Advertisement
Elwyn: no shame
Date published: 14 January 2011
ELWYN Watkins said that he had stood up for what he believed in after failing to win the historic by-election that he triggered.
And he is yet to decide if he will continue to live in Delph which he described as a fantasy village.
Mr Watkins saw the Liberal Democrat poll fall by nearly 3,000 from the General Election which he lost by just 103 votes.
Swamped by media he said: “I always said that if you stand up for what’s right in a democracy there’s no shame in losing.
“I fought this not because I necessarily wanted to win, but because what happened last May was dreadful.
“We fought hard. Our vote share has actually gone up but it was not enough to catch up with Labour.”
He added: “I took the legal challenge up because I always said I would rather fight and lose than walk away and I was vindicated. I never expected to win that.”
Asked if the Coalition Government’s austerity measurers had hit the Lib Dem vote, he said it was very easy for the opposition to oppose “everything nasty”.
“We are in a very difficult financial situation with the economy. We inherited an economy which is bust. We have actually got to sort out this mess and it involves some very unpopular things,” he explained.
“We are making some very tough decisions. I make no apologies for that.”
He conceded that voters had sent a message that spending cuts were unpopular but added: “That’s not a surprise. When we get the economy sorted out, when we get growth, when we get people back in jobs, I think the reaction will be different.”
Commenting on the BNP, Mr Watkins said: “They were absolutely trounced tonight. I think that is a credit to the people of Oldham East and Saddleworth who do not want the politics of hatred.”
But he has not decided if he will continue to live in Delph and added: “I love Delph. I call it the fantasy village. I love the whole area, the hills.
“I shall obviously be sitting down and having a think about what’s going to happen in the future.”
Results and candidate details - click here
Comments
So he lost and is now considering quitting the area? Does he want his leaflets back that I filled my recycling bin with?
Just how much has Watkins cost us taxpayers for this pointless rerun of the election. Labour still hold the seat but we have had all the expense of running the by-election. "No shame" Watkins should be ashamed of the waste he has caused.
"Delph a fantasy village " hahaha your not wrong there elwyn, you need to knock on doors in other areas instead of posting leaflets.
you say you love delph, wonder how long it is before you move out of the place? but apart from that you have had your butt kicked good style,lib-dems a party of promise breakers, will you learn anything from this by-election? i dont think so..
Goodbye Elwyn, congratulations on your hollow victory I hope it was worth it. The voters have given their verdict on you twice now, hopefully you won't consult your lawyers again to overturn this result.
Do I now expect LibDem leaflets saying "El-lose losing here"?
Bye Bye loser!
Got the message now MR Watkins ? ......now go away !
Well Elwyn, that is what happens when you SELL the kids out!!!!!!!!!!!!
Of course Elwyn will be moving from his present address in Delph, he only took a short term let to cover the General Election in Msay then extended it to cover the court case hearings. Delph - A fantasy village ? More like Elwyn thinks he was living on Fantasy Island. Delphers consider people to be comers in unless they have lived in the village for at least 20 years - not less than 12 months. There is a vacancy for a Lib/Dem candidate in Rochdale- go back there Elwyn. PLEASE !!!
Never mind Elwyn I understand the Lib Dems may be offering you an 'ermine parachute' and a seat in the House of Lords - I assume for services to the printing & paper recycling industries.
Some cheek from LibDems to talk about standing up for what you believe in!
Well-done Elwyn and we are proud of you. Hope you come back for another election so that we can beat them lier Labour. Good luck for future...
There was no way you was going to win that election, after you changed your views after you had said one thing. You cannot treat Saddleworth people like that, I would leave Delph and return to your own Rochdale you will not be missed. You brought this election on which has shown you up big time. Good Bye Mr Watkins.
If the LibDems learn anything from this election it will be that harrassing the electorate with excessive leafleting and cold-calling gets you nowhere!
Mr Watkins please go away for good,the public have rejected you twice now ...please get the message that you are just not wanted as a representative of the people.Youv'e been found out unfortunatley for you it's been in the national press so hopefully you won't be able to ply your sleazy trade in another constituancy.Good bye Mr Watkins
No one likes a bad loser.
The Lib Dems are a waste of vote, always have been & always will be they will never in a million years get inside number 10, why people waste their time voting them is beyond me it's a 2 horse race.
Have Your Say
Hopefully, Elwyn Watkins has finally got the message that the good people of Oldham East and Saddleworth don't want him as their MP. Maybe the Lib Dem loser will now return home to Rochdale, taking his sour grapes with him.
By The Watcher @ 14/01/2011 16:26:19