scott first sought election to the manitoba legislature in the 1949 provincial election, in the four-member constituency of winnipeg south. during this period, manitoba's provincial elections were determined by a single transferable ballot. although he finished third on the first ballot, he fell behind in subsequent transfers and narrowly missed election, losing to liberal-progressive paul bardal by 200 votes on the final ballot. he was more fortunate in the 1953 election, defeating independent candidate lewis stubbs by over 500 votes to win the fourth position.