In 1942, the BC Conservatives were rebranded as the "BC Progressive Conservative Party", following the federal party's lead. Maitland and Hart served throughout the remainder of World War II and continued their partnership past, running a joint ticket in the 1945 election, winning a massive majority government together of 37 out of 48 seats. However, Maitland died suddenly in 1946 and was replaced by Herbert Anscomb, who became Deputy Premier and Finance Minister in the coalition government. When Premier Hart retired in 1947, the Conservatives pushed for Anscomb to succeed him as Premier, but the Liberals, who had more members in the coalition caucus, insisted that the role remain with a Liberal. Byron Johnson was appointed Premier a short time later, but the conflict strained relations between the two parties and leaders going forward, and caused internal divisions to open up within the Tories.