General Elections in Pre-confederation Newfoundland - 7th General Election: 7 May 1855

7th General Election: 7 May 1855

With this election, Newfoundland becomes the last British colony in North America to achieve responsible government.

Party composition unknown but divided between a Liberal majority and a Conservative minority. Total Assembly membership 30.

The Liberal leader, Philip Francis Little, became the first Premier of the Colony. The Liberals were a largely Catholic party, which depended on Methodist support to defeat the mostly Anglican Conservative opposition.

Little became a Judge in 1858 and the Premiership passed to an older Catholic Liberal, John Kent.