As far back as 1941, Coldwell wanted Douglas to succeed him in leading the national CCF (at that time, it was obvious that Coldwell would assume the national leadership in the near future). When the time came for the "New Party" to form, in 1961, Coldwell pressured Douglas to run for the leadership. Coldwell did not trust Argue, and many in the CCF leadership thought that Argue had already been secret meetings with the Liberals to merge the "New Party" with the Liberal Party of Canada. As well, it was thought by Coldwell and Douglas that Lewis would not be a viable alternative to Argue because he likely could not defeat Argue because he had no parliamentary seat but also, and probably more importantly, his role as party disciplinarian over the years had made him so many enemies that he might not win the leadership. Douglas, after much consultation, with Coldwell, Lewis, and his caucus, reluctantly decided in June 1961 to contest the leadership of the New Party. He handily defeated Argue on August 3, 1961. Six months later Argue crossed the floor and became a Liberal.