1948.
He was Minister of Home Affairs 1939-43 and Jan-Jun 1948, as well as Minister of Justice 1945-June 1948.
Lawrence had his spleen damaged when he was attacked by Nationalists at a political meeting during the Second World War. This injury caused Lawrence continuous pain, as he explained when he declined to be considered for the Progressive Party leadership in 1959. He did however become the first Party Chairman of the PP.
Lawrence, like all the Progressive MPs except Helen Suzman
was not re-elected at the 1961 General Election. He did not return to Parliament but served as temporary Party leader after Jan Steytler
resigned in December 1970, until Colin Eglin
was elected leader in February 1971.
Harry Lawrence was on the liberal wing of the United Party
United Party (South Africa)
The United Party was South Africa's ruling political party between 1934 and 1948. It was formed by a merger of most of Prime Minister Barry Hertzog's National Party with the rival South African Party of Jan Smuts, plus the remnants of the Unionist Party...
. He was the most senior of the MPs who broke away and founded the Progressive Party
Progressive Party (South Africa)
The Progressive Party was a liberal party in South Africa that opposed the ruling National Party's policies of apartheid, and championed the Rule of Law. For years its only member of parliament was Helen Suzman...
in 1959.
Lawrence served as a Minister in the government of Jan Smuts
Jan Smuts
Jan Christiaan Smuts, OM, CH, ED, KC, FRS, PC was a prominent South African and British Commonwealth statesman, military leader and philosopher. In addition to holding various cabinet posts, he served as Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa from 1919 until 1924 and from 1939 until 1948...
before the National Party
National Party (South Africa)
The National Party is a former political party in South Africa. Founded in 1914, it was the governing party of the country from 4 June 1948 until 9 May 1994. Members of the National Party were sometimes known as Nationalists or Nats. Its policies included apartheid, the establishment of a...
came to power in 1948.
He was Minister of Home Affairs 1939-43 and Jan-Jun 1948, as well as Minister of Justice 1945-June 1948.
Lawrence had his spleen damaged when he was attacked by Nationalists at a political meeting during the Second World War. This injury caused Lawrence continuous pain, as he explained when he declined to be considered for the Progressive Party leadership in 1959. He did however become the first Party Chairman of the PP.
Lawrence, like all the Progressive MPs except Helen Suzman
Helen Suzman
Helen Suzman, DBE was a South African anti-apartheid activist and politician.-Biography:Helen Suzman, a life-long citizen of South Africa, was born as Helen Gavronsky in 1917 to Jewish immigrants....
was not re-elected at the 1961 General Election. He did not return to Parliament but served as temporary Party leader after Jan Steytler
Jan Steytler
Jan van Aswegen Steytler was a liberal South African politician and the first leader of the Progressive Party . He was born in Burgersdorp, in the then Cape Province now Eastern Cape Province.-Background:...
resigned in December 1970, until Colin Eglin
Colin Eglin
Colin Wells Eglin is a South African politician who is best known for having served as national leader of the opposition from 1977–79 and 1986-87...
was elected leader in February 1971.