- By Jennifer McKiernan
- BBC political reporter
George Galloway, who won the Rochdale by-election, takes his seat in the House of Commons.
George Galloway has been sworn in as the new MP for Rochdale following his by-election win.
The Workers Party of Britain leader said he was “feeling good” as he arrived in Parliament on Monday.
“I’ve always loved the building – the people in it not quite so much.”
Mirroring that view, Conservative minister Bim Afolami told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “We’re going to have to endure him and that is really the fault of the Labour party.”
Mr Galloway was sworn in by the Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle before business got under way in the House of Commons.
He was escorted by the Father of the House Peter Bottomley and Neale Hanvey, the Westminster Leader of the Alba Party.
Mainstream parties were beaten into third place after a chaotic campaign, sparked by the death of Labour MP Sir Tony Lloyd, with independent and local businessman Dave Tully taking second place.
Mr Galloway has previously been an MP for Labour until 2003, when he was expelled from the party. He then sat in the Commons as an independent and Respect Party MP for three constituencies between 2003 and 2015.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Galloway only won in Rochdale because Labour withdrew support from its own candidate about a fortnight before polling day.
Mr Galloway, 69, has long campaigned for causes in the Middle East and the first words of his victory speech in Rochdale were “Keir Starmer: This is for Gaza”.
He refused to condemn Hamas when quizzed by the BBC’s political editor Chris Mason.
Following his win, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was “very concerned” at reports of intimidation during what he labelled “one of the most divisive campaigns we’ve seen in recent times”.
The PM is twice asked if he welcomes, or is worried by, the return of George Galloway to the Commons after his by-election win.
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
