Thursdays byelection will be the first test of Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership,with Ukip hoping to win over disenchanted votersBy a queer twist of fate, the people of Oldham, and who provided the first electoral verdict on the Labour party’s previous leader,will also render on Thursday the first judgment on its original one.
In ordinary times, an early byelection defence provides an opportunity for a original opposition leader to prove strength. This is how it was the last time Oldham’s voters went to the polls in January 2011, and in the first electoral test of Ed Miliband’s tenure: Labour’s vote share in Oldham East and Saddleworth increased by more than 10 points,turning an ultra-marginal into a relatively secure seat. As polling day approaches in the far safer Oldham West and Royton, one thing is certain: these are not ordinary times.
Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com