Debbie takes her seat in the Commons
Date published: 19 January 2011
Oldham’s new MP took her seat in the Commons last night — while Nick Clegg left people questioning if failed Lib-Dem candidate Elwyn Watkins could be elevated to the Lords.
Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams was greeted with cheers from fellow Labour MPs and flanked by campaign organiser Hartlepool MP Iain Wright and Denton and Reddish MP Andrew Gwynne as she made her debut.
She signed the roll after affirming allegiance to the Queen and is now free to make her first speech in the Commons during a debate of her choice.
Mrs Abrahams won the seat held by Labour since 1997 with a 3,358 majority, beating Lib-Dem candidate Elwyn Watkins, who polled 11,160. Mr Watkins successfully mounted a legal challenge against the former MP Phil Woolas claiming Mr Woolas had lied about him during last year’s General Election campaign.
Mr Watkins was himself subject of conversation in the Commons yesterday after Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg was asked whether he had considered Mr Watkins for a peerage.
Mr Clegg replied: “I haven’t lent it any thought so far.”
