[2] The party was formed in October 1950, absorbing the Blackburn-Mutton Labor Party (BMLP), which was led by Charlie Mutton, the member for Coburg in the Victorian Legislative Assembly.
Former BLMP MP Doris Blackburn became the PLP's president after its formation.
[5] Mutton was the only candidate endorsed by the PLP at the 1952 Victorian state election.
[6][7] The PLP won a second representative when it successfully contested a by-election for Campbellfield Riding on Broadmeadows Shire Council in July 1954, with Robert Warnock defeating Labor after the resignation of councillor B.
[10] The seat had formerly been held by his father before his retirement from local government in 1953.