Canadian federal election, 1930
The 17th Canadian General Election (English 17th Canadian General Election, French 17e élection fédérale canadienne ) took place on 28 July 1930. Were elected 245 Members of the Canadian House of Commons (English House of Commons, French Chambre des Communes ). The Conservative Party of Richard Bennett Bedford became the strongest party and won the absolute majority of seats, while the led by William Lyon Mackenzie King Liberal Party had after four years reign again in the opposition.
The choice
The first impact of the global economic crisis were already clearly noticeable and Bennett promised during the election campaign of decisive action. He called the liberal economic policies of the 1920s as one of the causes of economic misery. King seemed to be rising unemployment obviously not to take note and stuck to the position that Canada's prosperity was based on the economic policy of his government. Demands for assistance were referred to as part of a " conservative conspiracy theory" and rejected.
Several other factors also played a role in Kings defeat. The campaign line of the Liberals was not very efficient and has repeatedly negative headlines. Bennett, however, presented itself as a "doer " and invested a portion of his own money into the campaign. It was also the first election in which the radio played a significant role and Bennett left a far livelier and angriffigeren impression on the audience than the rather staid King.
The turnout was 73.5 %.