National Party (Rainier)

The National Party was a Rainian party that was one of the two major political parties in Rainier from 1860 to its merger with the Union Party into the National Union Party in 1933.

The National Party was founded in 1860 by Fydd Rochester under the name of the British Imperial Party and was strongly pro-, and anti-federalist. Rochester had been a key figure in the creation of Rainier and had served in the original Cabinet of Alfred Henry Lawson, but resigned over the issue of free trade/ The National Party eventually attained power in 1867 with Rochester becoming the Prime Minister of Rainier. Although out of power for a short period from 1877-1882 in the 1882 election the National's won triggering a 29 year period of National Party dominance in politics.

Rochester implemented the protectionist National Economic Policy and created the provinces of Alberta, Idaho, Cascadia and Saskatchewan all of which would become solidly pro-National. A Rochester also oversaw some moderate social reforms. In 1896 Rochester died in office, and was succeeded by Samuel Battestone from 1896-1905 and Hywel Lawson from 1905-1912 when the Nationals were ousted from office.

The Nationals returned to government under Joseph Lear from 1921-1929 before losing the 1929 election to the liberal party. By the 1920's the Nationals had moved from their previous protectionist policies to endorsing a moderate form of free trade. In 1932 the general strike saw the National party leader Albert W. Moore strike an "understanding" with the Union Prime Minister Rhys Lawgoch. The 1933 election saw the Nationals become the largest party, but was far short of a majority. Rather than rule as a the Nationals merged with the Union Party to form the National Union Party, which has since become the major  party in Rainier.