Lawrence Cunliffe

Lawrence Francis Cunliffe (born 25 March 1929) is a former British Labour Party politician. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Leigh from 1979 to 2001.^[1][2]

Lawrence Cunliffe
Member of Parliament for Leigh
In office 3 May 1979 – 14 May 2001
Preceded by	Harold Boardman
Succeeded by	Andy Burnham
Personal details
Born	(1929-03-25) 25 March 1929 (age 96) Walkden, Lancashire, England
Party	Labour

Early life

Cunliffe was born in Walkden, Lancashire, in 1929. He was a National Coal Board engineer, and became involved in the National Union of Mineworkers.

Parliamentary career

Cunliffe first stood for Parliament in Rochdale. There, he lost the previously Labour-held seat to the Liberal candidate Cyril Smith at a by-election in 1972, and was again defeated by Smith at the subsequent general election in February 1974.^[2]

He served as a Member of Parliament for Leigh from 1979 until he retired from the House of Commons at the 2001 general election.^[2]