And all on a turnout of 48.1 percent.
So far as the Lib Dems and Labour are concerned, these numbers probably met expectations. Overall support for Elwyn Watkins has held firm since the general election, but he was always going to struggle to get within 103 votes of Labour once again. While a 10-point victory for Debbie Abrahams is encouraging for Labour, without quite suggesting a tidal shift in the public mood.
The 14 percent drop in the Tory vote is a little more striking, though – and it’s telling that Andy Burnham dwelt on it in his response to the Beeb. For their part, the Tories are pointing to the natural squeeze on third parties in by-elections. But this is unlikely to placate those who suspected the party was actively pushing down its vote in Oldham, in deference to the Lib Dems.
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