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Ashton-under-Lyne, United Kingdom parliamentary constituency in north-western England, bordered by Oldham West and Royton, Oldham East and Saddleworth, Stalybridge and Hyde, Denton and Reddish, Manchester Central, and Manchester Blackley constituencies. The constituency covers an urban area of Greater Manchester to the east of the city centre. Ashton-under-Lyne was once a significant centre for the textile industry. However, this industry has declined in importance in the area; manual labour still employs most of the electorate of 72,206. The seat has traditionally been held to be a safe one for the Labour Party. The sitting Member of Parliament, Robert Sheldon, first won the seat in 1964, making him one of the most senior Labour members. He was Financial Secretary to the Treasury from 1974 to 1979. At the 1997 general election he gained a majority of 22,965.
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