Advertisement
Race to the finish
Reporter: Richard Hooton
Date online: 06 January 2011
Election 2011
It’s between the two of us — Clegg
LIB-Dem leader Nick Clegg dismissed his own coalition partner’s chances in the Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election — calling it a two-horse race.
On his second campaign visit to Oldham, the Deputy Prime Minister said it was between his candidate Elwyn Watkins and Labour’s Debbie Abrahams on January 13, despite Tory Kashif Ali losing May’s election by only around 2,400 votes.
Mr Clegg said: “Everyone knows that this is a two-way contest between the Lib-Dems and Labour. The gap between us at the election was only 103 votes.”
But he added: “There are no deals at all. I want all the parties in this election, like any other, to fight their corner. The voters are in charge and we shouldn’t speculate before they have had their say.”
Mr Clegg visited Asda in Shaw with Mr Watkins where he was greeted by cheering Lib-Dem activists.
However, not all were pleased to greet him.
Student protester Jennifer Leah (20) from Stalybridge, campaigning against university fees tripling, was bundled aside as she tried to make her point to Mr Clegg
Mr Clegg insisted that people accepted that the Lib-Dems were having to take difficult decisions in difficult times to sort out the financial mess left by Labour, whose plans to tackle the debt were nothing more “than a blank piece of paper.”
Mr Clegg said Mr Watkins would be the “tough, strong, straight-talking local MP” people want in tough times “after an outrageous abuse by the last MP.”
He added: “Elwyn would be the best MP the constituency has ever had.”
University Campus Oldham politics lecturer Dr Pete Woodcock didn’t agree with Mr Clegg’s comments that the by-election is a two-horse race.
He said: “If you look at the election results from last time, I do not think that is the case.”
Comments
Yet again the Fib Dems are down the shops! No wonder you never see them out canvassing! Elwyn Watkins kitchen cupboards must be absolutely stuffed full of things he's bought on daily shopping trips every time a grandee visits!
You don;t come round & talk to me you don't get my vote although I'm sure Asda would but I guess no ones told you that businesses don't have a vote!
hmmm thats funny? since when has shaw been in the oldham east and saddleworth constituency?
bit like vince cables visit here to middleton to support watkins electoral campaign.
both still miles out. rather like their policies are now.
You are a fine one to talk about outrageous abuse Nick.
You who will say anything to get your snout in the trough.
'Cleggie' and his boss 'Poshboy Dave' are both playing games. The two of them want conservative voters to vote Liberal, though they'll deny it. Neither of them have any principles except their own political survival and holding on to the trappings of power and prestige
Kashif Ali is being served up as a sacrificial lamb in the interests of the collaboration government. Even today's Times, not known for being a Liberal Democrat newspaper, is calling on local tory voters to support the Liberals.
Clegg claims “Elwyn would be the best MP the constituency has ever had.”
Does he know there has only been one so far, the seat having been established in 1997?
So the answer is: Just bundle any protesters to one side...LibDems Bully Boy tactics
Shaw Asda again Nick? Why not meet the rest of us? "Everybody knows.....it's a 2 way contest". Wrong again. You are SO out of touch.
Just hope the voters don't put Labour back in after they dropped us in this Great Big Mess in the first place !
Mr Clegg that is right out of order what you say about Mr Woolas giving abusie to Watkins. You should say sorry for that, if it had been said about Watkins it would have finished up in court. You are a disgrace to the name of Deputy Prime Minister. that is nthe way Cameron talks but it will not do you any good. Watkins has no chance.
Can Nick Clegg explain why the Lib Dems are now on 7% in the latest national opinion poll, which is their lowest level for 20 years?
Sorry fedup, but Shaw is in the Oldham East ward. Maps seem difficult to find but there are a few.
The Fib Dems will do anything to gain power FACT!! Elwyn Watkins put us through how may recounts? not satisfied with that he tried another tactic that worked, what if it hadn't worked maybe he had something else up his sleeve? As for Nick Clegg well enough said, i am gonna vote Labour just to keep those guys out because it is between the two parties, people also forget what a good MP Phil Woolas actually was for this area, Birks Quarry ring any bells?
cheers flake. yes i finially found a map that indicated shaw was in the ward. i though it had been separated when the reorganised the old saddleworth and littleborough district.
note to Saddleworth's Finest, woolas was not good for the area. he provided nothing at all. he only jumped on the birks quarry bandwagon after it was practically won.
and that was impeccable timing when he did. the general election had just been called.
if he was so good, what else did he do for the area? go on?
Have Your Say
If Mr. Clegg wants to talk racing he should look at the odds being offered. Labour at 1/4 on and Lib/Dems 6/1 against. Clegg knows it's a lost cause and will be glad to get back to London where he can carry on playing lap-dog to his Tory boss.
By CommitteeMan @ 06/01/2011 15:35:57