By Ben Kerrigan-
George Galloway has emerged victorious in the Rochdale by-election, claiming nearly 40% of the vote.
Galloway had campaigned heavily on the plight of Palestinians in Gaza, courting the Muslim vote in Rochdale.
In his victory speech he said: “Keir Starmer – this is for Gaza. And you will pay a high price, in enabling, encouraging and covering for, the catastrophe presently going on in occupied Palestine in the Gaza strip.”
He added: “This is going to spark a movement, a landslide, a shifting of the tectonic plates in scores of parliamentary constituencies.
“Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak are two cheeks of the same backside and they both got well and truly spanked tonight.”
The former Labour and Respect MP’s win comes amidst a campaign marred by allegations of intimidation and divisive tactics, leaving the town divided and the political landscape shaken.
Mr Galloway, who was standing for the Workers Party of Britain, secured victory with almost 40% of the vote following a campaign dogged by controversy and dominated by the Middle East conflict.
The former Labour MP and Celebrity Big Brother contestant gained 12,335 votes, a majority of 5,697, on a turnout of 39.7
In a defiant victory speech, Galloway wasted no time in making his intentions clear. Focusing on the situation in Palestine, he directed sharp criticism at Labour leader Keir Starmer, vowing consequences for his perceived role in the ongoing crisis.
With a resolute tone, Galloway declared his plans to hold Rochdale councillors accountable, promising a “grand alliance” to cleanse the local government at the upcoming elections in May.
However, the celebratory atmosphere was disrupted by a heckler accusing Galloway of climate change denial, followed by a shower of confetti. Undeterred, Galloway pressed on, outlining his agenda to reinstate a maternity ward in Rochdale and support the struggling local football club.
Surprisingly, the runner-up in the election was David Tully, an independent candidate, who garnered significant support from the electorate. Tully’s strong showing underscores the discontent among voters and the desire for change in Rochdale.
The by-election itself was riddled with controversy, with Labour withdrawing support for its candidate, Azhar Ali, amidst allegations of inflammatory remarks. Labour’s absence from the ballot paved the way for Galloway’s victory, prompting criticism from party officials who accused him of fostering division within the community.
Reform UK leader Richard Tice also weighed in, alleging intimidation and questioning the integrity of the electoral process. His concerns echoed those of former party leader Nigel Farage, who has long been critical of postal voting.
Meanwhile, Galloway dismissed accusations of intimidation, refuting claims made by his opponents. In a surprising twist, he revealed that he had been approached by Tice to stand as a Reform UK candidate in a previous by-election.
However, concerns have been raised about Galloway’s controversial past and its implications for his future role in Parliament. The Campaign Against Antisemitism voiced apprehension about Galloway’s history of incendiary rhetoric, warning of potential repercussions for the Jewish community.