The former Labour MP will return to parliament, representing his fourth constituency in 37 years
Full story: George Galloway wins Rochdale byelection
Reform UK finished in sixth place with only 6.3% of the vote. A Reform UK source told the Guardian the party had under-performed due to logistics: the Rochdale contest was the third byelection it had fought in three weeks and it had been focusing on its party conference in Doncaster last weekend.
Richard Tice, leader of Reform, speaking at the election count, said the poll in Rochdale had “not been a free and fair election”.
What we witnessed here is deeply disturbing. Our candidate and campaign team have been subjected to death threats, vile racist abuse, been refused entry to hustings in council buildings and had to be re-located for their own safety.
We are supposed to be a beacon of democracy, this shameful contest has been more characteristic of a failed state.”
George Galloway (WPB) – 12,335
David Tully (Ind) – 6,638
Paul Ellison (Con) – 3,731
Azhar Ali (on the ballot as Lab) – 2,402
Iain Donaldson (LD) – 2,164
Simon Danczuk (Reform) – 1,968
William Howarth (Ind) – 523
Mark Coleman (Ind) – 455
Guy Otten (Green) – 436
Michael Howarth (Ind) – 246
Ravin Rodent Subortna (Loony) – 209
Continue reading…The former Labour MP will return to parliament, representing his fourth constituency in 37 yearsFull story: George Galloway wins Rochdale byelectionReform UK finished in sixth place with only 6.3% of the vote. A Reform UK source told the Guardian the party had under-performed due to logistics: the Rochdale contest was the third byelection it had fought in three weeks and it had been focusing on its party conference in Doncaster last weekend.Richard Tice, leader of Reform, speaking at the election count, said the poll in Rochdale had “not been a free and fair election”.What we witnessed here is deeply disturbing. Our candidate and campaign team have been subjected to death threats, vile racist abuse, been refused entry to hustings in council buildings and had to be re-located for their own safety.We are supposed to be a beacon of democracy, this shameful contest has been more characteristic of a failed state.”George Galloway (WPB) – 12,335David Tully (Ind) – 6,638Paul Ellison (Con) – 3,731Azhar Ali (on the ballot as Lab) – 2,402Iain Donaldson (LD) – 2,164Simon Danczuk (Reform) – 1,968William Howarth (Ind) – 523Mark Coleman (Ind) – 455Guy Otten (Green) – 436Michael Howarth (Ind) – 246Ravin Rodent Subortna (Loony) – 209 Continue reading…