Following the lastest redistribution of seats, only three constituencies 
have the name 'Manchester' in them - Central, Gorton and Withington. Two 
others, Blackley & Broughton and Wythenshawe & Sale East cover parts of 
Manchester but don't include the word 'Manchester' in their constituency 
names.

When was the last time that Manchester returned so few members of 
Parliament?

Nick Russell
Herefordshire

On 15 June, 19:29, "Nick Russell"  wrote:
> Following the lastest redistribution of seats, only three constituencies
> have the name 'Manchester' in them - Central, Gorton and Withington. Two
> others, Blackley & Broughton and Wythenshawe & Sale East cover parts of
> Manchester but don't include the word 'Manchester' in their constituency
> names.
>
> When was the last time that Manchester returned so few members of
> Parliament?

1885. From 1832 to 1868 Manchester has 2 MPs; from 1868 to 1885 it had
3 MPs; after 1885 it was split into 6 single-member constituencies.

Thanks for that. Of the three, I reckon two might go to the Liberals on 
present showing. Does the phrase 'Manchester Liberals' come to mind?

Since Charles Clarke expressed the fear that the Labour Party might be 
reduced to fewer than 100 seats at the next election, are there any takers 
for the theory that England, at least, might return to Conservative and 
Liberal two-party dominance?

TTFN

Nick Russell
Herefordshire

"JohnLoony"  wrote in message 
news:641897b0-cd84-4466-9076-d672a5bd485d@k2g2000yql.googlegroups.com...
> On 15 June, 19:29, "Nick Russell"  wrote:
>> Following the lastest redistribution of seats, only three constituencies
>> have the name 'Manchester' in them - Central, Gorton and Withington. Two
>> others, Blackley & Broughton and Wythenshawe & Sale East cover parts of
>> Manchester but don't include the word 'Manchester' in their constituency
>> names.
>>
>> When was the last time that Manchester returned so few members of
>> Parliament?
>
> 1885. From 1832 to 1868 Manchester has 2 MPs; from 1868 to 1885 it had
> 3 MPs; after 1885 it was split into 6 single-member constituencies.

Nick Russell wrote:

[ ... ]

> ... Of the three, I reckon two might go to the Liberals on 
> present showing. Does the phrase 'Manchester Liberals' come to mind?

> Since Charles Clarke expressed the fear that the Labour Party might be 
> reduced to fewer than 100 seats at the next election, are there any takers 
> for the theory that England, at least, might return to Conservative and 
> Liberal two-party dominance?

And if so, will the LibDems drop their insistence on PR and revert to the 
position they had on it c.1920?