It’s showtime!

Politicians and the media bandwagon go into campaign overdrive
THE eyes of the nation were on Oldham at the weekend as a string of political heavyweights made their 11th-hour bid to win votes before Thursday’s crucial by-election.

The Oldham Evening Chronicle was joined by scores of regional and national journalists with TV crews, radio and photographers eager for a political scoop.

Saddleworth was a hive of activity on Saturday when Foreign Secretary William Hague went to Uppermill to meet supporters and deliver campaign leaflets.

Mr Hague told the crowd of reporters in front of Uppermill Methodist Church that it was time Oldham had a Conservative MP.

He said: “It’s a three-horse race, you only have to look at the result of the last election to see that.

“Kashif Ali has done really well and we can absolutely win.”

The afternoon brought Labour party leader Ed Miliband to High Crompton, his third visit to Oldham, where he joined candidate Debbie Abrahams for a face-to-face chat with disillusioned student Jordan.

Lib-Dem Chris Huhne, the energy and climate change minister, predicted a close win for candidate Elwyn Watkins when he took a tour of Oldham Sports Centre in a bid to boost votes.

And on Sunday, Labour’s Caroline Flint, shadow secretary for communities and local government, pounded the streets of Derker with female MPs and volunteers.

The weekend’s national newspapers were filled with political commentary and predictions, with polls in most predicting a Labour win with Debbie Abrahams set to the hold the Oldham East and Saddleworth seat for her party and make history as Oldham’s first female MP.