Sunak takes aim at Starmer: ‘We expel antisemites, he makes them Labour candidates’
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).
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.
Read the full report here:
Matt Mathers28 February 2024 16:30
Reform candidate blames George Galloway for ‘whipping up division’ in Rochdale after receiving death threat
Matt Mathers28 February 2024 15:59
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.
Matt Mathers28 February 2024 15:58
When is the Rochdale by-election and who are the candidates?
Here are the 11 candidates in the running for election in the Greater Manchester town:
Matt Mathers28 February 2024 15:57
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.
Read the piece in full here:
Matt Mathers28 February 2024 15:56
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
(PA Wire)
Matt Mathers28 February 2024 15:15
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,
Matt Mathers28 February 2024 15:00
Rishi Sunak refuses to back Post Office chief under investigation
Matt Mathers28 February 2024 14:45
Government ‘missing the point’ over new £31 million security measures for MPs
Matt Mathers28 February 2024 14:27
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.
