Manuel only had an elementary school education, but later in life went to classes through the National Council of Labour. He worked on the railways as an engine driver, and was a member of ASLEF.
He lived in Ardrossan where he joined the Labour Party in 1927. He became a member of the Town Council, and was later elected to Ayrshire County Council. He was appointed to the Western Regional Hospital Board and to the Ayrshire Executive Council of the National Health Service.
In the 1950 general election Manuel was elected to Parliament for Central Ayrshire. He was re-elected in 1951 but lost the seat in 1955. Persisting despite this rejection, he was re-elected in 1959 when Scotland swung to Labour. Manuel retired in 1970. He died in Birkenhead aged 75.
References
M. Stenton and S. Lees, "Who's Who of British MPs", Vol. IV (Harvester Press, 1981).