Electoral history of William Lyon Mackenzie King

This article is the Electoral history of William Lyon Mackenzie King, the tenth Prime Minister of Canada. A Liberal, he was Canada's longest-serving Prime Minister, with three separate terms as Prime Minister (1921–1926, 1926–1930 and 1935–1948), for a total of 21 years and 154 days. He defeated Prime Ministers Arthur Meighen and R.B. Bennett at different times, and was succeeded by Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent in 1948.

Mackenzie King in 1942.

King was elected to the House of Commons of Canada twelve times (1908, 1909, 1919, 1921, 1922, 1926 (twice), 1930, 1935, 1940, and 1945).

He was elected leader of the Liberal Party of Canada in 1919, by the first leadership convention for a federal party in Canada.

Summary

Mackenzie King in 1919.
Mackenzie King at the end of his career.

King was the longest-serving Prime Minister, in office for a total of 21 years, 154 days. He led the Liberal Party of Canada in seven consecutive general elections, winning six times (1921, 1925, 1926, 1935, 1940, 1945) and losing once (1930).[1] He won minority governments three times (1925, 1926 1945) and majority governments three times (1921, 1935, and 1940). He is in a three-way tie with Sir John A. Macdonald and Sir Wilfrid Laurier for the number of general elections he contested as leader of a party.

His unbroken term in office from October 23, 1935 to November 14, 1948 (just over thirteen years) is the second-longest unbroken term, coming after Laurier's unbroken term in office of over fifteen years (July 11, 1896 to October 6, 1911) and just ahead of Macdonald's longest unbroken term of just under thirteen years (October 17, 1878 to June 6, 1891).[1]

King was the third of four prime ministers to serve non-consecutive terms, the others being Macdonald, Meighen, and Pierre Trudeau.

King was the fourth of five prime ministers from Ontario, the others being Sir John A. Macdonald, Alexander Mackenzie, Sir Mackenzie Bowell, and Lester Pearson.

King stood for election to the House of Commons of Canada sixteen times, in ten general elections and six by-elections. He was elected twelve times and defeated four times. Three of the by-elections were ministerial by-elections, triggered by King entering the federal Cabinet, once as Minister of Labour (1909) and twice as Prime Minister (1922, 1926). Two of the by-elections were in response to his defeats in his own constituency in general elections, which compelled him to seek election to a safe seat to re-enter the Commons. One by-election was after his election as leader of the Liberal Party, where he stood for election in a vacant seat to enter the House of Commons as quickly as possible.

King was a member of the House of Commons for five different constituencies, from three different provinces (Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan), a more diverse electoral record than any other Prime Minister. He served in the House of Commons for a total of 32 years and 7 days.[2]

Canada had nine provinces and two territories throughout King's time in office.

Federal general elections, 1921 to 1945

King led the Liberal Party in seven general elections, winning six (three majority governments and three minority governments) and was defeated once.

Canadian federal election, 1921

The 1921 election resulted in the a razor-thin majority government for King. King was able to maintain his government for four years, with the support of the Progressives in the Commons.

Canadian Federal Election, 1921 - Parties, Leaders, Seats Won and Popular Vote
Party LeadersSeats WonPopular Vote
Liberal W. L. Mackenzie King111841.2%
Progressive T. A. Crerar5821.1%
  ConservativeArthur Meighen24930.0%
  LabourJ. S. Woodsworth32.7%
  Independents23.0%
United Farmers of Alberta 20.7%
  Independent Conservative10.4%
United Farmers of Ontario 10.1%
  Independent Progressive10.1%
Total 235 99.3%3
Sources: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867

1 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Prime Minister after the election.
2 Prime Minister when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election.
3 Table does not include parties which received votes but did not elect any members.

Canadian federal election, 1925

Although Arthur Meighen and the Liberal-Conservatives won more seats than King and the Liberals, King was able to form a minority government with the support of the Progressives. King was also defeated in his own seat of York North, Ontario and had to seek election in a safe seat, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. However, he was forced to resign over a federal procurement scandal less than a year into office, leading to his replacement as Prime Minister by Arthur Meighen, leader of the Liberal-Conservatives. These events triggered a constitutional crisis, the King–Byng Affair, and the general election of 1926.

Canadian Federal Election, 1925 - Parties, Leaders, Seats Won and Popular Vote
Party LeadersSeats WonPopular Vote
  Liberal-ConservativeArthur Meighen111546.1%
Liberal W. L. Mackenzie King210039.7%
Progressive Robert Forke228.5%
  LabourJ. S. Woodsworth21.8%
  Independents20.5%
United Farmers of Alberta 20.3%
  Independent Liberal11.0%
  Independent Conservative10.5%
Total 245 98.4%4
Sources: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867

1 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election.
2 Prime Minister when election was called; Prime Minister after the election.
3 Less than 0.05% of the popular vote.
4 Table does not include parties which received votes but did not elect any members.

Canadian federal election, 1926

This general election was called on the advice of Prime Minister Meighen, appointed Prime Minister by the Governor-General, Viscount Byng, after King resigned as Prime Minister. King's resignation triggered a constitutional crisis, the King-Byng Affair. King and the Liberals won the greatest number of seats in the election, but were short of a majority. King formed a minority government with support from some Progressives, particularly the Liberal-Progressives. His minority government lasted for four years.

Canadian Federal Election, 1926 - Parties, Leaders, Seats Won and Popular Vote
Party LeadersSeats WonPopular Vote
Liberal W. L. Mackenzie King111642.9%
  Liberal-ConservativeArthur Meighen29145.4%
Progressive 113.9%
United Farmers of Alberta 111.9%
Liberal–Progressive Robert Forke81.9%
  Labour41.7%
  Independents20.8%
  Independent Liberal10.6%
United Farmers of Ontario 10.2%
Total 245 99.3%3
Sources: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867

1 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Prime Minister after the election.
2 Prime Minister when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election.
3 Less than 0.05% of the popular vote.
3 Table does not include parties which received votes but did not elect any members.

Canadian federal election, 1930

The 1930 election was King's only election loss at the national level. The Liberal-Conservatives formed a majority government, with R.B. Bennett as Prime Minister. King remained as leader of the Liberal Party and became Leader of the Opposition.

Election poster showing Mackenzie King in 1930 general election.
Canadian Federal Election, 1930 - Parties, Leaders, Seats Won and Popular Vote
Party LeadersSeats WonPopular Vote
  Liberal-ConservativeR. B. Bennett113547.8%
Liberal W. L. Mackenzie King28944.0%
United Farmers of Alberta 91.5%
Progressive 31.8%
Liberal–Progressive 31.2%
  LabourJ. S. Woodsworth20.7%
  Independents20.6%
  Progressive-Conservative10.4%
  Independent Labour10.4%
Total 245 98.4%4
Sources: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867

1 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Prime Minister after election.
2 Prime Minister when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election.
3 Less than 0.5% of the popular vote.
4 Table does not include parties which received votes but did not elect any members.

1935 Canadian federal election

In the 1935 election, King and the Liberals decisively defeated the Liberal-Conservatives, giving King his first outright majority government.

Canadian Federal Election, 1935 - Parties, Leaders, Seats Won and Popular Vote
Party LeadersSeats WonPopular Vote
Liberal W. L. Mackenzie King117344.7%
  Liberal-ConservativeR. B. Bennett23929.8%
Social Credit J. H. Blackmore174.1%
     Co-operative Commonwealth FederationJ. S. Woodsworth79.3%
Liberal–Progressive 40.7%
Reconstruction H. H. Stevens18.7%
  Independent Liberal11.2%
  Independent10.4%
  United Farmers of Ontario-Labour10.4%
  Independent Conservative10.0%3
Total 245 99.3%4
Sources: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867

1 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Prime Minister after election.
2 Prime Minister when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election.
3 Less than 0.04% of national vote.
4 Table does not include parties which received votes but did not elect any members.

1940 Canadian federal election

In the 1940 election, King and the Liberals were re-elected, with another majority government.

Canadian Federal Election, 1940 - Parties, Leaders, Seats Won and Popular Vote
Party LeadersSeats WonPopular Vote
Liberal W. L. Mackenzie King117951.3%
  National GovernmentRobert Manion 23629.2%
  Conservative31.2%
     Co-operative Commonwealth FederationJ. S. Woodsworth88.4%
Social Credit J. H. Blackmore71.0%
New Democracy W. D. Herridge31.6%
Liberal–Progressive 30.6%
  Independent Liberal23.2%
  Independent11.2%
  Independent Conservative10.2%
  Unity10.3%
  United Reform10.3%
Total 245 98.5%3
Sources: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867

1 Prime Minister when election was called; Prime Minister after election.
2 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election.
3 Table does not include parties which received votes but did not elect any members.

1945 Canadian federal election

In the 1945 election, King and the Liberals were re-elected, but with another minority government. King managed to stay in power by a working alliance with a group of Independent Liberals, who had opposed his position on conscription. King was defeated in his own seat of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, and had to seek election in another safe seat, Glengarry, Ontario.

Canadian Federal Election, 1945 - Parties, Leaders, Seats Won and Popular Vote
Party LeadersSeats WonPopular Vote
Liberal W. L. Mackenzie King111839.8%
  Progressive ConservativeJohn Bracken26627.6%
     Co-operative Commonwealth FederationM. J. Coldwell2815.6%
Social Credit Solon Earl Low134.1%
  Independent Liberal81.8%
  Independent64.9%
Bloc populaire Maxime Raymond23.3%
Labor–Progressive3 Tim Buck12.1%
  Independent Progressive Conservative10.3%
  Independent Co-operative Commonwealth Federation10.1%
Liberal–Progressive 10.1%
Total 245 99.7%3
Sources: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867

1 Prime Minister when election was called; Prime Minister after election.
2 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election.
3 Table does not include parties which received votes but did not elect any members.

Federal constituency elections, 1908 to 1945

King stood for election to the House of Commons sixteen times, in three different provinces (Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan).

1908 Federal Election: Waterloo North

1908 Canadian federal election: Waterloo North
Party Candidate Votes%Elected
LiberalWilliam Lyon Mackenzie King3,46951.58Y
ConservativeRichard Reid3,20647.67
IndependentAllen Hubur500.74
Total valid votes 6,725 100.00
Source(s)
"Waterloo North, Ontario (1867-08-06 - 1968-04-22)". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved March 24, 2020.

1909 Federal Ministerial By-Election: Waterloo North

At this time, newly appointed Cabinet ministers had to stand for re-election, but it was customary for the other political party not to oppose the election.

Canadian federal by-election, June 6, 1909: Waterloo North
Federal Ministerial by-election for King's appointment as Minister of Labour on June 21, 1909
Party Candidate VotesElected
LiberalWilliam Lyon Mackenzie KingacclaimedY
Total valid votes -- 
Source(s)
"Waterloo North, Ontario (1867-08-06 - 1968-04-22)". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved March 24, 2020.

1911 Federal Election: Waterloo North

This was the first of King's four defeats at the constituency level.

1911 Canadian federal election: Waterloo North
Party Candidate Votes%Elected
ConservativeWilliam George Weichel3,77452.18Y
LiberalWilliam Lyon Mackenzie King3,45947.82
Total valid votes 7,223 100.00
Source(s)
"Waterloo North, Ontario (1867-08-06 - 1968-04-22)". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved March 24, 2020.

1917 Federal Election: York North

This was the second of King's four defeats at the constituency level.

1917 Canadian federal election: York North
Party Candidate Votes%Elected
Government (Unionist)John Alexander Macdonald Armstrong3,94857.91Y
Opposition (Laurier Liberals)William Lyon Mackenzie King2,87042.09
Total valid votes 6,818 100.00
Source(s)
"York North, Ontario (1867-08-06 - 2004-05-22)". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved March 24, 2020.

1919 Federal By-Election: Prince

This by-election was triggered by the death of the incumbent, Joseph Read. King had recently been elected leader of the Liberal Party, and stood for election in Prince Edward Island to obtain a seat in the Commons as quickly as possible.

Canadian federal by-election, October 20, 1919 (1919-10-20): Prince
Federal by-election following Joseph Reed's death on April 6, 1919 (1919-04-06)
Party Candidate VotesElected
LiberalWilliam Lyon Mackenzie KingacclaimedY
Total valid votes -- 
Source(s)
"Prince, Prince Edward Island (1904-09-20 - 1968-04-22)". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved March 24, 2020.

1921 Federal Election: York North

1921 Canadian federal election: York North
Party Candidate Votes%Elected
LiberalWilliam Lyon Mackenzie King5,16742.17Y
ConservativeJohn Alexander Macdonald Armstrong4,11233.56
ProgressiveRalph Waldo Emerson Burnaby2,97324.27
Total valid votes 12,252 100.00
Source(s)
"York North, Ontario (1867-08-06 - 2004-05-22)". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved March 24, 2020.

1922 Federal Ministerial By-Election: York North

At this time, newly appointed Cabinet ministers, including a new Prime Minister, had to stand for re-election, but it was customary for the other political party not to oppose the election.

Canadian federal by-election, January 19, 1922 (1922-01-19): York North
Federal Ministerial by-election for King's appointment as Prime Minister
Party Candidate VotesElected
LiberalWilliam Lyon Mackenzie KingacclaimedY
Total valid votes -- 
Source(s)
"York North, Ontario (1867-08-06 - 2004-05-22)". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved March 24, 2020.

1925 Federal Election: York North

This was the third of King's four defeats at the constituency level.

1925 Canadian federal election: York North
Party Candidate Votes%Elected
ConservativeThomas Herbert Lennox10,02851.26Y
LiberalWilliam Lyon Mackenzie King9,53448.74
Total valid votes 19,562 100.00
Source(s)
"York North, Ontario (1867-08-06 - 2004-05-22)". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved March 24, 2020.

1926 Federal By-Election: Prince Albert

The incumbent, Charles McDonald, who had just won the Prince Albert seat in the 1925 general election, was persuaded to resign to allow King to stand for election and re-enter the House of Commons. Although the custom at the time was that the other parties would not contest a by-election to allow a party leader to obtain a seat, the defeated Conservative candidate from the general election, future Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, encouraged David Burgess to contest the seat as an independent.

Canadian federal by-election, February 15, 1926 (1926-02-15): Prince Albert
Charles McDonald's resignation on January 15, 1926 (1926-01-15).
Party Candidate Votes%±%Elected
LiberalWilliam Lyon Mackenzie King7,92077.50+26.3Y
IndependentDavid Luther Burgess2,29922.50
Total valid votes 10,219100.0
Source(s)
"Prince Albert, Saskatchewan (1908-09-17 - 1988-09-30)". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved March 24, 2020.

1926 Federal Election: Prince Albert

Diefenbaker campaign poster in the 1926 election.

This is the only case where two future Prime Ministers faced each other as candidates for the same riding.

1926 Canadian federal election: Prince Albert
Party Candidate Votes%±%Elected
LiberalWilliam Lyon Mackenzie King8,93364.87-12.6Y
ConservativeJohn Diefenbaker4,83835.13
Total valid votes 13,771100.0
Source(s)
"Prince Albert, Saskatchewan (1908-09-17 - 1988-09-30)". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved March 24, 2020.

1926 Federal Ministerial By-Election: Prince Albert

Due to a federal procurement scandal, King had resigned as Prime Minister in mid-1926 and been replaced by Arthur Meighen, who shortly afterwards called the 1926 general election. Having won the general election and been appointed Prime Minister, King was required to stand for re-election, but it was customary for the other political party not to oppose the election.

Canadian federal by-election, November 2, 1926 (1926-11-02): Prince Albert
On Mr. King's acceptance of an office of emolument under the Crown, October 11, 1926 (1926-10-11).
Party Candidate VotesElected
LiberalWilliam Lyon Mackenzie KingacclaimedY
Total valid votes -- 
Source(s)
"Prince Albert, Saskatchewan (1908-09-17 - 1988-09-30)". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved March 24, 2020.

1930 Federal Election: Prince Albert

1930 Canadian federal election: Prince Albert
Party Candidate Votes%±%Elected
LiberalWilliam Lyon Mackenzie King9,28353.43Y
ConservativeGeorge Braden8,09146.57
Total valid votes 17,374100.0
Source(s)
"Prince Albert, Saskatchewan (1908-09-17 - 1988-09-30)". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved March 24, 2020.

1935 Federal Election: Prince Albert

1935 Canadian federal election: Prince Albert
Party Candidate Votes%±%Elected
LiberalWilliam Lyon Mackenzie King9,08754.67+1.2Y
Social CreditAlexander Rupert Bedard3,18519.16
ConservativeTom Francis Graves2,88017.33-29.2
Co-operative CommonwealthTom Johnston1,4698.84
Total valid votes 16,621100.0
Source(s)
"Prince Albert, Saskatchewan (1908-09-17 - 1988-09-30)". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved March 24, 2020.

1940 Federal Election: Prince Albert

1940 Canadian federal election: Prince Albert
Party Candidate Votes%±%Elected
LiberalWilliam Lyon Mackenzie King8,31045.96-8.7Y
National-UnityRobert Rae Manville7,53441.67
Co-operative CommonwealthPeter William Strelive1,99311.02+2.2
CommunistAlfred Cowie Campbell2431.34
Total valid votes 18,080 100.0
Source(s)
"Prince Albert, Saskatchewan (1908-09-17 - 1988-09-30)". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved March 24, 2020.

1945 Federal Election: Prince Albert

This was the fourth of King's four defeats at the constituency level.

1945 Canadian federal election: Prince Albert
Party Candidate Votes%±%Elected
Co-operative CommonwealthEdward LeRoy Bowerman7,92840.99+30.0Y
LiberalWilliam Lyon Mackenzie King7,79940.32-5.6
Progressive ConservativeWalter Hemming Nelson2,76814.31
Social CreditJoshua Norman Haldeman8474.38
Total valid votes 19,342100.0
Source(s)
"Prince Albert, Saskatchewan (1908-09-17 - 1988-09-30)". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved March 24, 2020.

1945 Federal By-Election: Glengarry

In the 1945 general election, William MacDiarmid won the seat for the Liberals. He resigned the seat to allow King an opportunity to re-enter the House of Commons.

Canadian federal by-election, August 6, 1945 (1945-08-06): Glengarry
On William MacDiarmid's acceptance of an office of emolument under the Crown, June 22, 1945 (1945-06-22)
Party Candidate Votes%
LiberalWilliam Lyon Mackenzie King4,55193.33
IndependentRichard Monahan3256.67
Total valid votes 4,876100.0
Source(s)
"Glengarry, Ontario (1925-09-05 - 1953-06-12)". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved March 24, 2020.

Liberal Party leadership convention, 1919

King won the leadership after three completed ballots. His primary opposition was William Stevens Fielding, former premier of Nova Scotia and former Finance Minister in Laurier's governments.

Liberal Leadership Convention, August 7, 1919
Voting results by ballot
Candidate First Ballot Second Ballot Third Ballot Fourth Ballot Fifth Ballot
Votes cast % Votes cast % Votes cast % Votes cast % Votes cast %
Mackenzie King 344 36.3% 411 43.8% 476 52.1%
William Stevens Fielding 297 31.4% 344 36.6% 438 47.9%
George Perry Graham 153 16.2% 124 13.2% Withdrew on third ballot, which was then cancelled.
Daniel Duncan McKenzie 153 16.2% 60 6.4% Withdrew on fourth ballot, which was then cancelled.
Total 947 100.1%1 939 100.0% 914 100.0%
Source: CPAC – 1919 Liberal Convention

1 Rounding error.

See also

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.