Rochdale residents at the centre of the most chaotic by-election in recent history are divided over their new MP George Galloway – with some saying it was a ‘total disgrace’ while others said ‘he’s right over Gaza’.
The controversial politician won the Rochdale by-election by a landslide after Labour – his former party – pulled support for its candidate because he made remarks that were condemned as anti-Semitic.
Despite calling on members not to vote for Azhar Ali, the Labour logo still appeared beside his name on the ballot paper because it was too close to the election to change their official candidate.
Many voters welcomed Galloway as their new MP because of his firebrand pro-Palestine politics while others shunned him for having ‘no affinity or connection’ to the Rochdale constituency – which has traditionally been a safe Labour seat.
Meanwhile, local Jewish leaders warned the leader of the Worker Party’s victory could inflate an already volatile atmosphere in the wake of the war in Gaza.
Firefighter Tauseef Tahir, 23, said he voted for Galloway because ‘everyone in his area did’ and for his stance on Palestine
Mother-of-five Susan Burke, 67, said she was ‘shocked’ by the result after she voted for an independent
Retired joiner David Smith, 75, slammed George Galloway’s victory as a ‘total disgrace’ because he has ‘nothing to do with Rochdale’
Rochdale campaigned on a pro-Palestine platform and said ‘this is for Gaza’ after he won
Student Tamiya Tahir, 20, said she voted for Galloway because of his hardline stance on Palestine
Airport manager David Tighe, 58, said the result was ‘shocking’
Pensioner Alfred Acheson, 66, said it was ‘a real blow for the town’ as he has ‘no connection’ to Rochdale
Picture shows the Gracie Fields statue in Rochdale Town Centre
However, Muslim voters welcomed Galloway’s – who was previously an MP for Labour and Respect – victory in the town in the foothills of the Pennines.
Firefighter Tauseef Tahir, 23, said: ‘I voted for Galloway as everyone from my area voted for him. Most people at work also voted for him.
‘I think he’s right over Gaza and hopefully he’ll also get in at the next election.’
His student sister Tamiya Tahir, 20, said: ‘I voted for him. I voted for him as I agree with him over Gaza.’
Retired joiner David Smith, 75, said: ‘It’s a total disgrace. Galloway has nothing to do with Rochdale.
‘He shouldn’t have been allowed to stand as he doesn’t live here. I voted for one of the independent candidates as they have Rochdale in their heart.
‘But Galloway has just got in because of Gaza. I’m stunned by all this.
‘We need to have a proper debate at the next election and people need to get out and vote.
Pensioner Alfred Acheson, 66, said: ‘I’m shocked he got in. It’s a real blow for the town.
‘Galloway has got no affinity or connection to Rochdale. Hopefully he’ll get thrown out at the general election.’
Mother-of-five Susan Burke, 67, said: ‘I’m really shocked by the result. I voted for one of the local independent candidates because they’re from Rochdale and know the town.
‘Galloway has nothing to do with Rochdale. But hopefully he can do something for Rochdale. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.’
Galloway has had a varied career in broadcasting, politics and even reality TV. Celebrity Big Brother fans will remember the moment he pretended he was a cat as he got down on all fours and faked lapping up milk out of Rula Lenska’s hands.
George Galloway clinched a shocking victory in the Rochdale by-election after one of the most divisive and controversial contests in recent history
‘Keir Starmer, this is for Gaza,’ the 69-year-old declared, as soon as he was announced as the winning candidate in Rochdale just before 3am
Mr Galloway, who put a hardline pro-Palestinian stance at the heart of his campaign, is now set to end his nine-year absence from the House of Commons
Mr Galloway kisses his wife, Putri Gayatri Pertiwi, during the by-election result declaration in Rochdale
Mr Galloway coasted home after Labour disowned its candidate in a normally-safe seat
Keir Starmer pictured this morning as he faces more problems on his Gaza stance
Speaking near the town hall and Gracie Fields statue, Dave Tighe slammed the result.
The airport manager, 58, said: ‘It’s shocking. The whole thing stinks. I just think the whole thing is corrupt – I didn’t even bother voting.’
Student Ramisa Gihan, 17, said: ‘Galloway got in because of the Muslim vote and Gaza.
‘But he’s come from Scotland and has nothing to do with this area. I’m not sure it’s great for the town.’
Jewish leaders voiced their concerns over Galloway’s victory due to his ‘history of divisive rhetoric’.
A spokesperson for the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester said: ‘The election of George Galloway will naturally be a cause of significant concern for the Jewish community.
‘By his own admission, Mr Galloway intends to speak about the conflict in Gaza before focusing on the people who have sent him to the Commons.
‘Galloway has a history of divisive rhetoric and associations with people who hold controversial views.
‘At a time of heightened tension, toxic public discourse and instability, further populist speech will create anxiety for Jewish people who are already contending with record levels of hate crime.
The group added : ‘Community cohesion is coming under unprecedented pressure.
Votes for Mr Galloway, who put a hardline pro-Palestinian stance at the heart of his campaign, are seen on a table at a polling station
Mr Galloway was all smiles as he was photographed with wife Putri today after his triumphant victory
Mr Galloway, a controversial figure, became the favourite to win in Rochdale after Labour’s bid to retain the seat imploded
Votes are taken out of a ballot box for counting during the Rochdale by-election, which has been one of the most divisive and controversial by-election contests in recent history
‘It is now more important than ever that people concentrate on building bridges by ensuring a conflict taking place thousands of miles away is not used as an excuse to target Jewish people across the region.
‘We have no doubt given his extensive record of contentious behaviour, that George Galloway will hinder rather than help with this critically important work.’
Many loyal Labour voters said the didn’t go t the balots because of the controversy that surrounded Azhar Ali.
Labour voter Mary Wilkins, 59, said: ‘I didn’t know who to vote for so I didn’t bother. I was robbed of the right to vote Labour – which was disgraceful.
‘However Keir did the right thing in getting rid of him after what he said about Israel.’
The mother-of-two added: ‘Hopefully it will just for a few months anyway when the general election comes round.’
Pensioner Alfred Acheson, 66, said: ‘I didn’t vote. I didn’t see the point.’
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