Editing Ambrose Shea (section)

== Political career ==
Although he had been suggested as a candidate for the [[Newfoundland House of Assembly]] in 1842, Shea declined a nomination.<ref name=":0" /> In 1848, he ran and won as a [[Liberal parties in Newfoundland (pre-Confederation)|Liberal]] member for Placentia-St. Mary's<ref name=":0" /> and supported the campaign for [[responsible government]]. He was also the party's spokesman on [[Reciprocity (Canadian politics)|reciprocity]] with the United States and was a delegate to negotiations in Washington in 1853.<ref name=":0" />

In the first responsible government [[General elections in Newfoundland (pre-Confederation)#7th General Election: 7th May 1855|election in 1855]],<ref name=":0" /> Shea was elected to the House of Assembly from St. John's West, and was appointed [[Speaker of the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador|Speaker]].<ref name=":0" />

However, tensions soon arose between those members who were immigrants to Newfoundland, and those, including Shea, who were born there.<ref name=":0" /> There were also difficulties between Shea and Prime Minister [[John Kent (Newfoundland politician)|John Kent]], who took office in 1858. Despite the conflicts, the Liberals retained power after the 1859 election. Shea won elected from Burin and remained Speaker after the election. He was absent much of the time from the fall session of 1860, and many believed that he was organizing a covert campaign against Kent.<ref name=":0" />

When the Kent government collapsed, and [[Hugh Hoyles]] was invited to form a [[minority government|minority]] [[Conservative parties in Newfoundland (pre-Confederation)|Conservative]] government in 1861, Shea was offered a cabinet post but declined. In the election held that year, Shea was elected in Placentia. The Liberals were soundly defeated. After Kent's departure, Shea became party leader.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

When the invitation to the Quebec Conference arrived in 1864, Shea acted as one of two delegates, along with [[Frederick Carter|F. B. T. Carter]].<ref name=":0" /> He was an enthusiastic supporter of the [[Seventy-two resolutions|Quebec Resolutions]], giving a speech in their favour at a dinner in Montreal. Upon his return to Newfoundland, however, he found that his enthusiasm was not shared by much of the population. Once again, Shea found himself in the minority of political opinion during debates on the subject in 1865.
As one of the few Catholic supporters of the idea, Shea was invited to join a coalition cabinet under Carter. However, his presence there drew much criticism and provoked many anti-Confederation attacks, to the point where he was unable to sway even Catholic opinion in favour of union. His plan to promote union by employing Newfoundlanders on the construction of the [[Intercolonial Railway]] (ICR) was unsuccessful, as many men either failed find work on the line, or drifted away without returning to the island.<ref name=":0" />

In the 1869 election, Shea was forced to campaign in Placentia against [[Charles Fox Bennett]], the anti-Confederation leader, and an electorate strongly opposed to union.<ref name=":0" /> He and Carter's pro-union coalition government were defeated.<ref name=":0" />

Following the defeat, Shea avoided public life for a time, but by 1873 was ready to run again.<ref name=":0" /> Although he was defeated in St. John's East that year, he was returned unopposed in Harbour Grace in January 1874. When Carter re-assumed the premiership after the fall of the Bennett government in 1873, Shea remained in the Assembly, wielding considerable influence in the Executive Council although he was not a member.<ref name=":0" />

Shea was one of the primary supporters of railway construction, and was a member of the joint committee that recommended establishment of a line in 1880. He fought the 1885 election as leader of the Liberal Party,<ref name=":0" /> quietly negotiating with members of the new [[Conservative parties in Newfoundland (pre-Confederation)|Reform Party]] to ensure a Reform victory,<ref name=":0" /> and laying the groundwork for a future coalition.
[[File:Sirambrosesheaearly1900s.jpg|thumb|left|Sir Ambrose Shea in his later years]]
Although Shea retained his seat in the 1882 election, he began campaigning for employment with the British imperial government. After receiving a knighthood in 1883, he began expressing his desire to become [[colonial governor|governor]] of Newfoundland. Previous government service had given him a favourable standing with the [[Colonial Office]], which indicated to Shea that his services would be properly rewarded. However, he found himself in competition with Carter for the same position.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

Although the Colonial Office initially decided to appoint Shea, it was forced to withdraw his name in the face of protests organized by Carter. The experience soured Shea's opinion of Newfoundland and its government.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

Despite efforts to placate Shea, many in the Newfoundland government felt he was an embarrassment, and wished to see him employed elsewhere. When the governorship of the Bahamas became available, it was agreed to give Shea the position.<ref name=":0" /> He served there from October 1887 to December 1894, and was by all accounts a popular and respected figure.<ref name=":0" />

However, he maintained an interest in Newfoundland's affairs, even attempting to participate in the 1888 Confederation negotiations (though his efforts were ignored). He also seemingly never lost his desire for the Newfoundland governorship. As late as 1894, he was still campaigning for appointment to the post. After his term as governor of the [[Bahamas]] ended, Shea retired to London.<ref name=":0" />