Galloway returns to Parliament in sensational win in Bradford West - Labour/Coalition smashed

[mk12]

Apparently he mentioned the fact he didn't drink on his leaflets. I wonder why.

 

[weltweit]

I like Georgeous George Galloway.. good luck to him.

 

[Divisive Cotton]

Protest vote imo.
Voters displaying there thoughs on the current political environment.
Had it been a Home Counties seat then UKIP would have got in.

like in bethnal green in 2005?

 

[The39thStep]

Wouldn't get too carried away with al this as the previous highest turn around in a by election was the Bermondsey one in 1983 when voters decided to elect Simon Hughes with over a 50% swing.

Looking at the candidate lists for that by election good to see Fran Eden( great name btw) standing for the RCP. incidentally she was against the RCP position of calling for a ballot in the miners strike.

Also four far right candidates.

 

[The39thStep]

Apparently he mentioned the fact he didn't drink on his leaflets. I wonder why.

God knows who is a muslim

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Von: b.shaaban@mopa.gov.sy​

Reply-to: b.shaaban@mopa.gov.sy​

An: buthainak1@hotmail.co.uk​

Betreff: Fwd: IMPORTANT - private and confidential​

Datum: Sat, 14 Aug 2010 06:03:38 +0300 (14.08.2010 05:03:38)​

Your Excellency Dr Bouthaina Sha'aban​

Special Advisor to President Bashar al Asad​

President of the Syrian Arab Republic​

Your Excellency, dear Dr Sha'aban​

​

I hope this letter finds you well. Please be assured of my warmest fraternal greetings always. I am writing on behalf of Viva Palestina whose world-wide family of solidarity organisiations and registered charities will soon be setting out for beseiged Gaza again with our fifth convoy of aid. You will recall the outstanding assistance afforded us in Syria on previous occasions over the last period. I am writing once again to ask for Syria's co-operation although I do not doubt it for one moment. Syria is as I have often said is the last castle of Arab dignity. My only regret is to have to ask for your help again.​

This convoy sets out simulataneously on September 18th 2010 from London, from Casablanca and from the Gulf. The London and Gulf columns of vehicles would like to converge on Latakia and sail from there to Al Arish. The Casablanca column hopes to join us in Al Arish and we hope all three columns - hundreds of vehicles strong - will enter Gaza through Rafah without hinderance.​

The aid on board the vehicles will be 50% medical equipment and 50% educational, construction and other aid. The organisers of the convoy are Viva Palestina UK, Viva Palestina USA, Viva Palestina Arabia, Viva Palestina Malaysia, Viva Palestina Ireland, the Turkish NGO IHH,the International Committee to break the Seige on Gaza, Kia Ora - the Viva Palestina sister organisation in New Zealand, Viva Palestina Australia, Viva Palestina South Africa, Viva Palestina Spain, Viva Palestina Italia, and Viva Palestina France.​

It is intended that the vehicles and passengers should sail to Al Arish on board the Mavi Marmara, which as you know is owned by IHH. If His Excellency the President Bashar al Asad and his government can accept this proposal in principle perhaps you could nominate partner organisation(s) and individuals with whom my colleagues could liaise about the practical details? The liaison from our side would be Mr Kevin Ovenden and Mr Zaher Birawi of Viva Palestina UK (as we believe 2 is enough).​

In any case please convey my respect and my admiration to His Excellency the President.​

​

With all good wishes​

George Galloway​

wtf is that supposed to prove? That he's good at his job of getting supplies to Gaza?

Don't be so naive, Maurice. Detest him if you want, but detest him for real reasons, not this nonsense.

 

[JimW]

I've been drinking in the Last Castle of Dignity for years now.

 

[Maurice Picarda]

Just making it clear that his cosying up to Assad wasn't a one-off. His affection for a certain kind of Middle Eastern strongman is one of the good reasons to detest the man, anyway.

 

[redsquirrel]

Oh fuck off maurice - I am no galloway fan but he won fair and square becasue he actaully bothered to speak for what the voters cared about - the wars in the middle east and by offering genuine opposition to the violent austerity measures being shoved down people's throats.
And accusations over the oil for food thing was a blatent smear job by the same people who claimed Saddam had WMD - with similar levels of substance.
Go and cry over your signed Tony Blair photos.

Yep, and if nothing else his win is good for seeing the labour arseholes crying into their breakfasts.

 

[two sheds]

Just making it clear that his cosying up to Assad wasn't a one-off. His affection for a certain kind of Middle Eastern strongman is one of the good reasons to detest the man, anyway.

Well yes, in common with most MPs I'd imagine.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Just making it clear that his cosying up to Assad wasn't a one-off.

Was that 'cosying up' or someone who's good at his job using language he knows works to get something done? Reads like standard diplomat-speak arselicking to me.

If he had been writing on his own behalf, you would have a point, but he wasn't.

 

[coley]

Postal ballots are increasingly the key to getting the vote out. All parties focus on it.

Calls for an investigation within 48 hrs....any takers

 

[coley]

His attendance record in parliament is extremely good. You may be talking about his voting record - which reflects that he's not whipped.

He should be

 

[Firky]

Made me laugh when I was reading the BBC website this morning. He's still a politician though and "if voting changed anything blah blah..."

Still be interesting how the main parties re-act to this.

10,000+

 

[butchersapron]

Was that 'cosying up' or someone who's good at his job using language he knows works to get something done? Reads like standard diplomat-speak arselicking to me.

If he had been writing on his own behalf, you would have a point, but he wasn't.

Did you read the quote Barney provided on the previous page? He was a consistent supporter of baathism for many years.

 

[butchersapron]

Two reactions: 1) coalition shitting it over the potential for anti-cuts/pro-NHS candidates to do well - esp the decapitation strategy. 2) Common ground for a broad Left movement swinging back to primarily working within established parliamentary lines in run up to 2015.

 

[Balbi]

Any other groups expecting similar anti-big two (and LD) swing in elections future should remember that they don't have the visibility and talent for oratory that Galloway has. He's a known, national, quantity.

 

[Idris2002]

Winning a shock byelection victory in Bradford is rather like making love to a beautiful woman.

 

[butchersapron]

3) Lib-dem/tory vote in urban areas is in big trouble

 

[butchersapron]

Any other groups expecting similar anti-big two (and LD) swing in elections future should remember that they don't have the visibility and talent for oratory that Galloway has. He's a known, national, quantity.

Did people vote on the basis of that visibility and oratory though? How many people saw or heard him?

 

[past caring]

So where's old JHE this morning? Still crying in his cornflakes?

 

[Balbi]

Did people vote on the basis of that visibility and oratory though? How many people saw or heard him?

Given his tactic of holding big public meetings, his massive bloody battle bus arrangement - i'd say he got seen and heard more than his opponents. Labour ran a leaflet and door knocker campaign. Galloway went to see and talk to people, playing to his strength.

 

[Smokeandsteam]

2) Common ground for a broad Left movement swinging back to primarily working within established parliamentary lines in run up to 2015.

That straw will undoubtably be clutched firmly.

 

[weltweit]

I suppose you have seen this:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17558159
Galloways acceptance speech.

 

[butchersapron]

Given his tactic of holding big public meetings, his massive bloody battle bus arrangement - i'd say he got seen and heard more than his opponents. Labour ran a leaflet and door knocker campaign. Galloway went to see and talk to people, playing to his strength.

Is that why people voted for him though? Because they saw him? Surely the labour doorstep campaign would see just as many if not more people - esp given the existing labour on-the-ground network.

 

[Divisive Cotton]

Two reactions: 1) coalition shitting it over the potential for anti-cuts/pro-NHS candidates to do well - esp the decapitation strategy.

I certainly agree with this point

 

[butchersapron]

That straw will undoubtably be clutched firmly.

I wonder who was on the phone to GG first - Rees or Smith?

 

[Spanky Longhorn]

Rees

 

[Balbi]

Is that why people voted for him though? Because they saw him? Surely the labour doorstep campaign would see just as many if not more people - esp given the existing labour on-the-ground network.

Maybe would see them, but not be as electrifying to people as a meeting, either public or in houses as Galloway was doing. Reminiscent of the New Hampshire primary campaigns for President. That and his message was bang on with what people cared about in Bradford.

 

[articul8]

Rees

At one stage, tempers became so frayed that - according to one online account - Galloway told SWP supporters to 'fuck off, the lot of you'.

His finest hour