Quite frankly it's prop estrous to compare Manchester to Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool etc, they are in the wrong location, they do not have the transport links and in some instances are limited by both demand and indeed capacity.Based on major populations centres then yes for "half the country" Manchester is much more convenient.
I don't disagree. If the plan was for a Northern / Midlands superhub, I'd recommend MAN too. There isn't, so it's a moot point.
The point of my post was to highlight how you seem to flit between moaning that the UK regions "suffer" because of airlines focussing on one place (i.e London) and then advocating that, er....wouldn't it be great if airlines focussed all their efforts in one place (i..e Manchester). You've written chapter and verse on how BA have stopped MAN reaching it's full potential, but seem quite happy for lots of other airports not to reach their own potential just so MAN can benefit.