In 1960, Palley attracted headlines by making an all-night filibuster against the United Federal Party government's Law and Order Maintenance Act.
According to James Barber, author of Rhodesia: The Road to Rebellion, Palley believed that the UFP lacked any real commitment to giving Africans political power.
The election devastated the UFP, which splintered, and Palley became the most effective voice speaking out against the governments of Winston Field and Ian Smith when they demanded independence on the basis of the 1962 constitution.
Palley's district included some black African townships, and the government's crackdown on the nationalist groups in 1964 led to an outbreak of violence there and the declaration of a state of emergency.
[6] He raised an immediate point of order in protest at the government's declaration, saying, "Certain Honourable Members in collusion have torn up the constitution under which this House meets.
When given the opportunity in 1966 to instigate his own debate, he put down a motion opposing the idea of Rhodesia becoming a republic, at intervals refusing to recognise the authority of Clifford Dupont who had been appointed as "Officer Administering the Government" to replace the Governor.
However, the referendum was successful in 1970 and the new constitution changed the basis for the electoral system, depriving Palley of the chance of re-election in the general election that followed.
During the Lancaster House talks in 1979, Palley acted as legal adviser to Abel Muzorewa's United African National Council.
In 1981, he urged Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front party to fight the seats reserved for European voters, arguing that there was considerable support for him there.