RESIDENTS of Rochdale took to the polls today in what’s been dubbed the most toxic by-election in decades.
Tens of thousands are expected to vote in a chaotic contest dominated by Gaza.
ReutersA man walks past a polling station sign as voting begins in the Rochdale[/caption]
ReutersThe by-election has been dubbed one of Britain’s most toxic in decades[/caption]
ReutersGeorge Galloway, leader of the Workers Party of Britain, is a frontrunner in the chaotic contest[/caption]
The maverick Workers Party of Britain Leader, George Galloway, emerged as a front-runner in the race, basing the vast majority of his campaign around Palestine.
The ex-Labour MP focused on seizing support of Rochdale’s 30 per Muslim population.
Over the years Mr Galloway has been slammed by politicians across the Commons as “antisemitic” and “sexist”.
Another former Labour MP vying for the seat, Simon Danczuk, has also crept up the polls.
The Reform candidate, who was kicked out of Labour for sexting a 17-year-old, based his campaign on a patriotic platform of “Rochdale not Gaza”.
Labour’s man Azhar Ali went underground after having the whip removed over antisemitic comments.
But he will still appear on the ballot paper and could sweep through based on residents not being aware he no longer commands the support of Sir Keir Starmer.
The by-election result is expected at around 3am on Friday.
The Tories and Lib Dems didn’t run major campaign operations in the contest triggered by the death of Sir Tony Lloyd.
During weeks of campaigning rhetoric from Mr Galloway’s camp turned increasingly nasty.
The Workers Party of Britain chief accused Labour MPs of “dripping in blood” because their ceasefire amendment wasn’t strong enough.
Earlier this week a 23-year-old man was arrested after being alleged to have sent a death threat to Mr Danczuk.
The Reform candidate had to hire security guards for the last two days of campaigning.
Today Reform chief Richard Tice said: “Vote the brilliant Simon Danczuk today in the Rochdale by election.
“Lets stop the dreadful divisive Galloway.”
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