 When the ALP split over conscription during the First World War in 1916, Earle, a pro-conscriptionist, followed Prime Minister Billy Hughes out of the Labor party.Like most Australians of Irish Catholic background, Lyons was an anti-conscriptionist and stayed in the Labor Party, becoming its new leader in Tasmania.Lyons led the Labor opposition in the Tasmanian Parliament until 1923 when he became Premier, leading a minority ALP government.