Now in the early 1980s there were those that believed the formation of the SDP would prove a mould breaking event which would transform British politics.
Extravagant claims were made about the future, and with that in mind the SDP rented out a shop on the corner of Barlow Moor Road and Wilbraham Road in what was a very prominent position for the General Election of 1983.
Some in the Labour Party feared that they might be beaten into third place, while others in the Conservative Party smiled at what they saw as a splitting of the vote on the centre and left of politics.
Here in Chorlton where we had joined the constituency of Manchester Withington, the four candidates, were Fred Silvester who was defending the seat for the Tories, , Francis Done for Labour, Bernard L Lever for the SDP and Michael Gibson who stood as an Independent.
In the event while the Tories were returned there was a swing of 3.4% away from them and Labour achieved 34% of the vote, with the SDP polling 24%.
Four years later the seat was won by Keith Bradley representing Labour, with a swing of 4.8% with third place going to the Liberals.
Location; Chorlton
Picture; the shop, 1983, from the collection of Andrew Simpson
Some in the Labour Party feared that they might be beaten into third place, while others in the Conservative Party smiled at what they saw as a splitting of the vote on the centre and left of politics.
In the event while the Tories were returned there was a swing of 3.4% away from them and Labour achieved 34% of the vote, with the SDP polling 24%.
Four years later the seat was won by Keith Bradley representing Labour, with a swing of 4.8% with third place going to the Liberals.
Location; Chorlton
Picture; the shop, 1983, from the collection of Andrew Simpson
Long before graffiti and escooters blighted the high street.
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