Tasmanian Liberal League: Difference between revisions
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==Background== |
==Background== |
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Tasmania was the last Australian state to develop formal political parties, both in terms of [[Parliamentary party|parliamentary parties]] and extra-parliamentary organisations. The first statewide political party was the Reform League, founded in 1902.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=Tasmania|author=Patrick Weller|year=1977|title=The Emergence of the Australian Party System|editor=Peter Loveday |
Tasmania was the last Australian state to develop formal political parties, both in terms of [[Parliamentary party|parliamentary parties]] and extra-parliamentary organisations. The first statewide political party was the Reform League, founded in 1902.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=Tasmania|author=Patrick Weller|year=1977|title=The Emergence of the Australian Party System |editor=Peter Loveday |editor2=A. W. Martin |editor3=R. S. Parker |publisher=Hale & Iremonger|page=361}}</ref> It was soon followed by the Workers' Political League, the forerunner of the current [[Australian Labor Party (Tasmanian Branch)|Labor Party]].<ref>Weller (1977), p. 364.</ref> The Reform League was succeeded by the National Association in 1904,<ref>Weller (1977), p. 365.</ref> which in turn became the Southern Tasmanian Progressive League in 1907.<ref>Weller (1977), p. 368.</ref> With the exception of the Labor Party, which grew rapidly, the parties were mostly inactive outside of election years. There was little cooperation or central control even during election campaigns, and there was no [[preselection]], only endorsement of existing candidates. Within parliament, there was virtually no [[party discipline]] outside of the Labor Party, and the main factions continued to be those supporting the government (known as "ministerialists") and those opposed (the [[Opposition (parliamentary)|Opposition]]).<ref>Weller (1977), pp. 361-373.</ref> |
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==Formation== |
==Formation== |
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In March 1908, a Farmers' and Stockowners' Association (FSA) was founded with three members of the Legislative Council on its executive committee. In a letter to ''[[The Mercury (Hobart)|The Mercury]]'' in May 1909, its president Andrew Mansell argued that the National Association and Progressive League had failed due to their lack of support in country areas, and called for the formation of a new anti-Labor organisation.<ref name=p374>Weller (1977), p. 374.</ref> The FSA received support from the local branch of the [[Australian Women's National League]], as well as what remained of the Progressive League.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=The federal parties|author=Peter Loveday|year=1977|title=The Emergence of the Australian Party System|editor=Peter Loveday |
In March 1908, a Farmers' and Stockowners' Association (FSA) was founded with three members of the Legislative Council on its executive committee. In a letter to ''[[The Mercury (Hobart)|The Mercury]]'' in May 1909, its president Andrew Mansell argued that the National Association and Progressive League had failed due to their lack of support in country areas, and called for the formation of a new anti-Labor organisation.<ref name=p374>Weller (1977), p. 374.</ref> The FSA received support from the local branch of the [[Australian Women's National League]], as well as what remained of the Progressive League.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=The federal parties|author=Peter Loveday|year=1977|title=The Emergence of the Australian Party System|editor=Peter Loveday |editor2=A. W. Martin |editor3=R. S. Parker |publisher=Hale & Iremonger|page=447-448}}</ref> A public meeting chaired by [[William Burgess (politician)|William Burgess]] was held in [[Launceston, Tasmania|Launceston]] on 20 July 1909, where it was resolved to form a statewide anti-socialist organisation. The meeting adopted the name "Tasmanian Liberal League", and subsequently put forward a seven-point platform and a draft constitution.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/50376549|title=Anti-socialist party: a Liberal League formed|publisher=''[[The Examiner (Tasmania)|The Examiner]]''|date=20 July 1909}}</ref> A second meeting was held in [[Hobart]] on 4 August, which elected a provisional state council that included three members of the House of Assembly.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9990135|title=Tasmanian Liberal League|newspaper=[[The Mercury (Hobart)|The Mercury]]|date=5 August 1909}}</ref> |
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==Organisational aspects== |
==Organisational aspects== |
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The party faced its first electoral challenges in 1911, winning two by-elections and helping defeat the federal Labor government's [[Australian referendum, 1911|proposed constitutional amendments]].<ref name=p375/> At the [[Tasmanian state election, 1912|1912 state election]], the Liberals endorsed 35 candidates across the five electorates, winning 15 out of 30 seats. The party was able to remain in government with the vote of an independent, [[Norman Cameron (politician)|Nprman Cameron]]. However, Lewis was deposed as leader by [[Albert Solomon]], following a challenge initiated by [[Norman Ewing]]. Cameron's support proved to be fickle, forcing the Liberals to adopt an unprecedented level of party discipline; the only major split was on the [[temperance movement|temperance]] issue.<ref>Weller (1977), p. 378.</ref> Due to the parliament's instability, Solomon called [[Tasmanian state election, 1913|an early election]] for January 1913. The Liberals won back Cameron's seat, finishing with 16 seats out of 30. However, [[Joshua Whitsitt]] soon defected from the party and supported a [[no-confidence motion]]. Labor under [[John Earle (Australian politician)|John Earle]] then formed a [[minority government]].<ref name=p379/> |
The party faced its first electoral challenges in 1911, winning two by-elections and helping defeat the federal Labor government's [[Australian referendum, 1911|proposed constitutional amendments]].<ref name=p375/> At the [[Tasmanian state election, 1912|1912 state election]], the Liberals endorsed 35 candidates across the five electorates, winning 15 out of 30 seats. The party was able to remain in government with the vote of an independent, [[Norman Cameron (politician)|Nprman Cameron]]. However, Lewis was deposed as leader by [[Albert Solomon]], following a challenge initiated by [[Norman Ewing]]. Cameron's support proved to be fickle, forcing the Liberals to adopt an unprecedented level of party discipline; the only major split was on the [[temperance movement|temperance]] issue.<ref>Weller (1977), p. 378.</ref> Due to the parliament's instability, Solomon called [[Tasmanian state election, 1913|an early election]] for January 1913. The Liberals won back Cameron's seat, finishing with 16 seats out of 30. However, [[Joshua Whitsitt]] soon defected from the party and supported a [[no-confidence motion]]. Labor under [[John Earle (Australian politician)|John Earle]] then formed a [[minority government]].<ref name=p379/> |
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Ewing succeeded Solomon as leader of the Liberal League in October 1914, but was replaced by [[Walter Lee (Australian politician)|Walter Lee]] in September 1915. Lee was able to form a government after the [[Tasmanian state election, 1916|1916 state election]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/lee-sir-walter-henry-7151|publisher=''[[Australian Dictionary of Biography]]''|year=1986|author=Scott Bennett|title=Lee, Sir Walter Henry (1874–1963)}}</ref> At federal level, there was no formal connection between the Liberal League and the [[Commonwealth Liberal Party]] (CLP), but "in practice the federal leaders and their subalterns maintained a variety of personal links with one another". The state party did endorse candidates for federal elections, whose members joined the Commonwealth Liberals if elected to [[Parliament of Australia|Federal Parliament]].<ref>Loveday (1977), p. 444.</ref> In 1917, the party was merged into the National Federation, the new organisation formed by Prime Minister [[Billy Hughes]] from a merger of his [[National Labor Party]] with the CLP. The Liberal League has been cited as a predecessor of the modern [[Liberal Party of Australia (Tasmanian Division)|Tasmanian Liberals]].<ref>{{cite |
Ewing succeeded Solomon as leader of the Liberal League in October 1914, but was replaced by [[Walter Lee (Australian politician)|Walter Lee]] in September 1915. Lee was able to form a government after the [[Tasmanian state election, 1916|1916 state election]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/lee-sir-walter-henry-7151|publisher=''[[Australian Dictionary of Biography]]''|year=1986|author=Scott Bennett|title=Lee, Sir Walter Henry (1874–1963)}}</ref> At federal level, there was no formal connection between the Liberal League and the [[Commonwealth Liberal Party]] (CLP), but "in practice the federal leaders and their subalterns maintained a variety of personal links with one another". The state party did endorse candidates for federal elections, whose members joined the Commonwealth Liberals if elected to [[Parliament of Australia|Federal Parliament]].<ref>Loveday (1977), p. 444.</ref> In 1917, the party was merged into the National Federation, the new organisation formed by Prime Minister [[Billy Hughes]] from a merger of his [[National Labor Party]] with the CLP. The Liberal League has been cited as a predecessor of the modern [[Liberal Party of Australia (Tasmanian Division)|Tasmanian Liberals]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.utas.edu.au/library/companion_to_tasmanian_history/L/Liberal%20Party.htm|title=The Liberal Party and its twentieth century predecessors |website=The Companion to Tasmanian History |year=2006|author=Max Bingham}}</ref> It was the first enduring anti-Labor party in Tasmania.<ref>Weller (1977), p. 381.</ref> |
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===Election results=== |
===Election results=== |
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Revision as of 15:36, 3 February 2019
Tasmanian Liberal League | |
|---|---|
| Leader | Elliott Lewis (1909–1912) Albert Solomon (1912–1914) Norman Ewing (1914–1915) Walter Lee (1915–1917) |
| Founded | 1909 |
| Dissolved | 1917 |
| Preceded by | Southern Tasmanian Progressive League |
| Succeeded by | Nationalist Party |
| Ideology | Liberalism Anti-socialism |
| Political position | Right-wing |
The Tasmanian Liberal League was a political party in the Australian state of Tasmania. It was founded in 1909 and merged into the Nationalist Party in 1917. During its existence it formed a two-party system with the Labor Party. Although the league shared its name and year of creation with the Commonwealth Liberal Party (CLP), there were no formal ties between the organisations.
Background
Tasmania was the last Australian state to develop formal political parties, both in terms of parliamentary parties and extra-parliamentary organisations. The first statewide political party was the Reform League, founded in 1902.[1] It was soon followed by the Workers' Political League, the forerunner of the current Labor Party.[2] The Reform League was succeeded by the National Association in 1904,[3] which in turn became the Southern Tasmanian Progressive League in 1907.[4] With the exception of the Labor Party, which grew rapidly, the parties were mostly inactive outside of election years. There was little cooperation or central control even during election campaigns, and there was no preselection, only endorsement of existing candidates. Within parliament, there was virtually no party discipline outside of the Labor Party, and the main factions continued to be those supporting the government (known as "ministerialists") and those opposed (the Opposition).[5]
Formation
In March 1908, a Farmers' and Stockowners' Association (FSA) was founded with three members of the Legislative Council on its executive committee. In a letter to The Mercury in May 1909, its president Andrew Mansell argued that the National Association and Progressive League had failed due to their lack of support in country areas, and called for the formation of a new anti-Labor organisation.[6] The FSA received support from the local branch of the Australian Women's National League, as well as what remained of the Progressive League.[7] A public meeting chaired by William Burgess was held in Launceston on 20 July 1909, where it was resolved to form a statewide anti-socialist organisation. The meeting adopted the name "Tasmanian Liberal League", and subsequently put forward a seven-point platform and a draft constitution.[8] A second meeting was held in Hobart on 4 August, which elected a provisional state council that included three members of the House of Assembly.[9]
Organisational aspects
The new organisation received a boost when Premier Elliott Lewis accepted its presidency, effectively tying together the extra-parliamentary organisation with the anti-Labor parliamentary party. The Liberal League formally absorbed the Progressive League in September 1909. It appointed three professional organisers to tour the state, and by June 1910 was claiming the establishment of 103 branches. The first state conference in June 1911 was attended by delegates from 42 branches,[10] while a second conference in May 1912 was attended by 119 delegates from 86 of the party's 132 branches.[11] Each branch elected delegates to a divisional council, one for each of the five electorates in Tasmania. Each of the divisional councils then nominated four members of the state council, which functioned as the party's executive.[6] Prospective candidates were required to adhere only to the general principles of the party, rather than the entire platform.[10] The party's constitution forbade branches, divisional councils, and state council from putting forward an order of preferences for endorsed candidates. (Under the Hare–Clark system, there were multiple vacancies in each seat, requiring parties to endorse multiple candidates).[12]
Political and electoral aspects
The party faced its first electoral challenges in 1911, winning two by-elections and helping defeat the federal Labor government's proposed constitutional amendments.[10] At the 1912 state election, the Liberals endorsed 35 candidates across the five electorates, winning 15 out of 30 seats. The party was able to remain in government with the vote of an independent, Nprman Cameron. However, Lewis was deposed as leader by Albert Solomon, following a challenge initiated by Norman Ewing. Cameron's support proved to be fickle, forcing the Liberals to adopt an unprecedented level of party discipline; the only major split was on the temperance issue.[13] Due to the parliament's instability, Solomon called an early election for January 1913. The Liberals won back Cameron's seat, finishing with 16 seats out of 30. However, Joshua Whitsitt soon defected from the party and supported a no-confidence motion. Labor under John Earle then formed a minority government.[11]
Ewing succeeded Solomon as leader of the Liberal League in October 1914, but was replaced by Walter Lee in September 1915. Lee was able to form a government after the 1916 state election.[14] At federal level, there was no formal connection between the Liberal League and the Commonwealth Liberal Party (CLP), but "in practice the federal leaders and their subalterns maintained a variety of personal links with one another". The state party did endorse candidates for federal elections, whose members joined the Commonwealth Liberals if elected to Federal Parliament.[15] In 1917, the party was merged into the National Federation, the new organisation formed by Prime Minister Billy Hughes from a merger of his National Labor Party with the CLP. The Liberal League has been cited as a predecessor of the modern Tasmanian Liberals.[16] It was the first enduring anti-Labor party in Tasmania.[17]
Election results
Note: the changes in seats and votes in 1912 are in comparison with the government vote at the 1909 election.
| Year | Seats won | ± | Total votes | % | ±% | Position | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1912 | 15 / 30
|
 3
|
40,252 | 54.48% |  3.87%
|
Minority government | Elliott Lewis |
| 1913 | 16 / 30
|
1
|
36,157 | 52.58% | 1.90%
|
Majority government | Albert Solomon |
| 1916 | 15 / 30
|
1
|
35,939 | 48.23% | 4.35%
|
Minority government | Walter Lee |
References
- ^ Patrick Weller (1977). "Tasmania". In Peter Loveday; A. W. Martin; R. S. Parker (eds.). The Emergence of the Australian Party System. Hale & Iremonger. p. 361.
- ^ Weller (1977), p. 364.
- ^ Weller (1977), p. 365.
- ^ Weller (1977), p. 368.
- ^ Weller (1977), pp. 361-373.
- ^ a b Weller (1977), p. 374.
- ^ Peter Loveday (1977). "The federal parties". In Peter Loveday; A. W. Martin; R. S. Parker (eds.). The Emergence of the Australian Party System. Hale & Iremonger. p. 447-448.
- ^ "Anti-socialist party: a Liberal League formed". The Examiner. 20 July 1909.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Tasmanian Liberal League". The Mercury. 5 August 1909.
- ^ a b c Weller (1977), p. 375.
- ^ a b Weller (1977), p. 379.
- ^ Weller (1977), p. 377
- ^ Weller (1977), p. 378.
- ^ Scott Bennett (1986). "Lee, Sir Walter Henry (1874–1963)". Australian Dictionary of Biography.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Loveday (1977), p. 444.
- ^ Max Bingham (2006). "The Liberal Party and its twentieth century predecessors". The Companion to Tasmanian History.
- ^ Weller (1977), p. 381.