First Lady!
Reporter: Richard Hooton
Date published: 14 January 2011
A jubilant Debbie Abrahams is named Oldham’s first woman MP
Oldham’s first woman MP in Labour landslide
LABOUR’S Debbie Abrahams made history by becoming Oldham’s first ever female MP as the Tory vote collapsed.
The national spotlight fell on Oldham as the biggest by-election for years saw Mrs Abrahams romp to victory by more than 3,500 votes in a 1.47am announcement over Lib-Dem Elwyn Watkins as Labour emerged undamaged by the Phil Woolas scandal.
On a crushing night for the Conservatives their vote was down by more than 7,000 votes as they limped into third place amid claims their supporters voted tactically in favour of the Lib-Dems.
UKIP snatched fourth place on a miserable night for the BNP whose share of the vote was nearly halved.
The first poll since the coalition Government was formed was seen as both a referendum on the Tory/Lib-Dem partnership and Ed Miliband’s leadership — giving the new Labour leader a major boost.
In her victory speech, Mrs Abrahams said: “The voters have spoken for the country.”
