George Galloway is confident of becoming the next MP for Rochdale as voters go to the polls in the town’s by-election.
The Workers Party of Britain candidate, who was expelled from the Labour Party in 2003, is the bookies’ favourite, following the implosion of Labour’s campaign.
Labour withdrew its support from its candidate, Azhar Ali, over his suggestion Israel was complicit in the massacre of its own people on 7 October. The party no longer has a candidate.
Rishi Sunak used Mr Galloway and Mr Ali to accuse Keir Starmer of making “antisemites” Labour candidates at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.
The prime minister said voters in the Greater Manchester town would have the choice of “three former Labour candidates, two of which are antisemites”.
“We expel antisemites, he makes them Labour candidates,” he said.
Mr Galloway and Mr Ali deny being antisemitic.
Simon Danczuk, an ex-Labour MP for Rochdale who is standing for the right-wing challenger party, has accused Mr Galloway’s campaign of “whipping people into a frenzy”.
Other candidates are Iain Donaldson (Liberal Democrats), Paul Ellison (Conservatives), Michael Howarth (Independent), William Howarth (Independent), Ravin Rodent Subortna (Official Monster Raving Loony Party) and David Tully (Independent).
Key timings in the Rochdale by-election
Voters go to the polls tomorrow in a by-election called after the death of Labour MP Sir Tony Lloyd.
Polling stations will open at 7am and close at 10pm, with the result expected early on Friday morning.
We’ll be bringing you all the latest updates throughout the day and into Friday morning.
Why Lee Anderson is accused of Islamophobia
Rochdale by-election: Chaotic contest overshadowed by antisemitism row and Gaza war leaves voters frustrated
Once a Labour safe-seat, Rochdale is facing a chaotic byelection this week where the party isn’t represented at all, writes Zoe Grunewald.
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Reform candidate blames George Galloway for ‘whipping up division’ in Rochdale after receiving death threat
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ICYMI: Has Labour’s Rochdale debacle gifted George Galloway an open goal?
What was set to be a straightforward contest to replace the late Labour MP Tony Lloyd, who died of blood cancer aged 73, has been mired by a series of scandals. Archie Mitchell asks how we got here, and what will happen next.
Full report below:
What could happen if George Galloway wins the Rochdale by-election?
This Thursday’s vote in a deprived town in Greater Manchester has generated something of a circus in recent weeks. Sean O’Grady looks at what a Galloway win could mean, not just for Rochdale but for British politics as a whole.
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Scheme to insulate 300,000 homes over 3 years helps just 2,900 in first 8 months
A government scheme aimed at insulating 300,000 homes in three years in a bid to reduce energy bills has only helped 2,900 homes in its first eight months.
Ministers are now assessing whether the programme – the £1bn Great British Insulation Scheme – is viable, The Times reports.
“The government knows that the scheme isn’t working and isn’t going to work in its current form,” an industry source told the paper. “The question they still haven’t answered is what they’re going to do instead.”
File photo: A home being insulated
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File photo: A home being insulated
40% of Labour’s key target voters still undecided – poll
Some 40 per cent of key voters targeted by Labour remain undecided about who to back at the next election, according to a poll.
A YouGov survey for Labour Together, seen by i news, found two groups of key voters – Workington Man and Stevenage Woman – are yet to be conviced by Keir Starmer’s party.
The poll did, however, show that the opposition maintains a commanding overall leader over the Conservative Party – 42 per cent vs 22 per cent,
Rishi Sunak refuses to back Post Office chief under investigation
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Government ‘missing the point’ over new £31 million security measures for MPs
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