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		</div><p><a href="http://londonglossy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/labour-win-deals-blow-to-coalition.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full" title="Labour candidate Debbie Abrahams arrives at the count of the Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election (AP)" src="http://londonglossy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/min-labour-win-deals-blow-to-coalition.jpg" alt="Labour candidate Debbie Abrahams arrives at the count of the Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election (AP)"/></a></p>
<p>The coalition has suffered a bloody nose in its first by-election as Labour romped home in Oldham East and Saddleworth.</p>
<p>Debbie Abrahams was declared the winner of the contest with a majority of 3,558 &#8211; larger than the party secured in its 1997 landslide.</p>
<p>The Liberal Democrats played down the significance of the defeat, stressing that parties in government rarely perform well in by-elections.</p>
<p>But the margin of Labour&#8217;s victory will heighten the pressure on Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.</p>
<p>Labour leader Ed Miliband will also seize on the strong showing after what has been seen as a faltering start at the party&#8217;s helm.</p>
<p>Labour activists had voiced optimism after a mild afternoon in the constituency pushed turnout to a respectable 48.06%. And by midnight it had become clear that their candidate had triumphed, with the Lib Dems trying to limit damage by predicting a &#8220;decent second&#8221; for Elwyn Watkins.</p>
<p>The ballot was called after an election court declared last year&#8217;s contest void due to Labour victor Phil Woolas making false statements about the Lib Dem opponent Mr Watkins.</p>
<p>Despite finishing just 103 votes behind Labour in last May&#8217;s general election, polls last weekend found Mr Watkins trailing by a massive 17 points. In the event, Mr Watkins polled 11,160 votes to Ms Abrahams&#8217; 14,718. Tory Kashif Ali came a distant third with 4,481.</p>
<p>Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said it was always going to be a &#8220;big ask&#8221; for his party to win the seat, and insisted the coalition was making the &#8220;right choices&#8221;.</p>
<p>Victorious Labour candidate Ms Abrahams said: &#8220;The voters have spoken for the country. They have sent a clear message for those watching in Downing Street. Mr Cameron, Mr Clegg, you may be watching but now you have to listen.&#8221;</p>
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