The prairie populist : George Hara Williams and the untold story of the CCF : an essay on radical leadership in a time of crisis and the victory of socialist agrarian populism, 1921-1944

The story of a socialist who led a populist movement of farmers in Saskatchewan, and went on to form the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation George Hara Williams was the most successful of the early leaders of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) in Saskatchewan. But his role in the party was undermined by Tommy Douglas and M. J. Coldwell, and now he is almost forgotten. The populist who mobilized farmers of the province to support a socialist platform, he was one of five MLAs elected in the 1934 election, becoming Leader of the Opposition. He firmly supported socialists participating in the struggle against fascism, including military action, a position not held by everyone in the party. While Williams was serving overseas, a campaign to replace him as leader, led by Coldwell and Douglas, was successful. The full story of Williams role in building the CCF and bringing it to the threshold of power, and the party machinations leading to his defeat as leader, has until now, been never fully documented. "James Naylor, author of The Fate of Labour Socialism George Hara Williams was the most successful of the early leaders of the CCF in Saskatchewan. But his role in the party was undermined by Tommy Douglas and M.J. Coldwell, and now he is largely forgotten. The populist who mobilized farmers of the province to support a socialist platform, Williams was one of five MLAs elected in the 1934 election, becoming Leader of the Opposition. He firmly supported socialists participating in the struggle against fascism, including military action, a position not held by everyone in the party. While Williams was serving overseas, a campaign to replace him as leader, led by Coldwell and Douglas, was successful. Until now, the full story of Williams's role in building the CCF and bringing it to the threshold of power, and his defeat as leader, has never been told."-- Provided by publisher