Tories up for by-election fight

The Conservatives will fight any by-election in Oldham as if it had happened before the coalition was formed, David Cameron has said.

The Prime Minister said the party would not take a back seat amid suggestions the Tories could fight a soft campaign so not to embarrass the Lib-Dems who have hit an all-time low in the opinion polls.

Whether a by-election will happen in Oldham East and Saddleworth is yet unknown.

Former MP Phil Woolas was stripped of his seat earlier this month after a specially convened election court found he knowingly lied about his Lib-Dem opponent Elwyn Watkins on leaflets — an allegation denied by Mr Woolas.

An appeal has now been made and the judgement is expected within the coming days.

Speaking at a Westminster lunch, Mr Cameron said: “I fought for an overall majority and I wanted an overall majority.

“However, when you are trying to do difficult things, which this government has to do because of the inheritance, it is helpful having a majority of 80 and having coalition partners you are working with together. We will fight by-elections independently and looking at some of the Lib-Dem leaflets in Littleborough and Saddleworth nothing much has changed.

“I am sure we will fight as separate parties, but I hope we will be more polite about each other.”