Since the inaugural 1857 election, no parties or solid groupings had been formed, which resulted in frequent changes of the Premier.

If for any reason the incumbent Premier of South Australia lost sufficient support through a successful motion of no confidence at any time on the floor of the house, he would tender his resignation to the Governor of South Australia, which would result in another member deemed to have the support of the House of Assembly being sworn in by the Governor as the next Premier.

However, from this election there began a growing informal division between groups of members who were loosely described as ‘conservative’ and ‘radical’ by the press.

The leaders often contested government against their reported allies in loose alliances, producing an element of political ‘structure’ which continued the previous term's trend toward increased government stability.

John Colton defeated the Bray government in June 1884, in the early days of the new parliament.