Workers Party of Britain: Difference between revisions
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| founder = [[George Galloway]] |
| founder = [[George Galloway]] |
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| ideology = [[Socialism]]<ref>{{Cite web |title= Rochdale by-election 2024: Who are the Workers’ Party of Britain? |url= https://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/news/01032024-who-are-the-workers-party-of-britain/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Mancunian Matters|language=en}}</ref><br/>[[Left-wing populism]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Batley and Spen: this is bigger than red v blue |url=https://www.spiked-online.com/2021/06/10/batley-and-spen-this-is-bigger-than-red-v-blue/ |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Spiked |language=en-GB}}</ref><br>[[Unionism in the United Kingdom|British unionism]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Batley by-election: Will the Palestine issue destroy Keir Starmer's leadership? |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/uk-labour-palestine-destroy-keir-starmer-leadership |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Middle East Eye |language=en}}</ref><br>[[Social conservatism]]<ref>{{Cite web |title= Rochdale by-election 2024: Who are the Workers’ Party of Britain? |url= https://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/news/01032024-who-are-the-workers-party-of-britain/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Mancunian Matters|language=en}}</ref><br/> |
| ideology = [[Socialism]]<ref>{{Cite web |title= Rochdale by-election 2024: Who are the Workers’ Party of Britain? |url= https://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/news/01032024-who-are-the-workers-party-of-britain/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Mancunian Matters|language=en}}</ref><br/>[[Left-wing populism]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Batley and Spen: this is bigger than red v blue |url=https://www.spiked-online.com/2021/06/10/batley-and-spen-this-is-bigger-than-red-v-blue/ |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Spiked |language=en-GB}}</ref><br>[[Unionism in the United Kingdom|British unionism]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Batley by-election: Will the Palestine issue destroy Keir Starmer's leadership? |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/uk-labour-palestine-destroy-keir-starmer-leadership |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Middle East Eye |language=en}}</ref><br>[[Social conservatism]]<ref>{{Cite web |title= Rochdale by-election 2024: Who are the Workers’ Party of Britain? |url= https://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/news/01032024-who-are-the-workers-party-of-britain/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Mancunian Matters|language=en}}</ref><br/> |
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[[Republicanism]] |
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| position = [[Far-left]]<ref name="Politics Home, January 2024">{{cite news |last= Batchelor-Hunt |first= Nadine |date= 27 January 2024 |title= Labour Fears Extremists Will Target Rochdale By-Election |url= https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/rochdale-byelection-could-become-toxic-labour |work= Politics Home |access-date= 3 February 2024}}</ref><ref name="Reuters, February 2024">{{cite news |last= Noble |first= Phil |date= 28 February 2024 |title= Despondency and Gaza dominate election in northern England's Rochdale |url= https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/despondency-gaza-dominate-election-northern-englands-rochdale-2024-02-28/ |work= Reuters |access-date= 29 February 2024}}</ref> |
| position = [[Far-left]]<ref name="Politics Home, January 2024">{{cite news |last= Batchelor-Hunt |first= Nadine |date= 27 January 2024 |title= Labour Fears Extremists Will Target Rochdale By-Election |url= https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/rochdale-byelection-could-become-toxic-labour |work= Politics Home |access-date= 3 February 2024}}</ref><ref name="Reuters, February 2024">{{cite news |last= Noble |first= Phil |date= 28 February 2024 |title= Despondency and Gaza dominate election in northern England's Rochdale |url= https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/despondency-gaza-dominate-election-northern-englands-rochdale-2024-02-28/ |work= Reuters |access-date= 29 February 2024}}</ref> |
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| seats1_title = {{nowrap|[[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]]}} |
| seats1_title = {{nowrap|[[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]]}} |
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Revision as of 10:25, 1 March 2024
Workers Party of Britain | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader | George Galloway |
| Deputy Leaders | Andy Hudd Chris Williamson Peter Ford |
| Founder | George Galloway |
| Founded | December 2019 |
| Ideology | Socialism[1] Left-wing populism[2] British unionism[3] Social conservatism[4] Republicanism |
| Political position | Far-left[5][6] |
| House of Commons | 1 / 650 |
| Website | |
| workerspartybritain | |
The Workers Party of Britain (WPB) is a Left-wing populist political party in the United Kingdom, formed in December 2019 and led by George Galloway, the Member of Parliament for Rochdale since a 2024 by-election.
History
The Workers Party of Britain was founded in response to the Labour Party's landslide defeat at the 2019 United Kingdom general election and the resignation of Jeremy Corbyn as Leader of the Labour Party.[7] It was formed with a commitment to "defend the achievements of the people of Great Britain."
The WPB contested its first parliamentary seat at the 2021 Batley and Spen by-election, with Galloway as its candidate.[7] Galloway gained 8,264 votes (21.9%) and came in third, behind the winning Labour candidate Kim Leadbeater and second placed Conservative candidate Ryan Stephenson. The Lib Dems came in fourth place, as they did in the previous election.[8] Galloway concentrated on the issues of the Palestinian territories, the Kashmir conflict, criticism of Labour leader Keir Starmer, the suspension of a teacher for showing a cartoon of Muhammad at Batley Grammar School, and the reopening of a police station in Batley.[9][10][11] The campaign received considerable media attention due to incidents of harassment during its final days.[12][13][14][15]
The Jewish Labour Movement called the result a "triumph for hope and decency" over Galloway's "toxic politics". Galloway vowed to challenge the result on the basis of an alleged "false statement" made about him by Leadbeater and Starmer, which he said tipped the result of the by-election.[16][17]
In March 2021, the party stood its first candidate for elected office, Paul Burrows, in the by-election for Helensburgh and Lomond South ward on Argyll and Bute Council.[18] Burrows came last out of six, gaining 22 votes (0.9%).[19]
In the 2021 United Kingdom local elections, the party stood more than 40 candidates for local elections in England.[citation needed]
The party contested the Almond ward of Edinburgh council in the 2022 Scottish local elections, and came second to last with 61 first preference votes (0.4%).[20]
In the 2022 local elections, Workers Party candidate Ed Woollard achieved 15% of the vote in the Bordesley and Highgate ward of Birmingham.[21]
In July 2023, former Labour MP Chris Williamson joined the Workers Party of Britain.[22][non-primary source needed] The party has defended Williamson, who was suspended from the Labour Party for his comments about antisemitism allegations in the Labour Party, and Ken Livingstone, who left the party following allegations of antisemitism.[23]
At the party's Congress in December 2023, Galloway was re-elected party leader. Three deputy leaders were elected – Chris Williamson, Andy Hudd (Vice President of the ASLEF) and Peter Ford (former Ambassador to Bahrain and Syria).[24][non-primary source needed]
On 29 February 2024 Galloway won the 2024 Rochdale by-election.[25] The Israel–Hamas war dominated the campaign. In his election speech, Galloway said “Keir Starmer, this is for Gaza. You will pay a high price for the role that you have played in enabling, encouraging and covering for the catastrophe presently going on in occupied Gaza, in the Gaza Strip".[26][27] Galloway won almost 40% of the vote and overturned a previous Labour majority of 9,668 after Labour withdrew all support for their candidate amidst accusations of anti-semitism.[28]
Platform
The party describes itself as "economically radical with an independent foreign policy" and "unequivocally committed to class politics".[29][30][non-primary source needed] It has expressed support for a planned economy. In May 2021, Galloway described the party as "the working-class patriotic alternative to fake woke anti-British 'Labour'".[31] The party is also critical of NATO and European Union membership, with a policy of withdrawal.[32][non-primary source needed]
Election results
Senedd elections
| Year | Votes | % | Seats | Misc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 411 | 0.04% | 0/60 | Contested South Wales Central (0.2%) |
Scottish Parliament elections
| Year | Votes | % | Seats | Misc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 23,299 | 0.9% | 0/129 | As part of All for Unity, contested all regional ballots |
UK parliamentary by-elections
| Year | Votes | Candidate | % | Seat | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,264 | George Galloway | 21.9% | Batley and Spen | 3rd |
| 2024 | 12,335 | 39.7% | Rochdale | 1st |
UK local elections
| Year | Votes | Candidate | % | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | TBD | John Hamilton | TBD | Mayor of Lewisham[33] |
Notable members
- George Galloway, founder and leader of the WPB, formerly an MP 1987–2005 (for Labour and as an independent), then 2005–2010 and 2012–2015 (both for the Respect Party)
- Chris Williamson, former Labour MP for Derby North (2017–2019) (joined July 2023, according to the party)[34][non-primary source needed]
- Brian Travers, former bandmember of UB40. Died 22 August 2021.[35][non-primary source needed]
- Peter Ford, former British ambassador to Bahrain (1999–2003) and Syria (2003–2006)[24][non-primary source needed]
References
- ^ "Rochdale by-election 2024: Who are the Workers' Party of Britain?". Mancunian Matters. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ "Batley and Spen: this is bigger than red v blue". Spiked. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
- ^ "Batley by-election: Will the Palestine issue destroy Keir Starmer's leadership?". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
- ^ "Rochdale by-election 2024: Who are the Workers' Party of Britain?". Mancunian Matters. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ Batchelor-Hunt, Nadine (27 January 2024). "Labour Fears Extremists Will Target Rochdale By-Election". Politics Home. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
- ^ Noble, Phil (28 February 2024). "Despondency and Gaza dominate election in northern England's Rochdale". Reuters. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ a b Norfolk, Andrew (22 June 2021). "George Galloway is pulling no punches in Batley & Spen". The Times. Archived from the original on 21 July 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ^ "Labour's Kim Leadbeater wins narrow victory in Batley and Spen byelection". The Guardian. 2 July 2021. Archived from the original on 2 July 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
- ^ Al-Othman, Hannah (6 June 2021). "Batley and Spen by-election: are Muslim voters the next brick to crumble in Labour's red wall?". The Sunday Times. London. Archived from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
- ^ "Labour could lose a by-election over the issue of Palestine". The Economist. 26 June 2021. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
- ^ Drury, Colin (28 June 2021). "Batley and Spen by-election: Labour's Muslim vote collapsing as Palestine – and potholes – cause anger". The Independent. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
- ^ Sullivan, Rory (26 June 2021). "Jo Cox's sister, Labour candidate Kim Leadbeater, heckled and chased on campaign trail". The Independent. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
- ^ Diver, Tony (25 June 2021). "Labour candidate in Batley and Spen by-election left 'intimidated' by anti-LGBT protester". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 27 June 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- ^ Blackall, Molly (26 June 2021). "Kim Leadbeater, sister of Jo Cox, chased and heckled on Batley and Spen by-election campaign trail". i. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
- ^ "Batley and Spen by-election: Labour 'egged and kicked'". BBC News. 28 June 2021. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ^ Stone, Jon (2 July 2021). "Batley and Spen: George Galloway says he will take legal action to challenge by-election defeat". The Independent. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ^ Geddes, Jonathan (2 July 2021). "Would-be Rutherglen MP George Galloway told to honour his promises". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 21 July 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ^ Borland, Craig (15 February 2021). "It's a six-way battle in Helensburgh and Lomond South by-election". Helensburgh Advertiser. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ^ "Argyll & Bute Council Election Results Ward 11 -Helensburgh and Lomond South" (PDF). Argyll and Bute Council. 19 March 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 May 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
- ^ "First Preference Report: Ward 1 - Almond". City of Edinburgh Council. 6 May 2022. Archived from the original on 30 May 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
- ^ Council, Birmingham City. "Bordesley and Highgate Ward Results". www.birmingham.gov.uk. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
- ^ "Chris Williamson joins Workers Party". Workers Party of Britain. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
- ^ Spereall, David (26 April 2021). "Wakefield local elections 2021: George Galloway's Workers Party of Britain stands in the district for the first time". Wakefield Express. Archived from the original on 15 May 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
- ^ a b "New leadership elected at Workers Party congress". Workers Party of Britain. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ Halliday, Josh; Ahmed, Aneesa (1 March 2024). "George Galloway wins Rochdale byelection after calling for Gaza protest vote". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ Halliday, Josh; Ahmed, Aneesa (1 March 2024). "George Galloway wins sweeping victory in Rochdale byelection, saying 'this is for Gaza'". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ "Residents of Rochdale caught up in increasingly toxic by-election campaign". Financial Times. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
- ^ Grunewald, Zoe (1 March 2024). "George Galloway wins Rochdale by-election after Labour fiasco and declares: 'This is for Gaza'". Yahoo News. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ Macnamara, Felicity (16 December 2019). "Former Bradford MP George Galloway launches new 'Workers Party'". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ^ "Introducing the Workers Party". Workers Party of Britain. 12 December 2019. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ^ Young, Chris (12 May 2021). "Former Bradford West MP George Galloway announces that his party will stand in Batley and Spen by-election". Telegraph & Argus. Archived from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
- ^ "Ten-point programme". Workers Party of Britain. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
- ^ "Mayoral by-election". Lewisham Council. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ "Chris Williamson joins Workers Party". Workers Party of Britain. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
- ^ "Workers Party Statement on passing of founding member Brian Travers". Workers Party of Britain. 23 August 2021. Archived from the original on 30 May 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
