The election was won by Invercargill MP and former Liberal Prime Minister Sir Joseph Ward.

Reform's campaign manager, Albert Davy, had begun working with Auckland businessman John William Shaw McArthur to finance the creation of a new party.

Without consulting other party members, Davy had earlier invited former Liberal Prime Minister Sir Joseph Ward (who was abroad visiting Canada) to stand for the leadership.

[1] While Ward was visiting Winnipeg, he was contacted by a journalist hired by Davy to track him down who asked him about his availability to lead the new party.

He then led the party to a disastrous result at the 1925 general election, losing eleven seats while Reform totaled fifty-five.

In either case it was voided and another ballot was then held where several delegates, after being pressured by Davy, switched allegiance which resulted in Ward winning a majority.

[8] Ward was ecstatic to have won the leadership after nine years in the political wilderness since he stood down as Liberal leader in 1919.

Ward remained United leader and Prime Minister until May 1930 when he resigned due to ill health.