Sir Keir Starmer has apologized to voters in Rochdale for disowning Labour’s by-election candidate, George Galloway, but insists it was the “right decision”. Galloway won the contest, with Labour’s suspended candidate, Azhar Ali, coming in a distant fourth. Galloway described the result as Sir Keir’s “worst nightmare”. The Labour leader attributes Galloway’s victory to the withdrawal of support for Ali over remarks that were widely alleged to be antisemitic.
In his victory speech, Galloway referred to Sir Keir and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as “two cheeks of the same backside,” criticizing their performance in Rochdale. Independent candidate David Tully, a local businessman, came in second place, surpassing the Conservatives in third place.
The by-election was triggered by the death of Labour MP Sir Tony Lloyd, who had held the seat with a majority of nearly 10,000 votes. Labour had been expected to win, but their campaign faced turmoil when remarks from their candidate, Azhar Ali, regarded as antisemitic, were published. Ali apologized for his comments, but the party decided to withdraw their support and ordered their members to stop campaigning for him.
Galloway has long been an advocate for causes related to the Middle East and campaigned for Palestinian rights. He warned that Labour would “pay a high price” for their handling of the conflict in the region.
The result of the Rochdale by-election puts pressure on Sir Keir to toughen up Labour’s stance on Israel, according to veteran political pollster Sir John Curtice. However, he believes there will be minimal impact on the general election, as he sees Galloway as uniquely able to exploit the issue of the war in Gaza.
Another notable candidate in the by-election was Simon Danczuk, the town’s former Labour MP, who represented the Reform UK party. However, Danczuk was beaten into sixth place and received 1,968 votes.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism expressed concern over Galloway’s victory, citing his “atrocious record of baiting the Jewish community.” Galloway had previously called for Bradford to be declared an “Israel-free zone.”
Looking ahead, the Rochdale by-election brings attention to the divisions within Labour regarding their stance on Israel. As political parties navigate complex issues and conflicts, it becomes increasingly important for them to present clear and unified positions to the public.
The outcome of the by-election also highlights the potential impact of independent candidates, like David Tully, who was able to capture the attention of voters disenchanted with mainstream politics. This trend of independent voices could influence future elections, as people seek alternatives outside of traditional party lines.
Overall, the Rochdale by-election serves as a reminder of the challenges parties face when dealing with sensitive issues and the need for strong leadership to navigate through them effectively. With the general election expected later this year, parties must carefully consider their messaging and candidates to secure the support of voters.