Oldham (UK Parliament constituency)

The Oldham constituency was where Winston Churchill began his political career.

He held the constituency for the Conservative Party until he defected from them in defence of free trade in 1904.

He then represented the Liberal Party as MP for the seat until the 1906 general election.

Though centred on Oldham (the town), the constituency covered a much broader territory; Shaw and Crompton, Royton, Chadderton and Lees all formed part of this district, though these were each granted individual urban district status at a local government level in 1894.

The political parties had been making preparations for an election to take place and by the Autumn of 1939, the following candidates had been selected;