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LIB-DEM: Elwyn Watkins.

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Festive campaign as Lib-Dems call by-election for January 13
CAMPAIGNING was already under way today as the Liberal Democrats were set to move the writ to trigger a by-election in Oldham East and Saddleworth on January 13.

Labour leader Ed Miliband was visiting the constituency today as the party bids to hold on to the seat won by former MP Phil Woolas in May.

He was stripped of his seat by a specially convened election court which found him found guilty of deliberately lying about Lib-Dem rival Elwyn Watkins in his election leaflets. The decision was upheld in an appeal.

There are five confirmed candidates for the by-election: Debbie Abrahams (Labour), Elwyn Watkins (Liberal Democrat), Kashif Ali (Conservative), Paul Nuttall (UKIP) and Peter Allen (Green).

Lib-Dem Vince Cable, the coalition Government’s Business Secretary, is also expected to visit Oldham today.

The move by the Lib-Dems to lay the writ goes against parliamentary convention. Usually it is left to the party which last held the seat to decide when the by- election should be held.

Labour were set to move the writ on January 10 when MPs came back from Christmas, which would have meant a February 3 by election.

A Lib-Dem spokesperson said: “The people of Oldham East and Saddleworth have been denied representation for far too long. It is important that they have a proper voice in Parliament for their concerns as soon as possible.”

Labour said it will accept the earlier date and not contest the writ.

A spokesman said: “Labour’s initial preference was to have a full campaign allowing the voters of Oldham East and Saddleworth the opportunity to engage fully with the debate.

“We regret the Lib-Dems’ party-political decision to break with convention, but will not oppose the writ today.”

Labour candidate Debbie Abrahams said: “I can’t wait until polling day when the people of Oldham East and Saddleworth will get their chance to send a clear message to the Lib Dem-Tory Government.”

Lib-Dem candidate Elwyn Watkins said: “The people of Oldham East and Saddleworth have been without parliamentary representation since the election court decision and without legitimate representation since May 5.

“It is in their interests that they have the opportunity to elect a new MP as soon as possible. With just 103 votes separating myself and Labour this should be a close contest. I’m looking forward to it.”

Oldham West and Royton MP Michael Meacher said: “No one wants a politician knocking on their door over Christmas and therefore it is only really a week of proper campaigning and debate from the first week in January.

“The convention has always been the incumbent party has a right to call the election and we would have chosen February 3 as it gives more time for debate. By holding a January 13 election it stifles debate.

“We have an excellent candidate in Debbie Abrahams and we intend to go all out to win this by election.

“Clearly the threatening cloud of spending cuts and loss of jobs will play a part in the election. People are worried what the Tory-Lib Dem coalition are doing.

“This election will be a test of Lib Dem promises and a test on Tory cuts.”

The by election will be a massive test for the coalition and the first time to gauge public opinion on the massive spending cuts being made and the controversial decision over tuition fees.

In the Commons yesterday, Labour MP Chris Ruane accused the- Lib Dems of a “cynical attempt” to avoid proper scrutiny by having the campaign take place over Christmas.

But Prime Minister David Cameron, who is also expected to visit the constituency during the campaign, said it was Labour that was “running scared” by wanting to delay the by-election.