George Galloway, a veteran left-wing British politician, has emerged victorious in a special election held in Rochdale, a town in northern England with a significant Muslim population. The election, which took place amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, was marred by controversy and chaos. Galloway’s win has been described as “beyond alarming” by Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who expressed concerns about the targeting of British democracy by extremists.
Galloway, 69, secured nearly 40% of the vote in Rochdale’s parliamentary seat. In his victory speech, he took aim at Keir Starmer, the leader of the main opposition Labour Party, accusing him of enabling and covering for the catastrophe in Gaza. Galloway’s win is seen as a significant blow to Labour, with the party claiming that they withdrew support for their candidate, Azhar Ali, due to his suggestion that Israel was complicit in Hamas’ attack. Ali ended up coming in fourth place as a result.
The victory means that Galloway will once again have a platform in Parliament to voice his opposition to Israel’s operation in Gaza. He has vowed to contest similar seats in constituencies with sizable Muslim populations in the upcoming general election. This move has raised concerns among the governing Conservative Party, which fears that Galloway’s win will further exacerbate tensions in Rochdale and beyond.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews, the largest Jewish community organization in the U.K., has expressed deep concern over Galloway’s victory, calling it “a dark day” for the country’s Jewish community. They describe Galloway as a demagogue and conspiracy theorist who has spread division and hate wherever he has stood for Parliament.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, in an unexpected statement, called for unity while highlighting the rise in extremist disruption and criminality in recent weeks and months. He emphasized the need for respectful protests and assured that his government would support the police in maintaining order.
Galloway, on the other hand, dismissed Sunak’s warning about democracy, stating that he does not respect the prime minister and that many people in the country despise him. This is not the first time Galloway has courted controversy throughout his political career, which began half a century ago. He has been known for his fiery speeches and unapologetic advocacy for his political views.
Overall, Galloway’s victory in Rochdale has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of the U.K. It highlights the deep divisions and tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict and raises questions about the future direction of British politics. As the country prepares for the upcoming general election, all eyes will be on how Galloway’s win will impact the political landscape and whether it will further polarize an already divided nation.