Editing Ross Thatcher (section)

===CCF and Member of Parliament (1942–57)===
Thatcher's politics were heavily influenced by the [[Great Depression]], after which he believed that private business alone could not stimulate economic development on the prairies. Thatcher consequently joined the socialist Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) and was elected to Moose Jaw City Council on a labour-reform slate in 1942. In the [[1945 Canadian federal election]], Thatcher was elected to [[Parliament of Canada|Parliament]] representing [[Moose Jaw (electoral district)|Moose Jaw]].<ref name=esask/>

Thatcher grew increasingly uncomfortable in the CCF. Despite the party itself moderating its socialist foundations and embracing a mixed-economy model, Thatcher consistently found himself on the pro-business right wing of the party caucus.<ref name=esask/> He gradually shifted away from the party, and became known for publicly breaking ranks with the CCF on policy issues.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Eisler |first=Dale |title=Rumours of Glory: Saskatchewan & the Thatcher Years |publisher=Hurtig Publishers |year=1987 |isbn=0-88830-311-4 |location=Edmonton |pages=12–13 |language=en-CA}}</ref> In 1955, Thatcher finally left the CCF over the issue of [[corporate taxation]].<ref name="esask" /> When he left the caucus, Thatcher pronounced that he was "opposed to Socialism and all it stands for".<ref name="obit" /> He sat as an Independent [[Member of Parliament (Canada)|MP]] for the rest of the term, before running unsuccessfully for the federal [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal Party]] in the [[1957 Canadian federal election|1957]] and [[1958 Canadian federal election|1958]] elections; he lost both times to the CCF's [[Hazen Argue]].<ref name=esask/>