George Galloway

[domineastronomy]

Looks likely to win the Rochdale by-election.
Does anyone know his position on gender ideology?

Yes, demogogues. It's very easy for men like these (and it will be men) to use emotive language about a popular cause. Nigel Farage is indeed very similar.

There is a difference between:
"I believe Assange probably didn't do the thing he is accused of and was targeted for political reasons" and
"What Assange was accused of isn't that bad. Why would anyone care about that?"

In fact, for the 2019 election, he was a supporter of Nigel Farage's Brexit party. He has been a consistent opponent of the EU. He blamed the Ukraine war on NATO.

I used to watch his programme on Russia Today, when that was available. It often made for interesting viewing.

In a way, Galloway scares me even more than Farage does. He’s more effective in whipping up violent feeling.

Couple of GG’s recent campaign letters (not my images, just found on Reddit):

Sorry, I can't read those - could you summarise?

Quite excited that a local businessman who decided to stand 4 weeks ago got so much of the vote. Four weeks! Scored approaching three times the 'formerly Labour candidate' vote and twice the Conservative vote. I reckon that this poses well for candidates who are well-informed and have local roots and represent change. If I were in Rochdale and after tonight realised that local candidates could challenge the big parties then I would consider voting for the 'outsider' again. Good news for Posie's Party?

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

I've just woken up to hear he's won. He's nuts and it'll end in tears.

I wouldn't give GG house room if he was the last option open to me. I'd sooner spoil my vote.

His slogan is Make Rochdale Great Again?!

I believe Julian Assange is a hero. this board has only one narrative for every issue: Labour, Tory, Israel, Palestine, abortion, pronouns, surrogacy, SNP, Kellie Jay, jane Claire jones, Richi sunak, keir starmer, - I could give a basic FWR slogan for every one of those. It’s so depressing

Approximate text of letter 1:

I wanted to write to you before you vote on Thursday to outline to you why I am standing in this by-election.

First and foremost, I believe in Britain. That's why I fought for Brexit, and why I fought against Scotton Independence. I believe in family. I am a father of six children, five of them still at school. And i don't like some of the things they are teaching our children.

I believe in men and women. God created everything in pairs. Unlike the mainstream parties I have no difficulty in defining what a woman is. I have fought for human rights all my life and I treat others as they wish to be treated. But I will not stand reality on its head, A man cannot become a woman as such.

I believe in law and order. I believe in peaceful change. I will fight for more and smarter pollo will expose any cover-up of crime. There will be no grooming gangs on my watch. Even if I have to arrest them myself.

I fight for small business, the hardest working people in the country. I've already secured the imminent re-opening of the open-air market at the Exchange and I confidently expect the arrival of Primark there too in due course. As the owner of the Exchange asked me: "Rochdale is 20 minutes from Manchester.

How can you not make that work?"

ABOVE ALL ELSE these are my goals:

1. Reopen the Maternity and A&E at Rochdale infirmary without delay.

2.Make the Open-Air Market the heart of the town, just like Bury,

3.Secure the long-term future of Rochdale AFC:

4.Bring back big names to our town centre like Primark; and finally

5.MAKE ROCHDALE GREAT AGAIN.

I hope I can count on your support.

George Galloway

I used a text reader for this and it does make mistakes.

Sorry, I can't read those - could you summarise?

Letter to a (presumably white) constituent: no mention of Gaza, refers to local issues, anti gender ideology, anti grooming gangs, pro small business, 'let's make Rochdale great again'

Letter to Muslim community; all about Gaza and getting Keir Starmer out.

It's as though they were by two different parties.

And what is your slogan about forced marriage?

Is it "absolutely fine, if politically convenient"?

Text of letter 2. Again, using text reader.

To the voters of the Muslim faith in Rochdale

A'Salaam o Aleukum,

The last 130 days have shocked the ummah to its core. The killing of thousands of our brothers and sisters in Gaza is a war crime, and Israel must be held to account.

The political class have failed Rochdale, failed Britain and failed Gaza. I expect as much from the Conservative party, but the Labour Party under Sir Keir Starmer have betrayed Muslims, choosing instead to support Israel's genocide in Gaza.

1. George Galloway, have fought for Muslims at home and abroad all of my life. And paid a price for it.

1. George Galloway, have always come to the side of the people of Palestine in their agony - and am doing so again now as Gaza is burning - tried to save the people of Iraq, and fight against all wars.

If Labour lose this by-election, Sir Keir Starmer could well be forced out as Labour leader. Sir Keir Starmer, a top supporter of Israel, out.

Imagine - the people of Rochdale coming together to topple the hated Labour leader. We have the power to do that. It's in your hands, brothers and sisters.

With your support on THURSDAY 29th FEBRUARY, and if God wills it, I will give the 200 remaining days of this Parliament to the service of all the people in Rochdale, as your MP. You have a unique opportunity to send Keir Starmer and the Labour Party a message - stop supporting Genocide, stop supporting Israeli aggression, and stand with Palestine.

Together, we can send a message that will be heard in all four corners of the world - from the North West of England to Palestine.

War Salaam o Aleukum,

George Galloway

So you’re a fan of both racist demagogues And rapists then? Go you.

I think the thing to remember is GG is a good orator. I mean, he knows how to craft a speech. He knows what to say to get people to go with him. He knows how to make people feel he is speaking to them. That is a rare skill.

However, calling him names doesn't counter any of this- and I think most other MP's from all sides are sadly lacking in the skill of being able to put an argument of substance together. I listen to a fair amount of MP's (on any topic) and think, 'someone has put this speech together for them.'

I see the local chap came in second- listening to the radio this morning, people seemed to think he was a good bloke and they believed in him. That's what people are looking for- someone we can trust and believe in. For some reason, lots of people believed in Boris Johnson.

He is clever enough to know exactly what to say in Rochdale- and the text of his letter would change if he was in another part of the country. People keep voting for him and no-one comes in with the skill to dismantle his arguments. Again, calling him names obviously doesn't work. Saying he is guilty of 'hate' means nothing anymore. Everyone says it, it means nothing- we need public people and MP's who can come and point out exactly, clearly and with skill, what the problem with him (and others) is. That's how healthy public debate work.

See also Hitler.

Perhaps Mumsnet can get him on for a webchat and hold him to account for past comments.

Seriously, this does show how brittle the political system has become. People are sick to death of the established parties. That's good news for anyone who does not feel represented by those parties, which I presume is most of us.

He's not good on most things he's a self serving cunt.

I pity The minorities in Rochdale, he will validate the local enforcers on all kinds of matters. From Planning Permission to restaurant hygiene and burkas.
I lived in Bethnal Green when he was MP. And we had Lutfur Rahman as Mayor.

Very well said!

Nicola Sturgeon used emotive language about a popular cause. It propelled her to First Minister. I think Indies will do well this Election (but not that well!)

He's a rabble rouser, pure and simple. And he appeals to the simples apparently.