As you may have heard on the news, High Court judges have dismissed the appeal by former Labour MP, Phil Woolas, against his conviction for illegal practices in the General Election.
There will now be a by-election in Oldham East and Saddleworth with a likely polling day of January 13th.
Last May, Elwyn Watkins lost by just 103 votes because of the lies told by Phil Woolas that have been condemned by the Court. A couple of days ago I canvassed one couple who told me: “We we’re going to vote Liberal Democrat, but when we read what Labour were saying about your candidate we changed our vote to the Conservatives. We know now that we were deceived, and we are angry about it.”
Make no mistake, this by-election will be one of the most important we have ever faced. We must send out a clear signal about the need to clean up politics. But we must also send a message to every newspaper and broadcaster that the Liberal Democrats remain a powerful electoral force despite the challenges of our role in Government.
Elwyn has already got off to a great start. We have knocked on 10,000 doors in the past month and I can tell you that the response has been very positive. The contest in May was one of the closest in the country, and it will be close again, but if we get the help needed we will win.
Please come to Oldham East and Saddleworth this weekend. Bring a carload of people if you can. We want to knock on every door in Oldham East and Saddleworth and talk to the voters. You will be a vital part of making that happen.
For details of how to get to our Greenfield HQ please visit www.elwynwatkins.co.uk or call 01457 810993.
Thanks in advance for everything you are about to do for this by-election!
P.S. The by-election campaign that sent me to Parliament took place during a hot and sunny summer. We’ve still got the sun and the roads are clear!
Chris Davies MEP was MP for Littleborough and Saddleworth 1995-1997, defeating Phil Woolas in the 1995 by-election.
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9 Comments
I know many LibDem activists who refuse to help the campaign. Many supporting Andrew Hickey’s point of view http://andrewhickey.info/2010/11/25/why-i-will-not-be-helping-in-the-old-sad-by-election/
And many supporting Colin Ross’ view, the fact that Watkins, after signing the NUS pledge has now said he would vote for the coalition policy.
To all those that do assist, good luck, it will be very much needed.
As above
I know of many many more people who are coming/have come to help, in fact I have waved some off through the door with canvass packs and/or leaflets in hand this morning.
It’s a great atmosphere here and Elwyn will make a great MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth!
It is intriguing that Labour have set up their campaign HQ in Grange Avenue, Werneth, which is some way outside the OE&S constituency.
I’m planning on heading to Oldham tomorrow to do my bit to get Elwyn elected.
“in fact I have waved some off through the door with canvass packs and/or leaflets in hand this morning.”
Just as a matter of curiosity, have any of them come back?
I am amongsth those who cannot get down to Oldam But there are otther ways I can help – including telephone canvassing so intend to do my bit that way I urge others to do likewise
‘Elwyn Watkins was quoted in multiple sources as saying, publicly, that he would ‘rip up’ the Geneva Convention and the European Convention On Human Rights. According to these sources, he actually managed to attack the odious, race-baiting Phil Woolas *from the authoritarian right* on the issue of immigration.’
who on earth would vote for this guy except perhaps the Tories? Of course the Lib dems are now in bed with the Tories and slavishly putting in place their right wing manifesto
Who’s more honest – Phil Woolas or the Liberal Democrats? I’d go for Phil Woolas any day.