Respect supporters in party mood after Bradford’s ‘political earthquake’

TWO THOUSAND George Galloway supporters celebrated his by-election success last night at a victory rally in Bradford.

The crowd was entertained in Infirmary Fields, Manningham, with music, food and games before Mr Galloway arrived on his parade bus to speak.

The MP, a 33-1 outsider before achieving one of the most remarkable by-election results in British politics, thanked his supporters and called on them to stand for the party in the Bradford City Council elections in May.

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His party, Respect, aims to have a candidate in each of the wards to capitalise on the huge interest generated this week.

Mr Galloway spoke for around half an hour, railing against the establishment, Westminster and the media, as well as attacking the city council and its record.

He also called on people to vote Yes in the directly elected mayor referendum. The controversial Government policy has struggle to gain much momentum in West Yorkshire, and Mr Galloway believes that if a Yes vote is achieved, his supporters could “have a major say in who that mayor is”.

He said: “You have a political leader that you can believe in – as opposed to the double talking, double dealing three lame parties.This was a campaign that has never been seen in British politics. We caused a political earthquake.

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“Never will they underestimate me again. Never will they underestimate you again.”

Labour went into the contest – sparked by the resignation due to ill-health of Marsha Singh – the overwhelming favourites with bookmakers.

However, Respect swept from fifth place at the 2010 general election to a commanding victory, with a 36.59 per cent swing to the ex-Labour anti-war campaigner, securing a 10,000 plus majority.

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