Lawrence Francis Cunliffe (25 March 1929 âÂÂà7 February 2025) was a British Labour Party politician. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Leigh from 1979 to 2001.
Cunliffe was born in Walkden, Lancashire on 25 March 1929. He was a National Coal Board engineer, and became involved in the National Union of Mineworkers.
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.
He served as a Member of Parliament for Leigh from 1979 until he retired from the House of Commons at the 2001 general election.
Cunliffe died on 7 February 2025, at the age of 95.