Controversial left-wing firebrand George Galloway has managed to secure a surprising victory in the Rochdale by-election. Galloway, a former Labour MP and Celebrity Big Brother contestant, was standing for the Workers Party of Britain and managed to garner an impressive 12,335 votes. This resulted in a majority of 5,697, beating out independent candidate David Anthony Tully who came in second with 6,638 votes.
The Labour party had been favored to win the seat in the by-election until their campaign was derailed by leaked recordings of their candidate Azhar Ali making alleged antisemitic comments, which were obtained by the Daily Mail. Despite winning 2,402 votes, the party ultimately had to withdraw its support from Mr. Ali. However, by that time, it was too late to remove his name from the ballot paper, leading to a significant blow to Labour’s prospects in the election.
George Galloway heavily focused his campaign on issues related to the Palestinian cause in Gaza, aiming to mobilize Muslim voters in Rochdale. In addition to this, Galloway also highlighted other local issues such as the situation of the Rochdale Football Club, maternity services, and the state of the local accident and emergency services. He envisioned the formation of a “grand alliance” to challenge current councillors and alter the leadership of the local administration.
Rival candidate Simon Danczuk, representing Reform UK, criticized Galloway for being divisive and labeled him as the “MP for Gaza” rather than addressing the needs of the Greater Manchester town. Danczuk’s own political history, including being barred from the Labour party in 2017, added a layer of complexity to the election campaigns. Moreover, Green Party candidate Guy Otten also faced backlash for comments made on social media, despite having party support. These controversies added fuel to an already intense by-election campaign.
Rochdale, known to be one of the most deprived towns in England, has faced its share of challenges, including grooming gang scandals. A major report in January shed light on the fact that young girls were left vulnerable to predators due to failings by senior police and council figures. Residents in the constituency expressed disillusionment with the by-election, labeling it as a “pantomime” and highlighting the lack of credible candidates for their town.
The by-election was triggered by the passing of Labour stalwart Sir Tony Lloyd, who succumbed to leukaemia in January. His legacy was overshadowed by the controversies surrounding the election, with candidates facing scrutiny over their past actions and statements. The political landscape in Rochdale remains tumultuous, with the victory of George Galloway injecting a new element of unpredictability into the mix.
George Galloway’s victory in the Rochdale by-election represents a seismic shift in the political dynamics of the town. The controversies and criticisms surrounding the campaign highlight the challenges and complexities of modern-day politics. As Rochdale grapples with its issues and seeks representation, the aftermath of this election will continue to reverberate through the local and national political spheres.
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