Thompson, from Nova Scotia, seemed like the perfect choice to take over the fortunes of the Conservatives. Although reluctant to do so when MacDonald died, he had taken effective control of the government  as the Minister of Justice and the government leader in the House of Commons. He quickly asserted his leadership over the Conservative agenda and when Abbot resigned he felt ready to become Prime Minister.

He had originally made his reputation in the House when he out up a fiery defense of MacDonald's decision to hand Louis Riel. Manitoba also played a big role in his Prime Minister ship due to the fact that once the Privy Council had upheld the Manitoba school law, the next questions was whether the Federal government had the right to overturn the law. Thompson referred this question to the privy council and sat back waiting for their decision. The Liberal attacked this as a stalling tactic but Thompson could not be pushed.

Although relatively young, at age 50, Thompson was invited to become a member of the privy council and when he went too London to be sworn in, he dropped day at the luncheon in Windsor Castle. The Conservatives had lost their best leader and their best chance for the next election.