 Steytler resigned from the UP on 17 August 1959 and was named as the first leader of the Progressive Party, when it was founded on 13 November 1959.Steytler was a powerful personality and a compelling orator, but like all Progressive MPs with the sole exception of Helen Suzman, he lost his seat in the South African parliament in the 1961 general election.Steytler remained party leader until he retired from the post in December 1970.