1900 Tupper led the combined Liberal-Conservative Party and Conservative Party in two general elections, losing both (1896, 1900). Federal election, 1896 The 1896 election was the first election since Confederation in 1867 where Sir John A. Macdonald did not lead the Conservatives. Tupper became the formal leader of the Conservatives and was sworn in as Prime Minister shortly after the election was called. Prior to the election, he had effectively led the government in the House of Commons on the Manitoba Schools Question, since Prime Minister Bowell was in the Senate and had suffered a Cabinet revolt on his handling of the issue. His main opponent in the general election was Wilfrid Laurier, the leader of the Liberals. Although Tupper and the Conservatives won the popular vote, Laurier and the Liberals won the majority of seats and formed the government, the first time at the federal level that the party with the greatest popular vote support did not form the government. 1 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Prime Minister after the election. 2 Prime Minister shortly after election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election. 3 Election returns in 1896 did not require candidates to declare party affiliation. Some candidates did not list a party affiliation. Federal election, 1900 After four years as Leader of the Opposition, Tupper led the Conservatives in the general election of 1900. He was again defeated by the Liberals under Laurier, who increased both their popular vote and seats won. Tupper lost his own seat in Cape Breton. He retired from public life, the last of the Fathers of Confederation to leave Canadian politics. 1 Prime Minister when election was called; Prime Minister after the election. 2 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election. 3 Election returns in 1900 did not require candidates to declare party affiliation. Some candidates did not list a party affiliation. 4 "Unknown" candidates only received 27 votes nationally. 5 Rounding error. Federal constituency elections, 1867 to 1900 Tupper stood for election to the Canadian House of Commons twelve times, nine times for the constituency of Cumberland, Nova Scotia (1867, 1870, 1872, 1874, 1878 (twice), 1882, and 1887 (twice)), and three times for the constituency of Cape Breton (1896 (twice), 1900). He won eleven of those elections and lost only once, in 1900. 1867 Federal election: Cumberland Elected.