Harold Edward Winch

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Harold Edward Winch (June 18, 1907 - February 1, 1993) was a Canadian politician active with the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) and its successor, the New Democratic Party (NDP).

Winch was leader of the British Columbia CCF from 1938 to 1953, and Leader of the Opposition from 1941. He was called "the best leader of the Opposition that has ever been" by Premier W.A.C. Bennett[1].

Unlike a number of CCFers (such as Grace and Angus MacInnis), he and the BC CCF supported the internment of Japanese Canadians during World War II. Decades later, he conceded that this position was wrong. [2]

An electrician by trade, Winch joined the CCF at its founding. He was first elected to the British Columbia Legislative Assembly in the 1933 provincial election as the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Vancouver East. He became leader of the party and leader of the opposition in 1941. The CCF emerged from the 1952 provincial election with only one less seat than the British Columbia Social Credit Party. Social Credit formed a minority government, but was defeated in a motion of no confidence in March 1953. Winch opposed holding a new election, arguing that the CCF was able to form a new government. When the Liberal Party announced that it would not support a CCF government, a new election was called.

Winch stepped down as party leader, and entered federal politics. He was elected to the Canadian House of Commons in the 1953 federal election as the Member of Parliament for Vancouver East.

Winch survived the 1958 federal election that almost wiped the CCF out, and remained with the party as it transformed into the New Democratic Party in 1961. After winning seven successive elections as an MP, he retired from the House of Commons at the 1972 federal election.

Harold Winch's father, Ernest Edward Winch was also a CCF MLA from 1933 until his death in 1957.

Preceded by Robert Connell	Leader of the BC Co-operative Commonwealth Federation 1938–1953	Succeeded by Robert Strachan
Preceded by Angus MacInnis	MP for Vancouver East, BC 1953–1972	Succeeded by Paddy Neale