Rochdale by-election, 29 February 2024

[YL]

Of the non party candidates, Mark Coleman is an Anglican priest who supports environmental direct action (Just Stop Oil) and William Howarth is founder of Parents Against Grooming UK. David Tully runs a car repair place, but I don't know what his politics are, nor Michael Howarth's.

[morgieb]

If only there was preferential voting here. Would be fun to choose between Galloway, Dancuzk and the anti-"grooming" guy for my coveted #11 slot.

[Senator Sirius]

It's crazy that there's no way to stop that jackass Galloway from carpetbagging to every damn constituency in the country.

[Dr. MB]

It's crazy that there's no way to stop that jackass Galloway from carpetbagging to every damn constituency in the country.

that would ban half of British politicians

[CumbrianLefty]

It's crazy that there's no way to stop that jackass Galloway from carpetbagging to every damn constituency in the country.

that would ban half of British politicians

No, not really.

With this candidacy, GG has equalled the all time record for the number of different seats someone has stood in (and this is counting Glasgow Hillhead/Kelvin as essentially the same constituency)

EDIT: as YL rightly points out, this is those who have actually been an MP only.

Still quite a record.

[YL]

It's crazy that there's no way to stop that jackass Galloway from carpetbagging to every damn constituency in the country.

that would ban half of British politicians

No, not really.

With this candidacy, GG has equalled the all time record for the number of different seats someone has stood in (and this is counting Glasgow Hillhead/Kelvin as essentially the same constituency)

I think that's only for vaguely serious candidates, possibly specifically those who have actually been an MP at some point. There would be a few perennial by-election candidates who would beat it, some of them comfortably, most obviously Screaming Lord Sutch.

[TheTide]

It's crazy that there's no way to stop that jackass Galloway from carpetbagging to every damn constituency in the country.

that would ban half of British politicians

No, not really.

With this candidacy, GG has equalled the all time record for the number of different seats someone has stood in (and this is counting Glasgow Hillhead/Kelvin as essentially the same constituency)

I think that's only for vaguely serious candidates, possibly specifically those who have actually been an MP at some point. There would be a few perennial by-election candidates who would beat it, some of them comfortably, most obviously Screaming Lord Sutch.

Galloway has contested elections at more different levels than the usual perennial candidate too, I think. I make it - Westminster, Holyrood, Brussels, London Mayor, and Dundee District Council.

The Respect list for the London constituency in the 2004 European elections is quite something - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_(European_Parliament_constituency)#2004

[Lechasseur]

Labour

[Dr. Cynic]

Either Labour or LibDem. Whichever has the greater chance of winning.

[PSOL]

George Galloway for embarrassing the SWP.

[YL]

Poll re-started in the light of events.

Asterisked candidates have been disowned by their parties. Most of the candidates (not the two disowned ones, Galloway or the Loony) have election pitches linked from https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/elections/election-summary/39/rochdale-byelection-2024

[The '90s' Last Champion]

Conservative, somehow and despite everything. That said as long as it isn’t Galloway or the Reform UK person, I don’t care too much who wins here. I hope Labour wins Kingswood though.

[Trump v. Wong Kim Ark]

Vote for the Loony, it’s important.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

are Michael Howarth and William Howarth related?

[インターネット掲示板ユーザー Punxsutawney Phil]

I...guess I'll go with the Conservative. To stop Galloway.

[YL]

I...guess I'll go with the Conservative. To stop Galloway.

It's not at all clear that voting for the Conservative is the best option from a "stop Galloway" point of view. Indeed, it's not impossible that the Conservative will come fifth; as usual I'd caution against taking bookies' odds as a great indicator of what's really going on, but he's currently fifth favourite.

[jaichind]

Galloway

[IceAgeComing]

Honestly the best option to stop Galloway would be Azhar Ali - if he's more objectionable than you can tolerate the Lib Dems probably next best? Certainly not the Tories...

[Torrain]

My head says tactically voting to stop Galloway is the most important thing. But my heart says...