1935 Australian Labor Party leadership election

April 2022 none 1935 Australian Labor Partyleadership election Australia ALP logo, pre-1980s.png presidential Caucus no 1931 Australian Labor Party leadership spill 1931 1945 Australian Labor Party leadership election 1945 1 October 1935 First Ballot Second Ballot 150x150px John Curtin DC241F 9 (42.9%) 11 (52.4%) 150x150px Frank Forde DC241F 10 (47.6%) 10 (47.6%) 150x150px Norman Makin DC241F 2 (9.5%) Eliminated Leader James Scullin John Curtin The Australian Labor Party held a leadership election on 1 October 1935, following the resignation of James Scullin. John Curtin was elected as his replacement, defeating Frank Forde and Norman Makin, and consequently became Leader of the Opposition. Background Scullin had suffered persistent ill health for several years, and announced his intention to resign the leadership on 28 August 1935.MR. SCULLIN RESIGNS., The Sydney Morning Herald, 29 August 1935. A caucus meeting was held on 23 September, although Scullin was absent due to a bout of influenza; the meeting passed a motion asking him to continue as leader, which he subsequently declined.Mr. Scullin Asked to Continue, The Courier-Mail, 24 September 1935. A second meeting was held on 1 October, at which Scullin formally resigned and called for a leadership ballot.SURPRISE VOTE FOR LABOUR LEADER, Melbourne Argus, 2 October 1935. All 21 members of the Labor caucus voted, although three were overseas and voted by telegram; the nine Lang Labor members were ineligible to vote, as they had not yet reconciled with the main party. There were three candidates – deputy leader Frank Forde, John Curtin, and Norman Makin. On the first ballot, Makin (who was overseas) received only two votes, and was eliminated. It was reported that both Makin voters transferred their support to Curtin on the second ballot, who was elected by a single vote over Forde.NEW LABOUR LEADER., The Sydney Morning Herald, 2 October 1935. Curtin's victory was unexpected, as Forde was seen as the natural successor and had prior ministerial experience. Forde's association with the Scullin government and support of the Premiers' Plan were believed to have played against him. Curtin was the first leader of a major political party to represent a constituency in Western Australia.McMullin, Ross (1991). The Light on the Hill: The Australian Labor Party 1891–1991, Oxford University Press, pp. 185–186. 978-0-19-553451-1 Results The following table gives the ballot results: Candidate 1st ballot 2nd ballot John Curtin 9 11 Frank Forde 10 10 Norman Makin 2 Eliminated References Category:Australian Labor Party leadership spills Australian Labor Party leadership election Labor Party leadership election Australian Labor Party leadership election