Huyton (UK Parliament constituency)

Huyton was a county constituency in the United Kingdom. Created in 1950, it was centred on Huyton in Lancashire (later Merseyside), North West England, just beyond the borders of the city of Liverpool. Its one and only Member of Parliament throughout its existence was Labour MP Harold Wilson, who became Labour Party leader in 1963, then serving as prime minister from 1964 to 1970 and again from 1974 to 1976.

The constituency ceased to exist with the implementation of the 1983 boundary changes and was replaced by Knowsley South. This coincided with Wilson's retirement from parliament.

The Liberals first ran a candidate in the constituency on its creation in 1950, but did not run one again until 24 years later in 1974, by which time Harold Wilson had become Leader of the Labour Party and served two terms as Prime Minister. The party finished in third place in all the elections it contested in this seat.

Boundaries

1950-1974: The Urban Districts of Huyton-with-Roby and Prescot, and in the Rural District of Whiston the civil parishes of Eccleston, Kirkby, Knowsley, and Windle.

Huyton

Coordinates: 53°24′36″N 2°50′35″W / 53.41°N 2.843°W / 53.41; -2.843

Huyton (/ˈhaɪtən/ HY-tən) is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley, in Merseyside, England.

It is part of the Liverpool Urban Area sharing borders with the Liverpool suburbs of Dovecot, Knotty Ash, Belle Vale and has close associations with its neighbour the village of Roby, both were formerly part of the Huyton with Roby Urban District between 1894 and 1974.

Historically in Lancashire, Huyton was an ancient parish which, in the mid-19th century, contained Croxteth Park, Knowsley and Tarbock, in addition to the township of Huyton-with-Roby. It was part of West Derby (hundred), an ancient subdivision of Lancashire, covering the south-west of the county.

History

Medieval

Huyton was first settled about 600-650 AD by Angles. The settlement was founded on a low hill surrounded by inaccessible marshy land. The name Huyton gives a clue as to its origins. The first part of the name may suggest a landing-place, probably on the banks of the River Alt. (The area of land now known as Huyton Wetlands . is the source of the River).