Rochdale loyalties tested by George Galloway's Labour challenge on Gaza policy

Flamboyant MP tells The National his by-election victory was a signal that British Muslims could provide a significant general election upset

George Galloway in Rochdale. The MP has told The National that his election heralded the 'British political spring' with Muslims demonstrating they had a voice in Britain, although he faces a battle to keep his seat in the upcoming general election. Getty ImagesShow less

Rochdale, says its current MP George Galloway, will be remembered as the place where Britain’s Muslims saw that there was a new way of finding a political voice.

His view, although bound with self-interest, was certainly borne out during The National’s visit to the once prosperous northern England town where the Muslim vote appeared resolute for the outspoken politician who has spent a lifetime supporting Palestinians.

But his two-month stint as the former mill town’s MP could end if Labour can convince enough voters that its plans to help Palestinians once in office are genuine.

Speaking in Rochdale as he campaigns for a new term, he labelled Mr Starmer’s support for Israel in Gaza a “catastrophe” but this campaign was mild compared to others he has run as a Labour Party maverick turned independent campaigner.

Having been expelled from Labour for telling British troops not to obey “illegal orders” in the 2003 Iraq invasion, he stood for the Respect party in Bethnal Green, East London, in the 2005 general election. His defeated rival Oona King later told the BBC that she had faced abuse during the campaign.

“I was fairly shocked by the levels to which it sank,” she said, although her opponent’s camp called this a smear.

Mr Galloway was not elected in the 2010 general election but two years later he stood in a by-election in Bradford West, another heavily Muslim constituency that he won. The surprise populist anti-war campaign victory entrenched Mr Galloway's brand of politics, pitched to Arab causes with a left-wing agenda tagged on the side.

While he lost the seat in 2015, Mr Galloway could rely on his TV outlets, including Iran's Press TV and when it was removed by the UK regulator Ofcom Russia Today, where he hosted political discussions that again tore holes in the established parties. His show, now called Mother of All Talk Shows (MOATS), still goes out on YouTube where he has a loyalist following.

George Galloway in Rochdale. Thomas Harding / The National

British upheaval

Rochdale is instantly remarkable for its diversity of people from Asian Muslims, most notably Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, to West Africans and a core of Polish, as well as its English population.

Its 21,000 Muslim voters who make up a quarter of the voting population propelled Mr Galloway to a by-election victory in February, helped by Labour’s candidate being dismissed for claiming that Israel had allowed Hamas’s October 7 attacks as a pretext to invade Gaza.

While the stars were well aligned for him then, Mr Galloway argues that this was a watershed moment for British Muslims.

“Rochdale is a turning point in British politics in that people know that they can fight back, that their vote can mean something,” he told The National at his constituency office.

“Rochdale is now known as having been the place where a ‘British political spring’ was born, where for the first time the big parties were soundly beaten for their crimes not the least of which was their involvement in Gaza.”

Rochdale town hall. Thomas Harding / The National

Street power

That empowerment is born out on the streets, where market stall traders and high street shops have to compete with a major commercial shopping mall.

“We are supporting George because he raised the visibility of Palestinians while Gaza is being destroyed,” said Nadeem Arshad, 35, a double-glazing engineer. “Before, everyone supported Labour but they have done nothing for Gaza or the Palestinians. Labour has really disappointed us.”

His views were echoed by machinist Bozvir Rasheed, 55, originally from Bangladesh, who argued that “we need George for this job” as he was “a good fit for us working people, Asians and the Middle East”.

Farage's mirror

Opposition leader Keir Starmer’s initial backing for Israel meant Mr Galloway’s Workers Party will “eat Labour from the left” just as the populist, anti-immigrant politician Nigel Farage “is eating the Conservatives from the right”, he said.

“We'll win seats or directly affect results in scores, maybe hundreds of others,” he claimed, including deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner’s Tameside constituency where her 5,000 majority would be undermined by his 10,000 voters.

“Frankly I’d be surprised if any of Britain’s three million Muslim voters voted for Labour,” he added.

Paul Ellison and Paul Waugh, the Conservative and Labour party candidates for Rochdale. Photo: Conservatives North / Paul Waugh / X

But Mr Galloway will certainly have to fight to hold on to his seat with Labour no longer in the disarray of February. It has selected the respected Westminster journalist, Paul Waugh, who was born and raised in Rochdale.

Mr Waugh opened his campaign by calling for the suspension of UK arms sales to Israel and stating he would “unite all our communities” in Rochdale.

“I care deeply about Gaza,” he told The National. “Labour wants an immediate ceasefire on both sides to end the suffering. Furthermore, shadow foreign secretary David Lammy has been outspoken in calling for Israel to halt its appalling offensive in Rafah.”

He added that the city was “proud of its vibrant Muslim communities” who were a “vital part of Rochdale’s rich history of diversity”.

UK general election campaigning - in pictures

Conservative leader Rishi Sunak speaks at party campaign event at the National Army Museum in London on Wednesday, July 3. AP Photo

Labour Party leader Keir Starmer addresses supporters during a visit to the West Regwm Farm events venue in Whitland, Carmarthenshire, Wales, on the final day of election campaigning. PA

Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey drives a tractor during a visit to Owl Lodge in Lacock, Wiltshire. PA

Satirical political character Count Binface in London before challenging Conservative leader RishiSunak for the parliamentary seat of Richmond and Northallerton. Reuters

Boris Johnson, former UK prime minister, campaigns for the Conservatives in London. Bloomberg

Nigel Farage, leader of the far-right Reform UK Party, with heavyweight boxer Derek Chisora during a campaign visit to Clacton-on-Sea in eastern England. Reuters

Mr Sunak holds a speech during his visit to Well Healthcare Supplies as he campaigns in Stoke. Getty Images

Mr Starmer laughs as he speaks to supporters near Milton Keynes. AP

Mr Davey bungee jumps during a visit to Eastbourne Borough Football Club in East Sussex. AP

Mr Sunak bowls during his visit to Nuneaton Cricket Club. AFP

Mr Starmer addresses an audience of Labour Party members and supporters during a rally at the Royal Horticultural Halls in central London. AP

Mr Davey rides a towable inflatable during a visit to Lakeside Ski & Wake, in the Cotswolds. Reuters

Mr Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty visit the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in London. AFP

Mr Starmer during a visit to the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu temple in Kingsbury, London. PA

Mr Davey participates in a Zumba class with supporters in Wokingham. Reuters

Mr Starmer speaking during a visit to Northampton Town Football Club at Sixfields Stadium. PA

Mr Sunak delivers a speech in central London. AFP

Mr Davey jet-washes an ambulance in London. Getty Images

Mr Starmer rests his hand on the shoulder of Idris Elba as they meet families of knife crime victims, in west London. PA

Mr Sunak turns on the power in the training centre control room during a tour of the Sizewell B nuclear power plant. AFP

Mr Davey plays a game of Frisbee on a visit to a farm in Hampshire. AP

Mr Starmer and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves visit a supermarket in Swindon. PA

Mr Sunak speaks to journalists on the campaign bus following the launch of the Welsh Conservatives General Election manifesto near Rhyl. Reuters

Mr Davey taking part in wheelbarrow racing at Huish Park, home of Yeovil Town football club in Somerset. PA

Mr Farage speaks to the press in Clacton-on-Sea. Bloomberg

Mr Starmer speaks at the launch of the Labour party's 2024 general election manifesto in Manchester. AP

Mr Sunak answers questions from the audience in Grimsby. Getty Images

Mr Davey toasts a marshmallow as he visits Willow Forest School in Surrey. EPA

Mr Farage attends the launch of the Reform UK manifesto in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. Reuters

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar launches Scottish Labour’s battle bus campaign on June 17 in South Queensferry, Scotland. Getty Images

Britain's Labour Party politician and Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting speaks to a television crew outside the BBC in London. AFP

Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Ed Davey, on the BBC 1 current affairs programme, Sunday, with Laura Kuenssberg. BBC

Mr Sunak meets pupils in a maths class during a visit to the John Whitgift Academy, in Grimsby. AP

Mr Starmer during a visit to Grimsby Institute, a technical training college in Grimsby. PA

Mr Davey during a general election campaign visit to the Aqua Jungle Spot in Stratford-upon-Avon. Bloomberg

Mr Sunak and Akshata Murty take centre stage at the Conservative Party's general election manifesto launch in Towcester. Getty Images

Mr Starmer passes a toothbrush to a child during his visits to the Whale Hill Primary School in Middlesbrough. AP

Mr Davey meets Steve Darling, Liberal Democrat candidate for Torbay and his guide dog Jennie at Torquay Harbour. Getty Images

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage reacts after something is thrown towards him on the campaign bus in Cawthorne, Barnsley. AP

Mr Sunak attends a neighbourhood watch meeting in Horsham, West Sussex. PA

Mr Starmer helps volunteers pot plants during a visit to Harlesden Town Garden in north-west London. PA

Mr Davey on the 'Rush' ride during a Liberal Democrats general election campaign event at Thorpe Park. Reuters

Mr Sunak, during a visit to Imagination Childcare, in Swindon, Wiltshire, while on the election campaign trail. PA

Mr Starmer visits Brent Cross town's visitor pavilion for a housing launch in London. Getty Images

Mr Davey grills burgers in a garden, during campaigning in Wiltshire. PA

Mr Sunak during a visit to Leander Club, in Henley-on-Thames, as a boat carrying Liberal Democrat supporters passes behind him. Reuters

Mr Starmer meets pensioners to talk about the impact of the energy crisis and the cost of living, in a cafe in Bolton. PA

Mr Sunak and Mr Starmer lock horns the first televised general election debate of the campaign, at MediaCity in Salford. PA

Mr Davey plays Jenga using symbolic 'blue wall' blocks in Stockport. EPA

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn poses outside Islington Town Hall, north London, after handing in his nomination papers for the general election, taking place on July 4. PA

Mr Farage has a milkshake hurled at him during a campaign event in Clacton-on-Sea. EPA

Mr Sunak launches the Conservative Party's campaign bus at Redcar Racecourse in north-east England. PA

Labour launch their election campaign bus, with Mr Starmer, his deputy Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves, shadow chancellor, in Uxbridge. Getty Images

Mr Davey holds a balloon with a figure that represents the amount of votes the Liberal Democrat party lost by in Wimbledon. PA

Mr Sunak feeds lambs as he visits Rowlinson's Farm during a Conservative general election campaign event in Gawsworth. Reuters

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Mr Starmer, shadow secretary of state for energy security and net zero Ed Miliband and local candidate Martin McCluskey in Greenock. PA

Mr Sunak holds a question and answer session during a visit to Niftylift in Milton Keynes. EPA

Mr Starmer serves ice cream to day trippers on Barry seafront in South Wales. PA

Mr Davey takes part in a baking lesson with pupils from High Beeches Primary School during a half-term holiday camp in Hertfordshire. PA

Mr Sunak speaks with a cafe worker as he picks up breakfast for the media at a cafe in Cornwall. PA

Mr Starmer speaks at the launch of Labour's six steps for change in Wales at the Priory Centre in Abergavenny. PA

Mr Davey and Anna Sabine, parliamentary candidate for Frome and East Somerset, ride the Ultimate Slip 'n' Slide at Eastcote Farm in Beckington. Bloomberg

Scottish National Party Leader John Swinney speaks during a visit to The Dower House Cafe in Edinburgh. AP

Rishi Sunak examines Jackal armoured vehicles during his visit to defence vehicle manufacturer Supacat in Exeter. PA

Keir Starmer with a baby at Worcester City Football Club. PA

Ed Davey rides a bike during a visit to Knighton, Wales. PA

Nigel Farage at the cliffs in Dover after speaking at a Reform UK event. Getty Images

Akshata Murty, wife of Mr Sunak, meets with residents during a visit to a Royal British Legion care home in Ripon. Getty Images

Keir Starmer and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves during a visit to Rolls Royce’s educational training complex in Derby. PA

Ed Davey falls into the water while paddle boarding on Lake Windermere. PA

Rishi Sunak campaigning in Amersham, Buckinghamshire. EPA

Mr Starmer addresses party members and media in Lancing Parish Hall, West Sussex. Getty Images

Mr Davey launches his party's general election campaign battle bus in Cambridge. PA

Mr Sunak on the ball during a visit to Chesham United Football Club. PA

Mr Starmer speaks to party supporters after making his first keynote speech of the campaign in Lancing. PA

Mr Davey join supporters for a dog walk near Winchester. PA

Mr Sunak visits a maritime technology centre in Belfast, Northern Ireland, as he campaigns for the general election on July 4. Reuters

Mr Starmer and his Scottish counterpart, Anas Sarwar, greet supporters at the launch of the Scottish Labour general election campaign at Caledonia House in Glasgow. Getty Images

Mr Davey, right, eats ice cream with his party's local candidate, Josh Babarinde, on the promenade in Eastbourne. PA

Mr Sunak arrives at Inverness Airport, in Scotland, on the general election campaign trail. PA

Mr Starmer during a visit to Gillingham Football Club in Kent. PA

Mr Sunak speaks with members of staff at the Global Energy Group facility at the Port of Nigg in north-east Scotland. AFP

Mr Davey during a visit to the town centre in Cheltenham. PA

Richard Tice, the leader of Reform UK, attends an election campaign launch in London. AP

Mr Sunak holds a Q&A with staff of a West Transport distribution centre in Ilkeston in the East Midlands. AP

Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner and Mr Starmer arrive at Gillingham FC. Getty Images

Mr Sunak takes questions from workers at West Transport. Getty Images

Mr Starmer holds a piece of campaign branding at Gillingham. PA

Mr Sunak poses for a selfie in Ilkeston. AFP

Many would return to Labour, he argued, because the party had “delivered on bread and butter issues” such as health, education and housing.

The Labour candidate will also be supported by people like former soldier and postman Arthur Gardiner, 66, who stated that “we've got to worry about this country” and that focusing on a single issue such as Gaza was “a bad way to mobilise your support”.

“I don’t think Galloway will get an easy ride and I think the Labour candidate is strong and will step forward.”

He also cited illegal drugs as a “massive issue” and the poverty-stricken areas of the 1,000-year-old city that nestles among the hills of the south Pennines, a short distance from Manchester.

People walk past pro-Palestinian graffiti in Rochdale. Getty

Election controversy

Repeating by-election triumph is not so far something Mr Galloway has done in general elections. Just weeks ago he overturned a Labour majority of nearly 10,000 securing 40 per cent of the vote at the by-election in Rochdale.

It was not the first time he had outflanked his former party – he was Labour MP for a Glasgow seat for 18 years and then took two other seats under his own labels by running almost exclusively using issues thrown up by Middle East politics to win.

In Bethnal Green in 2005 his Labour opponent was Oona King, whose mother was a Jew, in which she alleged that workers for his Respect Party campaign had told Muslim voters “not to vote for me because I am Jewish”, something Mr Galloway denied.

Former MP Oona King outside the Houses of Parliament in 2007. Getty

During the bitter 2005 campaign, that he won by 823 votes, Mr Galloway responded to a question over why he was standing against one of only two black women MPs. He stated that as a Labour MP who was for the Iraq invasion Ms King had “voted to kill a lot of women in the last few years, many of them had much darker skins than her”.

In the 2012 by-election hat campaign there was concerns raised over sectarianism and the use of the Pakistani Baradari “brotherhood” network to win votes.

Meeting Saddam

Since meeting the PLO leader Yasser Arafat in Lebanon in the late 70s, Mr Galloway has been an ardent pro-Palestinian supporter.

This led him to meeting Iraqi government officials and the autocratic president Saddam Hussein to campaign against oil sanctions imposed by America.

President Saddam Hussein meeting with the then Labour MP George Galloway in 2002 in Baghdad. AFP

In one meeting Mr Galloway told the president “sir, I salute your courage…and I want you to know that we are with you until victory, until Jerusalem”.

He denied receiving illicit payments from Iraq in money diverted from its oil-for-food programme, that included a robust defence before a US Senate hearing in 2005.

A strong critic of Israel, the politician was involved in 2010 Viva Palestina convoy of 137 vehicles that broke the blockade of Gaza, delivering $5 million of aid to the Hamas government.

A year before he lost his seat in Bradford, Mr Galloway suffered serious head injuries after he was assaulted by a Jewish convert opposed to his pro-Palestinian views.

Conscription blues

Currently the polling company Electoral Calculus give Mr Waugh a 69 per cent chance of retaking the seat with Mr Galloway a 4 per cent chance of holding it.

The Conservatives have a 16 per cent chance, although Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s policy announcement for national service might prove a hindrance.

George Galloway in Rochdale. Thomas Harding / The National

Despite joining up with the Royal Air Force in September, Luke Crompton, 18, argued that the possible introduction of conscription had turned a lot of young voters off.

“They don’t want to vote Conservative because of conscription forcing them into the military for a year,” he said.

He also decried Britain’s two-party dominant system “like America” and labelled Rishi Sunak a “fat cat” while Keir Starmer was “someone who thinks he’s Tony Blair and talks nonsense”.

Tory fight

Despite the Conservatives trailing Labour by 20 points in the polls, the Tory candidate Paul Ellison still stands that one in six chance of winning, in the city that still retains some of the affluence at the heart of northern England’s woollen trade.

While “it was terrible what’s going on in Gaza” Mr Ellison wanted to focus on local issues such as tackling drug gangs.

He also referred to Rochdale’s notorious under-age sex trafficking scandal among men of mainly Pakistani origin exposed in 2012, stating that the negative press had seen “the Muslim community feel the brunt of that unfairly”.

While the town has not elected a Conservative since 1951, there remains some stalwart support. Graham Hoyle, 78, a retired engineer, said he did not trust any other party other than the Tories.

“I think Rishi Sunak has done an alright job, he’s positive and good as a leader but George Galloway has done nothing for this town.”

Mr Ellison agreed that “Galloway has had no impact” while Mr Waugh stated he “talks a lot but achieves little”.

Rochdale Pope

But Mr Galloway claimed he had put Rochdale back on the map “in a good way rather than all the bad reasons with the grooming scandal”.

He also boasted of achieving something no other MP had done, which was to get the Pope to repeat the word “Rochdale” in his prayers.

Pope Francis greets George Galloway during the weekly General Audience in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. Getty Images

“I had an audience with Pope Francis and asked him to pray for Gaza and Rochdale and he repeated the word Rochdale back to me,” he said.

That might be the last momentous moment of his career as the MP who has represented four constituencies told The National he will not stand again after this election.