The Conservative and Liberal parties, and the more conservative remnants of the United Farmers, recognizing the widespread popularity of the Social Credit party, ran joint candidates as independents in what was called the "Independent Movement" or the "Unity Movement".
The "party" might have done better but for their support being spread out across the province and not concentrated enough in specific districts to translate into seats, especially outside the cities.
The Independents did, however, succeed in slashing Social Credit's previous crushing majority; the Socreds won only 36 seats, down from 56 when the writs were dropped.
Independent candidates won 19 seats, enough to make Davison Leader of the Official Opposition.
[1] Many former supporters of the United Farmers joined the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation which ran its own candidates, none of whom were elected.
Strains within the coalition had begun to take their toll with Liberal MLAs leaving the caucus before the beginning of that year's legislative session.