Workers Party of Britain pick by-election candidate

"The by-election in the Greater Manchester constituency was triggered by the resignation of Andrew Gwynne, who stepped down last week for health reasons. At the general election in July 2024, George Galloway's Workers Party of Britain got 10.3% of the vote and came fourth. Gwynne secured 50.8% of the vote, enough for a majority of more than 13,000 ahead of Reform UK (14.1%). The Greens, on 13.2%, came third. The Conservatives (7.9%) and Liberal Democrats (3.8%) were respectively fifth and sixth."

"In a post on X, the Workers Party of Britain described Sarwar as a "star councillor" and said Labour had "forgotten" about them. Writing on the same social media platform from his own account, Galloway praised Sarwar's "easy manner" and said he had first met him "on a freezing night" when he was handing out hot food to the homeless."

Shahbaz Sarwar, a Workers Party of Britain councillor representing Longsight on Manchester City Council, will stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election. The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Andrew Gwynne, who stepped down for health reasons. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham sought Labour's candidacy but was blocked by the party's National Executive Committee, prompting around 50 Labour MPs to urge reconsideration. At the July 2024 general election Gwynne won 50.8% with a large majority while the Workers Party took 10.3%. The Workers Party promoted Sarwar as a "star councillor" and George Galloway praised his community work. Reform UK nominated Matt Goodwin. The by-election date has not yet been finalised and Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged Labour to focus resources on necessary elections.

Read at www.bbc.com