World War II began the same year, and the ILP opposed it, but in 1941 Smith surprised the party by announcing that he supported the prosecution of the war. As such, he resigned both from the ILP and his role as chair.
The start of World War II coincided with the ILP's opposition to the conflict, but in 1941, Smith defied expectations by supporting the war effort, resulting in his departure from both the ILP and his position as chair.