UK Politics

[gizmoman]

Not even close, main parties thrashed,

• Azhar Ali (on the ballot as a Labour candidate) - 2,402
• Mark Coleman (Independent) - 455
• Simon Christopher Danczuk (Reform UK) - 1,968
• Iain Donaldson (Liberal Democrats) - 2,164
• Paul Simon Ellison (Conservative) - 3,731
• George Galloway (Workers Party of Britain) - 12,335
• Michael Howarth (Independent) - 246
• William Leckie Howarth (Independent) - 523
• Guy Nicholas Otten (Green) - 436
• Ravin Rodent Subortna (Monster Raving Loony Party) - 209
• David Anthony Tully (Independent) - 6,638

Doubt if Labour would have won even if they had campaigned.

[Neil]

8 hours ago, Neil said:

galloway is the solution to nothing at all.

The not workers party of george Galloway - will rochdale wake up tomorrow and feel embaressed?

[steviewevie]

That's a big win for Galloway, and a problem for Labour. It is a protest vote, and not sure how much it will carry into next election...but it is there and can't just be written off. The big caveat is Labour didn't stand a candidate...but even so.  

Also, in my heart I really didn't want Galloway to win, I was just angry with the news in Gaza, and that's what happens, people get angry and vote for people like Galloway. I think Starmer f**ked it up with the whole Gaza thing, yes he was unlucky that all kicked off during Labour conference...but that lbc interview and then ruling out calling for a ceasefire were in hindsight mistakes that I am sure they regret...he now is tarnished with all that before even getting into office.

[steviewevie]

but I guess this shows why Labour tried to stick with Ali...they needed to win this seat and keep Galloway out. They picked the wrong candidate.

[steviewevie]

Maybe one day Labour vs Conservatives will be replaced with Reform vs Workers Party. Wouldn't that be awesome?

[pink_triangle]

It’s a problem with the system that doesnt allow candidate replacement. However this may be good for labour, they may have lost anyway and can now say it was because they didn’t have a candidate. I’m sure Rochdale will come back in the next election.

[Guest]

Galloway won’t retain the seat at the general election. He’s a vile human being and stands virtually no chance of retaining the seat.

If Labour had done their due diligence and stood a candidate then they’d have taken the seat easily. This isn’t a crises for Labour at all. 

Edited March 1, 2024 by Ozanne

[steviewevie]

30 minutes ago, Ozanne said:

Galloway won’t retain the seat at the general election. He’s a vile human being and stands virtually no chance of retaining the seat.

If Labour had done their due diligence and stood a candidate then they’d have taken the seat easily. This isn’t a crises for Labour at all. 

I wouldn't be so sure. He won by 6000 votes. Ali came 4th. I think people are underestimating the anger towards Starmer and Labour over this Gaza thing amongst the muslim population.

[steviewevie]

Galloway may be a c**t, but he is very good at what he does, an impressive firebrand speaker...he will be a problem for Labour in parliament and during an election campaign. Of course a lot will depend on the situation in the middle east.

[kaosmark2]

That disgusting piece of sh*t getting in is on Labour. Excuses are excuses.

[Neil]

2 hours ago, steviewevie said:

Maybe one day Labour vs Conservatives will be replaced with Reform vs Workers Party. Wouldn't that be awesome?

there are no workers for that workers party there is only  George

[steviewevie]

[steviewevie]

Reform did pretty sh*t, I guess Galloway appealed to some of their potential voters.

[Neil]

7 minutes ago, steviewevie said:

Reform did pretty sh*t, I guess Galloway appealed to some of their potential voters.

and the labour geezer, prolly.

[Kurosagi]

If Galloway lives up to his boast of fielding GE candidates wouldn't that mean Reform splitting the tory vote and Workers Party splitting the labour vote?

[steviewevie]

1 minute ago, Neil said:

and the labour geezer, prolly.

..how?

[steviewevie]

Also an independent came 2nd, some guy campaigning on just local issues.

[Neil]

2 minutes ago, Kurosagi said:

If Galloway lives up to his boast of fielding GE candidates wouldn't that mean Reform splitting the tory vote and Workers Party splitting the labour vote?

there's no way galloway could work up a national party!

[Neil]

4 minutes ago, steviewevie said:

..how?

all the nasties together, a nasty attracts the nasty voters.

[steviewevie]

1 minute ago, Neil said:

all the nasties together, a nasty attracts the nasty voters.

Maybe they should form the nasty party.

[lost]

7 minutes ago, Kurosagi said:

If Galloway lives up to his boast of fielding GE candidates wouldn't that mean Reform splitting the tory vote and Workers Party splitting the labour vote?

Can't see him expanding beyond the mill towns of Lancashire and Yorkshire.

[Kurosagi]

7 minutes ago, lost said:

Can't see him expanding beyond the mill towns of Lancashire and Yorkshire.

Agreed, sorry, I wasn't clear enough, wasn't expecting GG to field nationally.

But Starmer was relying on recovering labour seats lost up North in the last GE. If Galloway gets his act together (and it's a big if) it could prove tricky for labour.

Lots of 'ifs' though and if the polls don't tighten and if SNP continue to implode and if reform split the tory vote down south etc etc then it should still be plain sailing for labour.

[Kurosagi]

In the months ahead it'll be interesting to see if GG gets much media time. If he does then he'll be a thorn in Starmer's side. The polls show voters aren't over the moon about Starmer and GG will be very articulate in amplifying that at every opportunity.

[lazyred]

3 hours ago, Ozanne said:

If Labour had done their due diligence and stood a candidate then they’d have taken the seat easily. This isn’t a crises for Labour at all. 

I wonder how many similar recordings of labour neetings are out there. Whoever leaked this waited until the right moment

[steviewevie]

24 minutes ago, Kurosagi said:

Agreed, sorry, I wasn't clear enough, wasn't expecting GG to field nationally.

But Starmer was relying on recovering labour seats lost up North in the last GE. If Galloway gets his act together (and it's a big if) it could prove tricky for labour.

Lots of 'ifs' though and if the polls don't tighten and if SNP continue to implode and if reform split the tory vote down south etc etc then it should still be plain sailing for labour.

SNP probably think they can make similar gains from grievances over Gaza.