Prior to its uniform adoption of proportional representation in 1999, the United Kingdom used first-past-the-post for the European elections in England, Scotland and Wales. The European Parliament constituencies used under that system were smaller than the later regional constituencies and only had one Member of the European Parliament each.

The constituency of Cheshire East was one of them.

From 1979 to 1984, it consisted of the Westminster Parliament constituencies of Crewe, Hazel Grove, Knutsford, Macclesfield, Newton, Runcorn, and Warrington.

From 1984 to 1994, it consisted of Congleton, Crewe and Nantwich, Macclesfield, Staffordshire Moorlands, Tatton, Warrington North, and Warrington South.

From 1994 to 1999, it consisted of Altrincham and Sale, Halton, Macclesfield, Manchester Wythenshawe, Tatton, Warrington North, and Warrington South.^[1]