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Is it all over for the Lib Dems in Oldham?

Paddy Power says the Lib Dems winning in Oldham is “as unlikely as Manchester United finishing botto

By George Eaton Published 05 January 2011 14:26

With no polling carried out on the Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election, arguably the best guide to the result comes from the bookies. Paddy Power, which has Labour on 1/6 to hold the seat, has made this amusing prediction:

What Nick Clegg believes about his party's chance of winning Oldham East contradicts all recent betting patterns. Victory for the Lib Dems in Oldham is now as unlikely as Manchester United finishing at the bottom of this year's Premier League with Roy Keane in charge!

As I suggested earlier, Clegg may well regret describing the by-election as a "two-horse race" between the Lib Dems and Labour if his party is pushed into third place. The heckler who today told Clegg, "'I'm disgusted by the way you stabbed my generation in the back" is unlikely to be alone.

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Tags: Nick Clegg

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11 comments

Thu, 2011-01-06 14:58 — Union Steve

Remember Mr Pledge's pledge?

Thu, 2011-01-06 17:18 — Reginald-Fah-fah

the Lib Dems have came out fighting from their corner, with Nick Clegg doing a meet and greet in Oldham!

Us Tories are being friendly with the Lib Dems but the battle is still on!!!

Vote for the Conservative Party in the Sattleworth and Oldham by-election!!! He's a totally good upright chap!!!!

Our Marvellous Prime Minister, David Cameron is visiting the constituency, to support the By-election!

Fantastic,First PM in years to take part in a By-Election!

Wed, 2011-01-05 14:37 — Mel Davis (not verified)

Nick Clegg=Sellout.

Wed, 2011-01-05 14:42 — ang (not verified)

Well said, that heckler. Go home Nick, you may get stabbed in the back, metaphorically speaking of course.

Wed, 2011-01-05 15:02 — Pre Madonna (not verified)

A serious by-election defeat could put the pressure on Clegg to resign. The bulk of the LibDem party is made up of councillors and those who want to be councillors. Electoral annihilation in May may be much harder to stomach than students fees, VAT rises and maintaining control orders. His resignation may also be necessary to secure success in the AV referendum.

Chris Huhne will be very glad that he was in Cancun for the Tuition fees vote if a new leader is required suddenly.

Wed, 2011-01-05 15:26 — elrob

Mel
Clegg is no sell out. He is an Orange Book liberal. Neoliberal is his credo, and everyone was well warned in advance. I considered switching to the LibDems after not even voting in 2005. And then they chose him as their leader. I was repelled. Three neoliberal parties - truly, the End of History. Only for the neoliberal show then to implode so spectacularly in 2008. What a mess that we have the Neloiberal alliance in power following that.

Why did the LibDems vote for him as leader? A voice on the Left was open for them to take. They dismissed it. And I dismiss them.

Wed, 2011-01-05 15:31 — swatantra

Not until the fat lady sings.
It was a 3 way fight, but Dave decided to give the Lib Dems a helping hand. Wonder if stauvch Tory supporters have yt received their instructions from Central Office to hold their noses and Vote for Nick?
Just to get him off the hook.
This case sets a precedent; it could mean that in future Lib dems will have to be a bit more careulabout the lies they put in the eection leaflets for fear of being taken to the cleaners.

Wed, 2011-01-05 16:04 — david (not verified)

Old&Sad. will be what Nick Clegg will feel when the result is announced. If the Tories come second, there will be plenty of Tories who will blame the leaderships lack of support for them not winning, thats when the sparks will fly.

Wed, 2011-01-05 17:14 — Mark Riley (not verified)

Good article but non-story
Why Oldham East is in a meaningless parallel universe:
http://www.thecoalitiontimes.com/

Wed, 2011-01-05 17:35 — Manzil

That may be, Mark - but any opportunity to give Nick Clegg and his band of merry bastards a good kicking, is going to be taken up by all decent people.

Thu, 2011-01-06 00:03 — kenny jenkins

@ Mark Riley
Oldham East isn't in a meaningless parallel universe. It's a normal constituency, pretty representative of the country as a whole. Like most of the country, its people's views will have very little impact on the government but that doesn't make them meaningless.