| Elwyn Watkins | |
|---|---|
| Liberal Democrats candidate for Oldham East and Saddleworth |
|
| Election date 13 January 2011 |
|
| Opponent(s) |
See list
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 29 October 1963 Rochdale, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom |
| Political party | Liberal Democrats |
| Residence | Delph, Greater Manchester[1] |
| Alma mater | London School of Economics[1] |
| Website | http://elwynwatkins.co.uk/ |
Robert Elwyn James Watkins, born in Rochdale, is a British Liberal Democrat politician. He narrowly lost to Labour Party candidate Phil Woolas for the Oldham East and Saddleworth seat in the 2010 general election, but the result was overturned by an election court,[2] which found that Woolas had knowingly lied about Watkins' personal character. Watkins had stood down as a councillor representing Healey Ward on Rochdale Council in order to contest the general election.[3] He was selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for the constituency in late 2007.[4]
In 2008, during his time as a Rochdale councillor, Watkins said he was planning to seek legal advice after Phil Woolas' election agent suggested he had "abandoned his constituents and moved to the Middle East to work for a multi-billionaire sheikh".[5]
Watkins received significant media coverage in November 2010[6] after his petition against the return of Phil Woolas resulted in the general election result being declared void.[7] Woolas was disqualified from holding elected office for three years.[2] He failed to get the decision overturned[8] and so a by-election for the Oldham East and Saddleworth seat was called which was won by Labour's Debbie Abrahams.[9]
Before the judgement, Watkins had said he would quit politics if his petition against the general election result was unsuccessful.[10] Watkins has indicated that he may consider further legal action against members of Phil Woolas' campaign team.[11]