Woolas to learn his fate

Photo: Picture: DARREN ROBINSON

Helping hand . . . MP Tim Farron (left) in Saddleworth with Elwyn Watkins.

PROSPECTIVE candidates for the anticipated Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election have stepped up their campaigns as an appeal ruling to decide the fate of former Labour MP Phil Woolas starts today.

Just hours before a judicial review brought by Woolas gets under way, opposing parties laid down their intentions of battling to win the marginal seat.

Newly-elected President of the Liberal Democrat party, Tim Farron MP, was in Uppermill yesterday to bolster Elwyn Watkins’s campaign, with supporters predicting a polling date as early as December 16 should the former Immigration Minister’s appeal fail.

After speaking with local shopkeepers, Mr Farron said: “The first parliamentary by-election is always going to be a test but I think it will help all of us come to terms with the coalition.

“We never take anything for granted, it’s not going to be a shoe-in — 103 votes behind is still second place.

“Mr Woolas is not the first to have acted utterly dishonourably but he is the first to be caught out. You can’t underestimate the independent mindedness of locals and this is hugely important for Oldham East and Saddleworth. I’m hoping for a robust campaign involving respect.”

Other parties have also declared an interest including North-West Euro MP Paul Nuttall (pictured right), representing the UK Independence Party (UKIP).

Appointed as the party’s deputy leader earlier this month, Mr Nuttall has represented Oldham in Europe since 2009, but has said he would be willing to give up his Euro seat should he be elected.

He said: “It is clear now that many people no longer trust the old three failed parties and are looking for an alternative, and I am confident that they will demonstrate their desire for change by voting for UKIP.

“We understand the concerns of people in the constituency about day to day matters, including proposed school mergers, and I welcome the chance to represent them in Westminster.”

Rumours that the National Union of Students is also considering putting a candidate up for the by-election are circling, although the association refused to confirm this.

President of the National Union of Students (NUS) Aaron Porter said: “NUS is still considering how best the issue of tuition fees and education cuts can be raised if there is a by-election in Oldham East and Saddleworth.

“We will be calling on all candidates to pledge to vote against any increase in the cap on tuition fees.

“Students and their families are an important electoral constituency and any candidate who wants to win public support must have the trust of those voters.”

Meanwhile, the Conservatives have dismissed claims they would take a back seat and allow the Lib-Dems to actively campaign if a by-election were called.

The review application brought by Mr Woolas is expected to last one-and-half days.

Mr Woolas could learn whether or not the election court verdict is to be overturned as early as tomorrow after the application was fast-tracked to ensure the constituency does not remain without an MP for too long.