It was formed by Walter Skelton in July 1923 as the Protestant Independent Labour Party.
[6] When single-member constituencies were re-introduced in 1927 Skelton stood for the seat of Wallsend but was defeated by the Labor candidate, receiving 42.19% of the vote.
[7] Skelton stood again for the 1928 Hamilton by-election but was again defeated by the Labor candidate, receiving 48.78% of the vote after the distribution of preferences.
[10] In 1930 he stood for the Legislative Council but was unsuccessful, as were the two Protestant Labor candidates for his former seat of Port Adelaide.
[12] The party was formed in an attempt to counter the perceived Roman Catholic dominance within the ALP.