George Galloway, a veteran left-wing firebrand, celebrated victory in a parliamentary election in Rochdale, north of Manchester, early Friday. Galloway, known for his outspoken criticism of the Iraq war and his controversial rhetoric, directed his attack at Keir Starmer, the leader of Britain’s opposition Labour Party.
Galloway’s win in Rochdale, a seat previously held by Labour, came after a chaotic campaign that highlighted the anger in British politics over the war in Gaza. The election was held to replace Tony Lloyd, a Labour Party lawmaker who passed away earlier this year.
The victory in Rochdale was seen as an act of revenge by Galloway, who was once a member of Parliament representing Labour but was expelled from the party in 2003. Galloway has a history of generating publicity through his fiery speeches and actions, including meeting with Saddam Hussein in 1994 and appearing on reality TV shows like “Celebrity Big Brother.”
In Rochdale, Labour’s campaign suffered a setback when their candidate was suspended for making offensive comments about Israel and Hamas. This left the seat undefended and paved the way for Galloway’s victory.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed concern over Galloway’s win, calling it “beyond alarming.” Galloway’s appeal to Muslim voters, who make up a significant portion of the electorate in Rochdale, played a crucial role in his victory.
While Galloway’s success in Rochdale may not be easily replicated elsewhere, it has implications for Labour’s internal politics and the upcoming national election. Galloway’s return to Parliament is expected to stir up tensions within the party, particularly over issues related to the Middle East.
As Galloway prepares to take on Labour in the upcoming general election, his victory in Rochdale serves as a warning to the party leadership. Despite facing criticism and controversy throughout his career, Galloway’s ability to connect with voters on emotive issues has once again proven successful.
