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The Rhodesia National Party (RNP) was a political party in Rhodesia and was the successor and right wing of the United Federal Party (UFP). The Rhodesia National Party adhered to the policies of the U.F.P; which, included the abolition of the Land Apportionment Act and the prohibition of racially discriminatory practices.

History

The Rhodesia National Party was founded in 1961 as the right wing of the United Federal Party. In 1963, the UFP split and the party became the Southern Rhodesian successor to the UFP and was led by Edgar Whitehead, the 6th premier of Southern Rhodesia. Whitehead was unanimously elected as the party president in October 1963, ending an attempted takeover by Roy Welensky supporters. The party had about 29 MPs which included 14 Africans. In 1963 the party did not support the effort of independence of Southern Rhodesia, but soon reversed their decision and that it was indeed prepared to discuss a united demand for independence with the Government.

References

1. The British Documents on the End of the Empire Project: Central Africa (PDF). The Stationery Office. 2005. p. 372,353. ISBN 0-11-290587-0.
2. John David Leaver (2006). "'Multiracialism and Nationalisms: A Political Perspective on 1950s Southern Rhodesia ('Colonial Zimbabwe'), Journal of Third World Studies". Association of Third World Studies. pp. 167–168. ISBN 9780931971013. JSTOR 45194313.
3. "Whitehead policy for freedom". The Observer. 6 October 1963. p. 2. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
4. Ben Cockram (1965). U.D.I In Rhodesia. p. 9.
5. J.R.T. Wood (2012). "'So Far and No Further!: Rhodesia's Bid For Independence During the Retreat From Empire 1959-1965". Trafford Publishing. p. 214. ISBN 9781466934085.

• Political parties in Rhodesia
• Political parties established in 1961
• 1961 establishments in Southern Rhodesia
• Conservative parties in Zimbabwe
• Political parties of minorities in Zimbabwe