Labour interests were allied to the Responsible Government Association in seeking self-government for the colony.
[5] The poor economic conditions associated with the Great Depression saw the party rise in popularity.
Throughout the elections of the 1930s, the RLP would progressively increase its vote percentage and Assembly seats running on an anti-capitalist and anti-government platform.
Davies accepted without consulting the National Executive Committee and was appointed Minister of Internal Affairs on 3 October 1939.
The breakaway was more strongly supported in Bulawayo and Midlands, with Salisbury and Umtali remaining loyal.
In February 1942, a motion of no confidence in the Huggins government was defeated but with four members of the United Party breaking the whip to support it.
Despite the party maneuvring, hopes among Labour supporters were high that some form of reunification could be arrived at after the war.
A dispute then began over the affiliation of the "African Headquarters Branch", to which "The Labour Party" were opposed.
The party leader, William Eastwood, backed the creation of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland in 1952.