attempt to claw back some of the traffic that is currently using Emirates (at BHX, GLA and MAN), Singapore Airlines (MAN) and Malaysian Airlines (MAN) to fly to Australia by avoiding the hellhole known as LHR.

Bad form to quote yourself but the CAA has published results of a survey which indicates that over 180,000 passengers flew MAN-Australia via anywhere else but LHR in 2003; sample size of the survey is not known unfortunately but it does state 90,000 passenger originated in the North West. Of interest was:
MAN-DXB-Australia = 44,000 pax (about 24% of the total MAN-DXB total)
MAN-KUL-Australia = 45,000 pax
MAN-SIN-Australia = 81,000 pax

I’m sure with there ONEworld partners they cover all points within europe?

The MAN-London-Australia market was estimated to be around 44,000 passengers i.e. only 1/5th the total market flying from MAN to Australia, so it looks like people are voting with their feet and avoiding the oneworld connection!

David