George Galloway wins Rochdale by-election in blow to Labour's Keir Starmer

Scandal-hit ex-Labour MP makes dramatic political comeback

In a surprising turn of events, scandal-hit ex-Labour MP George Galloway has emerged victorious in the Rochdale by-election, dealing a blow to Labour leader Keir Starmer. Galloway, known for his fiery rhetoric and past appearances on Big Brother, secured 12,335 votes from the constituency.

Galloway's victory adds to Starmer's woes

This win marks the fifth time that Rochdale has chosen Galloway as its MP, cementing his unusual record in modern politics. Throughout his campaign, Galloway focused on Gaza-related issues, criticizing Starmer's leadership. In his victory speech, he directly addressed Starmer, saying, "This is for Gaza," further complicating matters for the Labour leader.

Controversial figures and incidents mar the by-election

The by-election was not without its share of controversies, with independent candidate David Anthony Tully coming in second, followed by Tory candidate Paul Simon Ellison. Notably, former Labour candidate Azhar Ali, who was abandoned by the party due to inflammatory comments on Israel, finished fourth. Another former Labour MP, Simon Danczuk, was also in the running and faced challenges during the campaign.

Concerns raised over campaign conduct

Reports of death threats, candidates wearing stab vests, and vandalism highlighted the tense atmosphere surrounding the by-election. Reform UK candidate Simon Danczuk, who focused on a "Rochdale not Gaza" platform, received threats and had to employ security guards for his safety. Reform leader Richard Tice condemned the behavior witnessed during the campaign, calling it "deeply disturbing" and questioning the integrity of the electoral process.