This page shows the results of leadership elections in the New Democratic Party (known as the Farmer-Labour Party from 1932 to 1934, and the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation from 1934 to 1967). Prior to 2001, the leader was elected via a delegated convention. Following the resignation of Roy Romanow, the leader was chosen through a One Member One Vote election.
(Held on July 27, 1932.)
Note: The Farmer-Labour Party was launched as a merger of Coldwell's Independent Labour Party of Saskatchewan and George Williams's United Farmers of Canada (Saskatchewan Section). Williams was nominated as a candidate, but withdrew in favour of Coldwell.
In 1933, the Saskatchewan Farmer-Labour Party became the Saskatchewan branch of the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation. Coldwell was elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 1935, and Williams was chosen as the Saskatchewan CCF's acting leader on December 16, 1935. Coldwell's resignation from the party leadership was not made official until July 17, 1936.
(Held on July 17, 1936.)
Note: Hugh MacLean was also nominated as a candidate, but withdrew.
In 1940, Carlyle King challenged George Williams for the presidency of the party (Williams was both party president and leader) but received only about one-third of the vote.
Williams joined the Canadian Forces in early 1941, and subsequently saw overseas action in World War II. On February 12, 1941, John Brockelbank was chosen to lead the party in the legislature. Williams still retained the position of party president until 1941, when Tommy Douglas successfully challenged Williams for the party presidency. The next year, Douglas also unseated Williams as party leader.