events in western australian politics assumed an unpredictable quality from late 1915 onwards. on 30 september 1915, the seat of roebourne, previously held by joseph gardiner, was declared vacant and was won at a by-election two months later by the liberal party, leaving labor with no majority in the assembly. the fsa executive had tired of gardiner and colleague tom harrison's continuing support for the government, writing in september 1915 accusing him of "always being the apologist for the bad administration of the present government". in november, country party members were instructed to support a censure motion by the liberal party, but although all members did ultimately vote for the motion, it was defeated by the casting vote of the speaker. on 18 december 1915, the labor member for williams-narrogin, edward johnston, resigned from the party and was re-elected at a by-election as an independent. for the first time since the scaddan government's election in 1911, non-labor forces had a majority in the assembly.