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Sunak takes aim at Starmer: 'We expel antisemites, he makes them Labour candidates'
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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”.
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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).
Recommended Sunak says Lee Anderson comments were wrong but denies Conservative party has ‘Islamophobic tendencies’ Tory minister suggests Lee Anderson could return despite ‘repugnant’ rant about Sadiq Khan ‘I’m too scared to leave my house’: Muslim fears as Islamophobic incidents skyrocket by 365%
Key Points Sunak criticises Starmer's record on antisemitism ahead of vote PM: Conservative Party ‘expel antisemites, he makes them Labour candidates’ Man arrested on suspicion of death threat against Reform candidate
Show latest update 24 minutes ago 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.
Zoe Tidman reports from Rochdale below:
Rochdale voters frustrated as by-election overshadowed by antisemitism row and Gaza Once a Labour safe-seat, Rochdale is facing a chaotic byelection this week where the party isn’t represented at all, writes Zoe Grunewald
Zoe Tidman 29 February 2024 05:00
2 hours ago 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:
When is the Rochdale by-election and who are the candidates? An asntisemitism row forced Labour to drop its candidate for a by-election in Rochdale in two weeks’ time
Matt Mathers 29 February 2024 03:00
6 hours ago 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.
Katy Clifton 28 February 2024 22:42
11 hours ago Why Lee Anderson is accused of Islamophobia
Lee Anderson: Why is the Tory MP and GB News host being accused of Islamophobia? The Ashfield MP has been suspended from the Conservative party following his comments on GB News
Jane Dalton 28 February 2024 18:02
12 hours ago 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:
Rochdale voters frustrated as by-election overshadowed by antisemitism row and Gaza Once a Labour safe-seat, Rochdale is facing a chaotic byelection this week where the party isn’t represented at all, writes Zoe Grunewald
Matt Mathers 28 February 2024 16:30
13 hours ago Reform candidate blames George Galloway for ‘whipping up division’ in Rochdale after receiving death threat
Reform UK’s Rochdale by-election candidate has said George Galloway’s rival campaign is “whipping” people “into a frenzy” after he received a death threat on social media.
Simon Danczuk, an ex-Labour MP for Rochdale who is now standing for the right-wing challenger party, received a string of direct messages on social media and a video where an online troll appears to threaten to gun him down.
Full report:
Reform candidate blames George Galloway for ‘whipping up division’ Mr Danczuk has blamed George Galloway’s campaign for ‘whipping up division’ in Rochdale
Matt Mathers 28 February 2024 15:59
13 hours ago 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:
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 Mathers 28 February 2024 15:58
13 hours ago 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:
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
Matt Mathers 28 February 2024 15:56
14 hours ago 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 Mathers 28 February 2024 15:15
14 hours ago 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 Mathers 28 February 2024 15:00
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More about Mark Harper Rishi Sunak Conservative Party Sadiq Khan Islamophobia Lee Anderson keir starmer George Galloway
1/ 1George Galloway fights for votes in Rochdale by-election - live
George Galloway fights for votes in Rochdale by-election - live
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