Veteran left-wing firebrand George Galloway clinched victory in the Rochdale by-election, pledging to disrupt the opposition Labour Party ahead of an anticipated national election victory.
Galloway, renowned for his unorthodox political style, rallied support with a pro-Palestinian stance, resonating particularly with Rochdale’s Muslim population. His campaign, unusual for its emphasis on a foreign conflict in a local election, drew attention to Britain’s stance on the Israel-Hamas war, stirring passions across the country.
Galloway’s return to Parliament, his seventh stint, promises to be a thorn in Labour’s side, a party he once belonged to but was expelled from due to his criticism of then-Prime Minister Tony Blair over the Iraq War.
His triumph underscores the deep-seated divisions within Britain regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, which has sparked protests across the nation.
While the by-election primarily centered on foreign policy, Galloway also garnered support by advocating for local issues such as reinstating maternity services in Rochdale. However, it was his outspoken stance on Gaza that resonated most strongly with voters.
In his victory speech, Galloway directed barbs at Labour leader Keir Starmer and Conservative Chancellor Rishi Sunak, branding them as two sides of the same coin. His win, with 12,335 votes, dwarfed his closest rival, independent candidate David Tully, by a significant margin.
Notably, former Labour candidate Azhar Ali languished in fourth place after Labour withdrew support due to his espousal of conspiracy theories about Israel.
The campaign was marred by allegations of intimidation and abuse, with Richard Tice of Reform UK condemning the contest as shameful. With a low turnout of 39.7%, Galloway’s victory marks the first parliamentary representation for his left-wing Workers Party of Britain.
As Galloway prepares to re-enter the political fray, Labour faces internal strife over its Gaza policy. Starmer’s challenge lies in reconciling the party’s divergent views, a task made more daunting by Galloway’s return to Parliament. The colorful maverick vows to exploit Labour’s divisions, heralding a seismic shift in British politics.
