Pro-Palestinian candidate secures surprise victory in UK by-election, shaking up political landscape

Britain’s opposition Labour Party, expected to win the upcoming general election, faced a surprising loss in one of its secure parliamentary seats to a pro-Palestinian former member during a hectic by-election.

George Galloway, a long-time left-wing politician, won the seat in Rochdale with a significant lead of almost 6,000 votes. He has promised to challenge and oppose Labour's stance on the Gaza conflict.

The by-election, a special election held outside of the general election cycle, gained significant interest due to Labour withdrawing support from its candidate, Azhar Ali. This decision was made after videos surfaced of Ali suggesting that Israel was involved in the October 7 Hamas attacks.

The unexpected turn of events, triggered by the comments made by Ali, completely shifted the focus of the campaign that was initially prompted by the passing of the local MP. Despite initially backing Ali, Labour had to retract their support, but it was too late to field a new candidate for the by-election.

This presented an opportunity for Galloway, known for his history of campaigning in areas with a large Muslim population and seeking their votes, albeit in a controversial manner.

In the lead-up to the byelection, the political editor of the Sun, a popular British tabloid, uncovered campaign materials from Galloway that were specifically targeted towards Muslim voters. The materials accused the political establishment of failing Rochdale and Britain, as well as supporting what was described as Israel's genocide in Gaza. Galloway positioned himself as a defender of Muslims, both domestically and internationally, despite facing consequences for his stances.

The Labour Party is facing a challenging situation as they navigate the Israel-Hamas conflict, trying to advocate for a ceasefire without appearing to criticize Israel. This issue is especially delicate for Labour, as they were recently involved in an anti-Semitism controversy under former leader Jeremy Corbyn.

CNN attempted to reach out to Galloway’s office for confirmation on the ownership of the campaign material, but did not receive a response.

Galloway was kicked out of the Labour Party in 2003 for disagreeing with Prime Minister Tony Blair's decision to back the Iraq war.

Despite facing accusations of profiting from Iraqi oil sales, he boldly defended himself at a US Senate panel and called out the Republican chairman for a mistake.

Galloway, known for his support of Muslim causes and Palestinians, has faced accusations of using anti-Semitic language. He was fired from TalkSport for a tweet criticizing the presence of Israeli flags at an English soccer match involving Tottenham Hotspur, a team associated with the North London Jewish community. Despite the accusations, Galloway has denied being anti-Semitic.

In addition to his support for Muslim causes, Galloway has worked for state-funded media outlets RT and Press TV, which are owned by Russia and Iran respectively. These channels have been banned from broadcasting in the UK and have been criticized for promoting propaganda.

Galloway’s victory is significant given the circumstances, but it may not provide much insight into the upcoming general election later this year. If Labour had not been forced to withdraw its candidate, they likely would have kept the seat.

However, this outcome serves as a caution to Starmer and the Labour Party regarding the importance of thoroughly vetting candidates. Any similar scandals emerging before the general election could significantly damage the party's chances.

Editor's P/S:

The by-election in Rochdale has highlighted the complexities and divisions within British politics, particularly surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict and the Labour Party's stance on it. George Galloway's unexpected victory, fueled by his pro-Palestinian stance and appeal to Muslim voters, has exposed Labour's vulnerability on this issue. While Galloway's victory may not directly impact the upcoming general election, it serves as a reminder of the need for Labour to navigate the conflict with sensitivity and address the concerns of all its constituencies.

The article also raises concerns about Galloway's past controversies, including accusations of anti-Semitism and his association with state-funded media outlets accused of promoting propaganda. These issues underscore the importance of thoroughly vetting candidates and ensuring that their views align with the party's values. The Labour Party must strike a balance between supporting marginalized communities and maintaining its commitment to diversity and tolerance.