DC Al Fine
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« on: October 10, 2015, 11:35:31 AM » |
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« edited: October 10, 2015, 12:25:30 PM by DC Al Fine »
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The 1935 election saw a massive realignment. Voters embraced radical change over Charles’ Stewart’s “Fair Shake” and voted CCF en masse. The Tories also declined significantly, getting their worst result since 1874. Social Credit and and Reconstruction both won about 5% of the vote, but fared very differently in seat count. Social Credit’s support was concentrated in Alberta, winning them a healthy caucus, while Reconstruction was spread thin and won no seats. H.H. Stevens dissolved Reconstruction soon thereafter and rejoined the Unionists. His support went all over the spectrum with Anglo isolationists going Tory and Social Credit, while economic leftists went to the CCF.
CCF: 39% (+24%), 105 seats (+71)
Unionist: 39% (-8%) 101 seats (-37)
Liberal: 12% (-26%) 31 seats (-42)
Reconstruction: 6% (new), 0 seats
Social Credit: 4% (new), 8 seats (+8)
After a tense election night, a new minority CCF administration was formed with J.S. Wodsworth as Prime Minister. Although the Liberals and Social Credit were no fans of the CCF, they still preferred them to yet another four years with the hated Tories and agreed to support the CCF government. The CCF was held back from pushing through some of their more radical measures like nationalizations, but they were able to push through their key promise to separate their foreign policy from the British foreign office with support of the Liberals and Social Credit.
Despite losing the election, Arthur Meighen elected to stay on as Unionist leader, hoping to win the next election. This was unpopular in some circles, because Meighen was viewed as having stayed in power too long and allowing the rise of the CCF. In the spring of 1936 he was unable to hold off a motion to hold a leadership convention…
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.
Charles Stewart was defeated handily in his own riding, and his party sunk to a distant third place. He resigned in disgrace soon after the election, and a leadership convention was held in 1936.
Arthur Cardin, MP for Richelieu-Vercheres, QC
A prominent member of the Liberal right, Cardin is calling on the Liberal party to reject the “socialism” of the Stewart leadership. Cardin is popular with the party’s francophone wing and promises a return to traditionalism and advocating for francophone rights. Cardin’s support comes mostly from Quebec and the francophone regions of Ontario, Manitoba, and New Brunswick.
Paul Gouin, Former leader Action Liberal Nationale, MNA for L’Assomption, QC
A prominent member of the the left of the Liberal party in Quebec, Gouin left the Liberals to form Action Liberale Nationale to oppose the Liberal party. His party allied with Maurice Duplessis to form the Union Nationale. Duplessis alienated the progressive members of his party like Gouin, who quit soon after the party was founded. Gouin is influenced by Catholic social doctrine, and supports many of the Fair Shake reforms. Gouin has a sizeable minority of support in Quebec as well as a base among the party’s Western left.
Angus MacDonald, Premier of Nova Scotia, MLA for Halifax South, NS
Angus MacDonald is trying to chart a middle path for the Liberal Party. As the Premier of Nova Scotia, MacDonald has successfully held off both the Tories and the CCF by implementing modest amounts of relief and public works without fully embracing the welfare state. He has support from the Maritime Liberals, as well as some Western Anglos.
Rather than do an IRV vote, I will make seperate posts for each round. Traditional Canadian leadership convention rules apply. A candidate must get 50%+1 in order to win. The candidate with the worst result is eliminated each round. You can vote in one or both of the conventions and role play as you like.
Four days for the first round
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