It was done on a country and territory basis.
If it was just done on population and economics, it would only ever be English towns winning it because there are far, far more people in England.
Wrexham was the largest remaining town in Wales, Dunfermline was the largest remaining town in Scotland, Bangor was the largest remaining town in Northern Ireland.
Douglas was the only place from the Crown Dependencies to apply, but is the largest town and capital of the Isle of Man.
Stanley is a bit different because Gibraltar also applied and I'd sooner they'd have won.
It was only ever going to be 3 English towns that were chosen, we did not miss out because Bangor was picked.