In large part as a result of that promise, Ward's party – United, hitherto in third place – was able to form the next government. (Ballance had been both Prime Minister and Treasurer during 1891 and 1892.) Ward became Prime Minister – and, in what was becoming a tradition, also Finance Minister – in 1906 following Richard Seddon's death. Then, thanks in part to Joe Ward's 'Joe Biden moment', United 'won' the election; it gained more seats than any other party, once four 'independent Liberals' were included in the count. Ward died early in 1930, with his earnest and conservative Deputy – George Forbes – taking over as both Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.
