Canadian Election Series - Double Leadership 1936 ROUND THREE

[DC Al Fine]

Background

Results

Robert Manion: 34.5%, 44.5%
R.B. Bennett: 24.1%, 33.3%
H.H. Stevens: 20.7%, 22.2%
Arthur Meighen: 20.7%


Paul Gouin: 44.8%, 52.8%
Arthur Cardin: 37.9%, 47.2%
Angus MacDonald: 17.2%

Meighen and Stevens tied for last place forcing a coin toss to decide the fate of the party*. Stevens won, and Meighen's illustrious political career ended in an embarassing defeat. Meighen quickly endorsed R.B. Bennett and headed off into retirement.  Stevens, unsurprisingly came last in the next round and endorsed Robert Manion.

MacDonald, placed a disappointing and distant third place in the Liberal convention. Wary of Gouin's pro-nationalization stance, and not wanting the Liberals to risk a potentially embarrassing by-election loss trying to get Gouin into Parliament, MacDonald endorsed Cardin. Despite endorsing the establishment candidate, MacDonald's delegates rebelled and Paul Gouin won a slim majority.

R.B. Bennett, Former Minister of Justice, MP for Calgary West, AB
A wealthy businessman, who provides a large portion of Unionist funding, Bennett ran for the Tories several times in Calgary, but was usually defeated by Labour. He finally managed to secure a seat in 1926, and has been Meighen’s Justice Minister since then. Bennett is a fierce anti-communist, but believes that the Unionists should support a very limited welfare state to hold off the radical left. Bennett would create work camps for the unemployed to support public works if elected.


Robert Manion, Former Minister of Defence, MP for Fort William, ON
Robert Manion is most prominent member of the Tory left. He has the support of the party’s Quebec wing, because he is the only prominent Catholic Unionist, and his wife is a francophone. Manion argues that only he can secure the party’s foothold in Quebec and that the other candidates will lose francophone voter to the Liberals. Manion is a strong supporter of the welfare state, but doesn’t support the nationalizations of Stevens or the CCF.


Arthur Meighen, Former Prime Minister, MP for Portage La Prairie, MB
Leader and Prime Minister since 1920, Arthur Meighen is viewed as having stayed on too long as leader, allowing the CCF to come to power. Meighen is arguing that his style and platform have led the Tories to several election wins and still works. Therefore, he is running on his old standby’s, no welfare state, British unionism, and high military spending. Although Meighen is unpopular with large swathes of the party, he still maintains a strong base in rural Ontario and the Maritimes.


H.H. Stevens, Former Minister of Trade, Former MP for Kootenay East, BC
The longtime Minister of Trade in Arthur Meighen’s cabinet, Stevens resigned to form his own party for the 1935 election, running on a platform of massive public works, and isolationism. After losing his own riding, he has rejoined the Tories and is seeking the Unionist leadership with a similar platform.


Three days

[DC Al Fine]

Bennett for me obviously.

[Orthogonian Society Treasurer]

Iron Heel Bennett.

[Wake Me Up When The Hard Border Ends]

Bennett for me obviously.

[VPH]

Manion

[Lexii, harbinger of chaos and sexual anarchy]

Manion

[DC Al Fine]

Bump. Voting closes tomorrow night.

[DC Al Fine]

Bump

[TDAS04]

Manion

[Intell]

Manion