Home Rule Party (Iceland) Explained

Home Rule Party
Native Name:Heimastjórnarflokkurinn
Native Name Lang:is
Leader:Hannes Hafstein
Headquarters:Reykjavík
Founded: (alliance)
(party)
Successor:Citizens' Party
Ideology:Home rule
Icelandic autonomism
Conservatism
Position:Centre-right
Country:Iceland

The Home Rule Party (Icelandic: Heimastjórnarflokkurinn) was a political party in Iceland between 1900 and 1923. Alongside the Independence Party, it was one of two dominant parties in the country in the early 20th century. Its leader was Hannes Hafstein.

History

The party was established in 1900 to oppose the original Progressive Party.[1] It won every election between 1916 and 1922. Between 1918 and 1920 it governed in coalition with the Independence Party and the new Progressive Party, before forming a government alone in 1920. In 1922 the Independence Party rejoined the government.[2]

In 1923 the party was dissolved and its members formed the Citizens' Party alongside the Independence Party.[1] The following year, the Conservative Party was established by a majority of Citizens' Party members, with the remainder reassuming the Independence Party name.[3]

Ideology

The party's main policy was to have the Danish Minister for Iceland based in Reykjavík rather than Copenhagen.[1]

Election results

ElectionVotes%SeatsPlace
August 19161,950 33.5 1st
October 19165,333.5 40.0 15 1st
19196,423 45.8 16 1st
19223,258 27.6 1st

Notes and References

  1. Vincent E McHale (1983) Political parties of Europe, Greenwood Press, p521
  2. McHale, p529
  3. McHale, p520