Manitoba Democratic Movement
Encyclopedia
The Manitoba Democratic Movement (MDM) was a political pressure group in Manitoba
, Canada
. It existed from 1949 to 1950, as a faction within the province's Progressive Conservative Party
. The MDM opposed the PC Party's continued participation in a coalition ministry
with the Liberal-Progressive Party
, which had governed the province since 1940.
The MDM was formed in 1949 by businessman George Hastings and independent Progressive Conservative legislator John McDowell
. Not a political party as such, it called for the Progressive Conservatives to quit the governing alliance, and supplant the socialist Co-operative Commonwealth Federation as the province's "government in waiting". Hastings and McDowell were both on the right-wing of the PC Party, and feared that the CCF would be able to form government if it remained the primary opposition.
The MDM received financial support from breweries and other business interests. According to historian David McCormick, its objectives were "economy in provincial administration, close scrutiny of new spending proposals and a reduction in the size of the Legislature and Cabinet to save money."http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/transactions/3/roblinsrise.shtml
Under pressure from the MDM and others, Willis resigned from the coalition ministry in mid-1950. The PCs formally left the coalition at their annual party convention in October after only sixteen delegates voted for continuing in the coalition. Hastings stood against Willis for the party leadership, and lost by 188 votes to 45. The primary purpose of the MDM had been accomplished, however, and most of its members accepted Willis's continued leadership of the party.
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It existed from 1949 to 1950, as a faction within the province's Progressive Conservative Party
Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba
The Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba is the only right wing political party in Manitoba, Canada. It is also the official opposition party in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.-Origins and early years:...
. The MDM opposed the PC Party's continued participation in a coalition ministry
Coalition Ministry
Upon Queen Anne's accession to the English throne in 1702, she appointed Lord Godolphin as First Lord of the Treasury and the Duke of Marlborough as Master-General of the Ordnance . They would lead this coalition of Tories and Whigs until 1708, one year after the Act of Union formed the Kingdom of...
with the Liberal-Progressive Party
Manitoba Liberal Party
The Manitoba Liberal Party is a political party in Manitoba, Canada. Its roots can be traced to the late nineteenth-century, following the province's creation in 1870.-Origins and early development :...
, which had governed the province since 1940.
The MDM was formed in 1949 by businessman George Hastings and independent Progressive Conservative legislator John McDowell
John McDowell (Manitoba politician)
John McDowell was a merchant and politician in Manitoba, Canada. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as a Progressive Conservative from 1945 to 1958....
. Not a political party as such, it called for the Progressive Conservatives to quit the governing alliance, and supplant the socialist Co-operative Commonwealth Federation as the province's "government in waiting". Hastings and McDowell were both on the right-wing of the PC Party, and feared that the CCF would be able to form government if it remained the primary opposition.
The MDM received financial support from breweries and other business interests. According to historian David McCormick, its objectives were "economy in provincial administration, close scrutiny of new spending proposals and a reduction in the size of the Legislature and Cabinet to save money."http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/transactions/3/roblinsrise.shtml
Under pressure from the MDM and others, Willis resigned from the coalition ministry in mid-1950. The PCs formally left the coalition at their annual party convention in October after only sixteen delegates voted for continuing in the coalition. Hastings stood against Willis for the party leadership, and lost by 188 votes to 45. The primary purpose of the MDM had been accomplished, however, and most of its members accepted Willis's continued leadership of the party.