1961 Manchester Moss Side by-election
# 1961 Manchester Moss Side by-election

The Manchester Moss Side by-election of 7 November 1961 was held after the death of Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) James Watts on 7 July that year. The seat was retained by the Conservatives.

## Candidates

The local Liberals selected 37-year-old solicitor Ruslyn Hargreaves. He was born in August 1923 and educated at William Hulme's Grammar School and Manchester University. He was formerly secretary of the National League of Young Liberals. He had been Liberal candidate for Howden at the 1959 general election. Max Mosley was an election agent for the Union Movement.

## Results

Manchester Moss Side, 1961 :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Frank Taylor | 9,533 | 41.1 | −21.2 |
| | Liberal | Ruslyn Hargreaves | 6,447 | 27.8 | New |
| | Labour | Gordon Oakes | 5,980 | 25.8 | −11.9 |
| | Union Movement | Walter Hesketh | 1,212 | 5.2 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,228 | 12.9 | -11.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 23,172 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
