George Galloway vote wasn’t 'a mistake' - arrogant response of leaders might be
Early hours of Friday morning and up pops one of those election “experts” assuring puzzled viewers: “Galloway is not that big of a deal.” These people just get more and more wrong, don’t they?
A few hours after Mr Galloway’s win in Rochdale – more of that in a second – and our politicians began behaving strangely. First, Mr Starmer apologised to the people of Rochdale. Fair enough, although a little unnecessary. A touch of arrogance, too – it’s all Labour’s doing for not fielding a candidate, etc. No allowance for the agency of the people of Rochdale.
Still, it was nothing compared to the PM. I can’t describe the sort of language that went around when he decided to call a press conference at 5.45pm. “Who in their right mind calls a press conference at teatime on a Friday? In Downing Street? When it’s raining?” one staffer said to me. “It has to be an election.”
It wasn’t an election. Rather, one of the most bewildering, rambling, pointless speeches I’ve ever seen. Mr Sunak, bizarrely spooked by Mr Galloway, talked for a decent 10 minutes about the threat to UK democracy we’re currently facing.
I don’t think we are. Neither does Amnesty. I’d like to run their quote in full because of its importance: “The overwhelmingly peaceful protests about mass atrocities in Gaza must not be conflated with extremism. People are protesting because of the terrifyingly high civilian death toll in Gaza, which is still mounting inexorably, and the Government’s lack of action for an immediate ceasefire to stem the unbearable suffering.
Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade
Spooker of the House“The threat to impose yet more restrictions on people’s right to peacefully protest is deeply worrying and suggests the Government is determined to silence those who may disagree with its policies. This is entirely in line with the chaotic patchwork of legislation and sweeping policing powers we have seen in recent years.”
If you can't see the poll, click here
And there you go. On the back of what happened in Rochdale, the Government – the Establishment – reacts. Whatever you think of Mr Galloway (and there’s not room here to take in all the opinions), it was a democratic, above-board election. Yep, some tricks were played – but everyone who’s ever taken part in an election has played tricks.
Labour reckon they’ll win Rochdale back next time. Meantime, Mr Galloway will be box office. Despite campaigning on local issues, Gaza was the main thrust and he won’t let it go. National platform now.
I don’t like the suggestion that the people of Rochdale didn’t know what they were doing. Very Westminster approach when something happens that “shouldn’t”. It’s all changed. People vote for inexplicable things: Brexit. Donald Trump. Bill Bailey in Strictly…
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
