Christmas by-election as Lib Dems move writ for Oldham
By politics.co.uk staff
The Liberal Democrats are setting the pieces for a Christmas period by-election in Phil Woolas’ former seat of Oldham East and Saddleworth.
The party is moving a writ tomorrow morning – meaning the by-election must take place within 15 to 19 working days as determined by Commons authorities.
The date of January 13th is being mooted in Westminster circles as it is customary for by-elections to be held on Thursdays, but it will be decided formally by the returning officer for the constituency.
The convoluted parliamentary rules for the process mean that bank holidays are not included in the intermediary period, meaning the date of the 13th would fall within the allowed timescale.
It means the hotly anticipated clash in disgraced former MP Mr Woolas’ old seat will go ahead far sooner than many had expected.
The by-election will be the first real test of how the coalition partners will conduct themselves in elections to Westminster.
Liberal Democrat Elwyn Watkins, who brought the legal action which stripped the former Labour immigration minister of the seat, was defeated in May by a mere 103 votes.
The party will be acutely aware that electoral dynamics in the country have changed dramatically since then, however.
It remains to be seen how the saga surrounding Mr Woolas will impact on the chances of his successor Debbie Abrahams.
The Conservatives also mounted an unexpectedly strong challenge for the seat in May, leading analysts to believe the upcoming by-election may be a three-way fight. Labour remains the favourite, however.
