George Galloway, a seasoned left-wing figure, secured a seat as Rochdale’s new MP on Friday, pledging to challenge the Labour Party on Gaza ahead of a predicted national election victory.
Galloway’s campaign, which focused on pro-Palestinian issues, resonated with Rochdale’s Muslim voters. He criticized both the Labour and Conservative parties for their stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict, making international concerns a central theme of this by-election—a departure from the norm.
Now elected for the seventh time, Galloway, previously expelled from Labour for opposing Tony Blair on the Iraq war, promises to be a persistent challenge for the party.
His win highlights UK divisions regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, now in its fifth month, sparking protests supporting both sides. According to Palestinian health officials, the conflict has resulted in over 30,000 deaths in Gaza. This follows a Hamas attack in Israel on October 7, leading to 1,200 Israeli deaths and 253 hostages.
Galloway’s parliamentary return, though potentially brief, is expected to be impactful, especially with a national election approaching. In his victory speech, he criticized both Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak, dismissing them as indistinguishable.
With 12,335 votes, Galloway significantly outpaced his closest competitor, independent David Tully. Labour’s former candidate, Azhar Ali, ranked fourth after the party withdrew support due to controversial remarks.
Richard Tice, leader of the Reform UK party, reported campaign intimidation, with his candidate finishing sixth.
Galloway’s victory introduces the Workers Party of Britain to Parliament for the first time amid Rochdale’s search for effective representation. Among England’s most deprived, the town sought a candidate committed to local improvement.
Although Galloway promised to address local issues like maternity services, his Gaza stance dominated his campaign. He plans to challenge Labour’s evolving position on the Israel conflict from within Parliament.
This development adds to Starmer’s challenges in unifying the party on the Gaza issue. Labour’s Ellie Reeves regretted not fielding a candidate, criticizing Galloway for fostering division.
Galloway, known for his flamboyant public persona, aims to capitalize on Labour’s internal divisions, suggesting his win could signal broader political shifts.
