Quite understandably, the Labour Party (having successfully 'managed expectations') is relieved at the result in Batley and Spen. It, and everybody who believes in pluralism, democracy and fidelity to the truth, should , however, be concerned about the level of support for George Galloway. To describe him as an extreme reactionary in progressive disguise is an understatement. He is a proven fantasist and conspiracy theorist. This ostensible friend of Muslims denies Chinese persecution of the Uighurs and the reality of the murderous Syrian regime. Yet more than 8,000 voters considered that this egregious charlatan was worth voting for.
During his campaign he not only took advantage of supposed Muslim discontent over Labour policies on Palestine and Kashmir (both unchanged from the Corbyn and, indeed, the Miliband eras) but cynically exploited Alexander's 'culture wars' or 'the war on woke' to appeal to authoritarian and reactionary elements in the electorate. You might argue that these people should be represented ; but if we think that a society is at all desirable in which everybody 'rubs along' together, they should not control public discourse. Yet, these 'culture wars' can only lead to ever more division and conflict, as the passions on which they are nurtured can never been sated. (To its shame, Labour stooped to Galloway's extremely low level by issuing a leaflet which attacked Modi as a.) Islamophobic and b.) a friend of Alexander and the Tories. Both these contentions are true, but in the atmosphere of Batley and Spen such arguments are the same as shouting fire in a crowded theatre ; and Labour is extremely disingenuous if it claims not to have known that this was the case).
Galloway probably intends to stand in Leicester if the sitting (now independent, formerly Labour) MP, Claudia Webbe, is forced to resign. One shudders to think what damage he could do to the hard-won multicultural peace of that city.