User:Littleboroughmatt/Elwyn Watkins

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Elwyn Watkins

Robert Elwyn James Watkins (born X MONTH YEAR) is a British businessman and Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for the constituency of Oldham East and Saddleworth.

Early life, education and business career

Born and bred in Rochdale, Lancashire, Elwyn Watkins was educated at local schools before going to the London School of Economics where he was elected General Secretary of the Students Union. Post University he led the project team that set up one of the first European online business information systems. After obtaining a double distinction MBA at Bradford University he has spent most of his career in the Middle East.

Political career

Upon returning to Rochdale, he served as a local Councillor on Rochdale MBC for Healey ward from 2004 to 2010.

General Election 2010 and election court case 2010

Woolas came under criticism for the way he fought his election campaign in 2010. One of the allegations made was of "inflaming racial tensions" in an area already known for race riots.[19] Trevor Phillips, head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission and former Labour politician, described some of the language used in the party’s leaflets as “not helpful.”[20]  Woolas's leaflets are available to read online, and have attracted some national comment.[21]

Woolas's tactics were successful, and he was returned to parliament with a majority of 103 votes - down from 3,590.[22]

However, on Friday 28 May 2010, Woolas's opponent, Elwyn Watkins, issued a legal challenge on the result.[23][24] The challenge is under the Respresentation of the People Act 1983, the same leglislation that saw Labour councillor Miranda Grell disqualified for incorrectly accusing her opponent of paedophilia.

Watkins has claimed that Woolas falsely portrayed him as taking "illegal" foreign donations. Woolas' campaign leaflets also asked "Why are the extremists urging a vote for Watkins?".[25]

Richard Price QC, one of the UK's leading election lawyers and co-author of "Parkers Law and Conduct on Elections", was interviewed about Watkins' legal challenge on BBC Radio 4's "PM" programme. He stated that to successfully make an election petition a candidate must prove that an opponent has made a “false statement of fact in relation to that candidate’s character or conduct”.[]

Mr Price also stated that:

“If the illegal practice is proved then it follows automatically that the candidate who is found to be guilty of that, has his election voided, and that candidate would be incapable of being elected to the House of Commons or being elected at a local election for three years from the decision of the election court.”[26]

Personal life

References