Look Hughes face-to-face with the opposition

FACE off . . . Deputy Liberal Democrat leader Simon Hughes (left) and candidate Elwyn Watkins speak with local resident Sheik Farhad

DEPUTY Liberal Democrat leader Simon Hughes was ambushed by opposition supporters during a meet and greet in Glodwick on Friday.

Mr Hughes was joined by Lib-Dem candidate Elwyn Watkins at the Glodwick Bangladesh Jalalabad Jamia Masjid Mosque, in Orme Street, to meet worshippers after prayers.

But the pair were caught off-guard when some of the mosque-goers started handing out campaign material to other worshippers for Conservative candidate Kashif Ali and Labour candidate Debbie Abrahams after prayers were over.

Mr Hughes answered residents’ questions about key local issues such as education and employment.

He said the by-election was a choice between the Liberal Democrats and Labour, and it was better to have a Lib-Dem MP in power rather than having a Labour MP in opposition.

He added: “If you want someone to help bring jobs to Oldham, Elwyn will do this better than any other candidate.”

Speaking to the Chronicle, he said: “I’m here to tell the young Muslim community we are here to listen and engage with them, I want them to be part of the process.”

Asked whether joining the coalition was a mistake, he said: “It was the right thing to do.

“We’ve had to make some unpopular decisions in the budget and the comprehensive spending review, but in a by-election, people judge on local issues and who will do the best job.”

The event was greeted with mixed reviews by some of the visitors and local residents.

Former Labour voter Mohammed Yousuf (38), of Chadderton, said: “It’s quite a surprise to see Simon Hughes outside the mosque but its good meeting him face to face.”

Law student Farhad Miah (18), from Glodwick, said: “I’m not sure if I’m voting at all in the by-election, all the parties are so similar.”