Robert Bend
Encyclopedia
Robert Bend (April 14, 1914 – September 24, 1999) was a Manitoba
politician
, and was briefly the leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party
(1969–1970).
). The younger Bend received a Bachelor of Science
degree from the University of Manitoba
, and worked as a school principal.
. The election was somewhat unusual, in that Bend ran as an "Independent Progressive Conservative" supporting the Liberal-Progressive
-Progressive Conservative
governing coalition, while his opponent R.A. Quickfall was an Independent Liberal opposing the government. Bend won with over two-thirds of the vote.
The Progressive Conservatives
left the governing coalition in 1950, but Bend continued to support the government of Liberal-Progressive
Premier
Douglas Campbell
. He scored an easy re-election in 1953, this time running as an "Independent Liberal-Progressive". On January 25, 1955, he was named Minister of Health and Public Welfare in the Campbell government.
under Dufferin Roblin
won a minority government in 1958, though Bend was again re-elected in Rockwood. The following year, however, he was defeated by Tory candidate George Hutton
.
Bend remained out of active political life for the next decade. In 1969, he stood for the leadership of the Manitoba Liberal Party
(as the Liberal-Progressives had renamed themselves), and scored an easily first-ballot win over his three opponents (none of whom had legislative experience).
The selection of Bend proved to be a strategic error for the party. Bend represented the rural, conservative wing of the Liberal Party, and was unable to reach an urban audience (the party's decision to use a "cowboy" theme in the 1969 campaign was little help on this front). Bend was defeated by Progressive Conservative
candidate Harry Enns
in the riding of Lakeside (which Campbell had previously held for 47 years). He stepped down as Liberal leader shortly thereafter, and did not seek provincial office again.
Bend subsequently returned to the education field, serving as superintendent of a rural school division. He died in 1999.
There is currently an "R.W. Bobby Bend School" in Stonewall, Manitoba
.
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...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, and was briefly the leader of the Manitoba Liberal 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 :...
(1969–1970).
Early life
Bend was born in Poplar Point, Manitoba, the son of J.P. Bend (who unsuccessfully ran for the Manitoba legislature in 1927 and 1932 as a ConservativeProgressive 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 younger Bend received a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree from the University of Manitoba
University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba , in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is the largest university in the province of Manitoba. It is Manitoba's most comprehensive and only research-intensive post-secondary educational institution. It was founded in 1877, making it Western Canada’s first university. It placed...
, and worked as a school principal.
Politics
In 1949, Bend was elected to the Manitoba legislature for the riding of RockwoodRockwood, Manitoba
Rockwood is a rural municipality lying north of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It is part of the Winnipeg Capital Region and had a 2001 census population of 7,654. The towns of Stonewall and Teulon are both wholly located in Rockwood.-References:**...
. The election was somewhat unusual, in that Bend ran as an "Independent Progressive Conservative" supporting the Liberal-Progressive
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 :...
-Progressive Conservative
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:...
governing coalition, while his opponent R.A. Quickfall was an Independent Liberal opposing the government. Bend won with over two-thirds of the vote.
The Progressive Conservatives
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:...
left the governing coalition in 1950, but Bend continued to support the government of Liberal-Progressive
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 :...
Premier
Premier
Premier is a title for the head of government in some countries and states.-Examples by country:In many nations, "premier" is used interchangeably with "prime minister"...
Douglas Campbell
Douglas Lloyd Campbell
Douglas Lloyd Campbell, OC was a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He served as the 13th Premier of Manitoba from 1948 to 1958...
. He scored an easy re-election in 1953, this time running as an "Independent Liberal-Progressive". On January 25, 1955, he was named Minister of Health and Public Welfare in the Campbell government.
Defeat and retirement
The Progressive ConservativesProgressive 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:...
under Dufferin Roblin
Dufferin Roblin
Dufferin "Duff" Roblin, PC, CC, OM was a Canadian businessman and politician. Known as "Duff," he served as the 14th Premier of Manitoba from 1958 to 1967. Roblin was appointed to the Canadian Senate on the advice of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. In the government of Brian Mulroney, he served as...
won a minority government in 1958, though Bend was again re-elected in Rockwood. The following year, however, he was defeated by Tory candidate George Hutton
George Hutton
George Hutton was a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He was a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1959 to 1966, and was a cabinet minister in the government of Dufferin Roblin.Hutton was educated at United College in Winnipeg, receiving a Bachelor of Arts...
.
Bend remained out of active political life for the next decade. In 1969, he stood for the leadership of the Manitoba Liberal 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 :...
(as the Liberal-Progressives had renamed themselves), and scored an easily first-ballot win over his three opponents (none of whom had legislative experience).
The selection of Bend proved to be a strategic error for the party. Bend represented the rural, conservative wing of the Liberal Party, and was unable to reach an urban audience (the party's decision to use a "cowboy" theme in the 1969 campaign was little help on this front). Bend was defeated by Progressive Conservative
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:...
candidate Harry Enns
Harry Enns
Harry Enns was a Manitoba politician. He served as a Cabinet Minister in the governments of Dufferin Roblin, Walter Weir, Sterling Lyon and Gary Filmon, and was an unsuccessful candidate for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba in 1971...
in the riding of Lakeside (which Campbell had previously held for 47 years). He stepped down as Liberal leader shortly thereafter, and did not seek provincial office again.
Bend subsequently returned to the education field, serving as superintendent of a rural school division. He died in 1999.
There is currently an "R.W. Bobby Bend School" in Stonewall, Manitoba
Stonewall, Manitoba
Stonewall is a town in the Canadian province of Manitoba with a population of 4,376 as of the 2006 census. The town is situated approximately north of Winnipeg on PTH 67. It is known for its limestone quarries. The local festival is the Quarry Days which is usually held over three days in August...
.