1943 United Australia Party leadership election
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The United Australia Party (UAP) held a leadership election on 22 September 1943, following the resignation of Billy Hughes. Robert Menzies, the party's leader from 1939 to 1941, was elected as his replacement, defeating three other candidates – Thomas White, Allan McDonald, and Percy Spender.
Background
Hughes had been elected party leader
Election and aftermath
A federal election took place on 21 August 1943, at which the Coalition was defeated in a landslide. Hughes announced his resignation on 22 September, and four candidates stood as his replacement – Menzies, Thomas White, Allan McDonald, and Percy Spender. Spender was eliminated on the first ballot, where Menzies reportedly failed to secure a majority by only a single vote. He won an absolute majority on the second ballot. The exact figures were not announced, but it was reported that Menzies obtained 14 votes out of 26 on the second ballot and that White and McDonald shared the remainder "nearly equally".[3] An election was also held for the deputy leadership, which had been vacant since 1939. White, McDonald, Spender, Harold Holt, and William Hutchinson all nominated, but withdrew when Hughes announced he wished to be a candidate, allowing him to be returned unanimously. At the same meeting, the UAP voted to end the joint opposition arrangement with the Country Party. As a result, Menzies replaced Fadden as Leader of the Opposition.[4]
See also
References
- ^ ISBN 0207132453.
- ^ UAP LEADER, The West Australian, 27 March 1943.
- ^ MENZIES TO LEAD OPPOSITION, The Courier-Mail, 23 September 1943.
- ^ MR. MENZIES TO LEAD U.A.P. & OPPOSITION, The Age, 23 September 1943.