George Galloway to stand in the Manchester Gorton by-election as an independent George Galloway has accused Labour of being a “divided, ineffective opposition” as he announced he will stand in the Manchester […]

George Galloway has accused Labour of being a “divided, ineffective opposition” as he announced he will stand in the Manchester Gorton by-election as an independent – and claims he will seek to put Tony Blair on trial for war crimes if he wins.

The former MP, who was expelled from Labour in 2003 and scored a stunning victory over the party when he won in Bradford West as the Respect Party candidate in 2012, is now seeking to take inner-city Gorton from his former party.

The Manchester Gorton by-election follows the death of Labour MP Sir Gerald Kaufman, who had held the seat since 1983. Labour are yet to reveal their candidate.

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Whether it’s my speeches in Parliament or on the streets, my films, my TV shows, my radio shows, my work on social media where I have over a million followers, when I’m fighting for Gorton everyone will know about it. Everyone will have to listen. George Galloway

Mr Galloway said he decided to stand because of his “admiration” for Sir Gerald. He has also pledged to put former Prime Minister Tony Blair on trial for war crimes.

Writing on political website Westmonster, he said: “I have decided to seek election for Manchester Gorton in the forthcoming by-election precisely because of my admiration for its late MP and I hope to persuade voters of every background that I am the best person to try to fill his shoes.

“I want to continue his work on international issues – which are particularly important in Gorton – especially the issues of Palestine and Kashmir but also the broader questions, the dangerous confrontation between the west and the Muslim world which threatens all of us.

“I would like to be the big voice for Manchester Gorton it still needs.”

‘War crimes’

He added: “I opposed Tony Blair with all my heart and soul and paid for it with my expulsion from the party in 2003 – after 36 years of membership.

“This week is the 14th anniversary of the Iraq War against which I was one of the leaders of the greatest mass movements ever seen in this country.

“I make it plain here – if I am re-elected to Parliament I will seek to put Mr Blair on trial for war crimes, crimes against humanity and lying to the British Parliament and people.”

The seat has been held by Labour since 1935. Sir Gerald was re-elected in 2015 with a majority of more than 24,000 votes.

Mr Galloway, 62, who lost his Bradford West seat in 2015, said he has a long connection with Manchester and two of his children live there.

He added: “It’s true, I’m not local but then neither was Sir Matt Busby. Neither was Sir Alex Ferguson nor Pep Guardiola nor Jose Mourinho. Like them I want to work for you, for Gorton, for Manchester.”

‘Everyone will have to listen’

Mr Galloway, who appeared in Celebrity Big Brother in 2006, said: “I think you already know that when I’m fighting for something everybody knows about it.

“Whether it’s my speeches in Parliament or on the streets, my films, my TV shows, my radio shows, my work on social media where I have over a million followers, when I’m fighting for Gorton everyone will know about it. Everyone will have to listen.

“I have been six times elected to Parliament and I don’t think even my worst enemy would deny my impact there.”

He added: “We know that Labour is divided, an ineffective opposition still busy fighting each other, there is a danger that the people of Gorton will never be heard from at Westminster again.”

‘People in Manchester deserve better’

The only other candidates to announce so far are Jackie Pearcey for the Liberal Democrats and Jess Mayo for the Greens.

Tim Farron said “divisive” Mr Galloway would increase the Liberal Democrats’ chances of winning.

He said: “While George Galloway won’t pick up enough votes to win, he clearly will take a number of votes from Labour. That increases our chances of winning as the only party that can beat Labour in Manchester Gorton.

“His decision to enter the race is yet another consequence of the chronic splits and weak leadership in the Labour party. People in Manchester want change, they deserve better than a failed politician and a failing Labour party.”

Lisa Nandy, the Labour MP for Wigan, said Mr Galloway’s decision to stand in the election was “self-serving” and “offers nothing” to the community.

She said: “Manchester Gorton deserves and MP who, like the late Sir Gerald Kaufman, will work tirelessly for their constituents and is Manchester through and through.

“He has already been rejected by the people of Bradford and London and I’m confident that residents in Manchester will send a clear message that Galloway’s divisive, destructive politics isn’t welcome here.”