Intimidated by Galloway's pro-Palestine stance, Sunak 'alarmed' by win
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Sunak claims that there has been a "shocking increase in extremist disruption and criminality" in recent months.
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George Galloway, center, holds a rally at his Rochdale headquarters after being declared winner of the Rochdale by-election in Rochdale, England, on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. (AP)
Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has commented on George Galloway's victory in the Rochdale by-election, calling it "beyond alarming".
Sunak claimed that there has been a "shocking increase in extremist disruption and criminality" in recent months.
The PM reported that “what started as protests on our streets have descended into intimidation, threats, and planned acts of violence."
Sunak expressed that democracy itself was being targeted in the country, calling George Galloway's win in the Rochdale by-election "beyond alarming".
I will do whatever it takes to defend our democracy and our values. https://t.co/TPA13Zkye2
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) February 28, 2024
He accused Galloway of "dismissing the horror of what happened on October 7" and glorifying "Hezbollah and is endorsed by Nick Griffin, the racist former leader of the BNP.”
He called for unity, detailing that the country should be prepared to "combat the forces of division" and beat the "poison", not allowing "extremists" to tear the country apart.
Responding to Sunak's comments, Galloway accused him of "treading a dangerous road" and called the Workers Party of Britain an "antidote to extremism."
Former Labour MP George Galloway swept to victory in the Rochdale by-election in Greater Manchester on Friday.
Labour MP’s tweeting negatively about George Galloway are insulting the voters of Rochdale.
— Jules #FreeAssange #FreePalestine🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸 (@celtjules66) March 1, 2024
These people are so far removed about the views of the public that they don’t deserve to be elected.
I hope this is the beginning of the end for these charlatans.
Galloway secured an impressive victory with 12,335 votes - 39.7% of the total - surpassing predictions and establishing a significant 5,697-vote majority.
He surpassed the second-placed independent candidate David Tully, while Conservative Paul Simon Ellison came in third and the former Labour candidate, Azhar Ali, came in fourth after losing support from the opposition party over accusations against "Israel".
"[Labout Party leader] Keir Starmer, this is for Gaza," he said in his victory speech. During his campaign, Galloway criticized both Labour and the Conservatives for their support of the Israeli occupation entity in its war on Gaza.
“Keir Starmer. This is for Gaza.”
— Darshna Soni (@darshnasoni) March 1, 2024
George Galloway victory speech. He says his victory is a warning for Keir Starmer that Labour has lost the confidence of their voters. #RochdaleByElection pic.twitter.com/wNPMs96cwN
"You will pay a high price for the role that you have played in enabling, encouraging and covering for the catastrophe presently going on in occupied Gaza, in the Gaza Strip."
This marks Galloway's seventh parliamentary win and poses a challenge to Labour, a party he was once part of but was expelled from for criticizing then-Prime Minister Tony Blair over the Iraq war.
Galloway's victory marks the inaugural representation of his left-wing Workers Party of Britain in parliament.
His unwavering support for Palestine and Gaza throughout his career has naturally caused tension between him and both American and British politics. He has spoken publicly during conferences and events to remind the public of the atrocities being carried out in Gaza and Palestine by "Israel", and he has walked out during multiple meetings in refusal of debating with Israelis.
He currently hosts a talk show on YouTube called Mother of All Talk Shows (MOATS), in which he tackles global political matters, but the main highlight concerns Gaza. He also has a show on Al Mayadeen called Kalima Horra, in which he also talks about the same matters.
