George Galloway humiliated as he loses seat to Labour just 126 days after by-election
George Galloway failed to hold on to the Rochdale constituency for the Worker's Party of Britain after pulling off a shock by-election victory back in February.
Election 2024: George Galloway loses Rochdale seat to Labour
George Galloway has lost his seat 126 days after pulling off a surprise by-election victory in Rochdale.
The Worker's Party of Britain incumbent, defending a majority of more than 6,000 votes, was defeated by Labour's Paul Waugh.
Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock blasted Mr Galloway immediately after the result, telling the BBC: "Galloway is repulsive. I've known him since 1983 and he is repellent.
"He is such a chancer."
Mr Galloway finished in second place with 11,508 votes, behind former journalist Mr Waugh who was backed by 13,047 people.
Rochdale hopeful George Galloway thanked those in the constituency who "gave me 54 sitting days in the last parliament as their MP".
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After the defeat Mr Galloway took to X, formerly Twitter, to say: “I thank the people of Rochdale who gave me 54 sitting days in the last parliament as their MP.
“Big thanks to my agent, my campaign team and the thousands who voted for me today.
“We took the government party to within 1500 votes and serve notice on Labour that we are here to stay in Rochdale.
“We will field a full slate of council candidates, establish a full-time office there, campaign to re-open the Maternity Ward and A&E, and keep up the pressure on Labour in the town.”
Former Labour and Respect member, Mr Galloway, swept to victory in Rochdale in February gaining almost 40% of the vote in a contest mired in chaos and controversy and dominated by the Gaza war.
Palestine has been a major theme of Mr Galloway’s political career, throughout which he has voiced ferocious opposition to British and US foreign policies, both in the Middle East and, more recently, in their support for Ukraine.
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Deluded Galloway previously claimed that his party would secure "double figures" in this election.
The controversial politician won a shock victory in the seat of Rochdale, Greater Manchester this year after Labour withdrew their support for candidate Azhar Ali.
Mr Galloway, a former Labour, Respect and now Workers Party of Britain member, entered the Commons with nearly 6,000 more votes than any rival and declared "Keir Starmer - this is for Gaza".
Speaking ahead of the election, he told the M.E.N: "If I'm elected and there's a Labour government, Labour will be able to refuse Rochdale nothing. Because the one thing in the world, in Rochdale, (Labour) want more than any other, is to see the back of me."
