Elwyn Watkins

Robert Elwyn James Watkins (29 October 1963 – 19 May 2024) was a British Liberal Democrat politician. He narrowly lost to Labour Party candidate Phil Woolas for the Oldham East and Saddleworth seat in the 2010 general election, but the result was overturned by an election court, which found that Woolas had knowingly lied about Watkins' personal character.

Watkins had stood down as a councillor representing Healey Ward on Rochdale Council in order to contest the general election. He was selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for the constituency in late 2007. In 2008, Watkins said he was planning to seek legal advice after Woolas' election agent suggested he had "abandoned his constituents and moved to the Middle East to work for a multi-billionaire sheikh". Following the 2010 election and subsequent court case, Watkins contested a by-election but was defeated by Woolas' replacement, Debbie Abrahams.

Watkins' death was announced on Facebook on 20 May 2024; he was 60 years old.

Oldham East & Saddleworth court case

Watkins received significant media coverage in November 2010 after his petition against the return of Phil Woolas resulted in the general election result being declared void. Woolas was disqualified from holding elected office for three years. and so a by-election for the Oldham East and Saddleworth seat was called which was won by Labour's Debbie Abrahams.