James Forsyth James Forsyth

Woolas loses his appeal

Phil Woolas has lost his appeal against the election court declaring his victory in Oldham East and Saddleworth. As I understand it, Woolas has not exhausted his legal options and could take the whole matter to judicial review. Word is that no decision will be made on a by-election until it is known whether or not Woolas will appeal.
 
Interestingly, Woolas was accompanied to court today by John Healey, the shadow Health minister. Healey is extremely popular with his Labour colleagues, he came second in the shadow Cabinet elections, and his decision to stand by Woolas today is a sign of where the emotional energy in the Parliamentary Labour Party is on this issue.
 
A re-run of the election in Oldham East and Saddleworth would be a test for both Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg. Both parties would expect to win it, Labour because they held it in May and the Lib Dems because of the awful light in which the court case has shown Labour.

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