39.7%. that is lower than the 60% in the 2019 general election, but we do know that by—election turnout tends to be lower. voters in greater manchester are choosing a new mp following the death of sir tony lloyd, who died injanuary at following the death of sir tony lloyd, who died in january at the lloyd, who died injanuary at the age of 73. lloyd, who died in january at the age of 73. election officials have suggested we could get a declaration in the next hour or so. this, as you may know, was a chaotic campaign as labour disowned its candidate, azhar ali, after comments he made in the past. in the last hour, george galloway from the workers�* party of britain has claimed that he has won. we�*re also hearing that an independent candidate, david tully, is also doing well. speaking on bbc news, the leader of reform uk alleged there had been campaign intimidation. we�*ll have more on that in a moment. first, though, labour�*s shadow immigration minister, stephen kinnock, was asked

for his reaction to the by—election. well, to be frank, i�*m pleased that this whole sorry saga has come to an end now. it has been a very difficult and messy process. i�*m very pleased that we took rapid and robust action in terms of our candidate and the number one priority for us now in rochdale will be to select a strong candidate who will take the seat for labour and we will take the seat for labour and we will have a labour mp at the general election that we can be proud of. that�*s stephen kinnock of labour. well, let�*s head to the rochdale by—election centre and our political correspondent is there. i mentioned an independent candidate looks to be doing well and he�*s with you. yes. i�*m with david tully, a name you�*ve probably never come across in politics before. david, tell me your story, first and foremost. why did you first decide to stand in this

by—election? you first decide to stand in this bit-election?— you first decide to stand in this b -election? ~ , ., ~ ., by-election? well, 'ust a week to the da i by-election? well, 'ust a week to the day i thought — by-election? well, just a week to the day i thought i'd _ by-election? well, just a week to the day i thought i'd just - by-election? well, just a week to the day i thought i'd just stand i by-election? well, just a week to the day i thought i'd just stand in| the day i thought i�*d just stand in the day i thought i�*d just stand in the by—election and give rochdale a voice and i think i�*ve been the frontman of that. so, yes, i�*m very proud of what we�*ve achieved over the last four weeks. and, you know, meself and the community of rochdale. yeah. it�*s meself and the community of rochdale. yeah.— meself and the community of rochdale. yeah. h , ., , ., rochdale. yeah. it's been a bizarre bur-election — rochdale. yeah. it's been a bizarre by-election campaign. _ rochdale. yeah. it's been a bizarre by-election campaign. we - rochdale. yeah. it's been a bizarre by-election campaign. we see - rochdale. yeah. it's been a bizarre by-election campaign. we see in i rochdale. yeah. it's been a bizarre i by-election campaign. we see in the by—election campaign. we see in the background, the monster raving loony party trying to get involved. yes. it's also been. — party trying to get involved. yes. it's also been, according - party trying to get involved. yes. it's also been, according to - party trying to get involved. 133 it's also been, according to some of it�*s also been, according to some of the other people i�*ve spoken to tonight, quite a toxic campaign. what�*s your experience of that been like? what's your experience of that been like? ~ ., �* , ., like? well, that's what i feel i brou . ht like? well, that's what i feel i brought a _ like? well, that's what i feel i brought a bit _ like? well, that's what i feel i brought a bit of— like? well, that's what i feel i brought a bit of a _ like? well, that's what i feel i brought a bit of a breath - like? well, that's what i feel i brought a bit of a breath of i like? well, that's what i feel i i brought a bit of a breath of fresh air to it really. i wanted to be a voice for rochdale. i�*ve had a good campaign with great campaign with great support from the community. i haven�*t felt the toxic part of the campaign because i didn�*t get involved in the at the momentics. that�*s not my forte.

involved in the at the momentics. that's not my forte.— involved in the at the momentics. that's not my forte. have you seen an hint that's not my forte. have you seen anything like _ that's not my forte. have you seen anything like that _ that's not my forte. have you seen anything like that happening? - that's not my forte. have you seen anything like that happening? not| that's not my forte. have you seen i anything like that happening? not me ersonall , anything like that happening? not me personally. no- _ anything like that happening? not me personally, no. i've _ anything like that happening? not me personally, no. i've lived _ anything like that happening? not me personally, no. i've lived in _ anything like that happening? not me personally, no. i've lived in this- personally, no. i�*ve lived in this town all my life and i�*ve got good relationships in the community and i feel like people in the community have supported me so it�*s been really good, you know, the campaign that i�*ve done, so, like i said, i�*m very humble and lthlthlthlth proud of the people of rochdale that�*s brought a bit of good light to our town for a change, instead of the bad light we we�*ve all seemed to have over the last few years. yes. we�*re going to get a declaration on the stage behind you probably in the next 20 minutes or so i�*m told, and we�*re hearing thaw might have come second. is that what you�*re thinking too? second. is that what you're thinking too? ~ , . �* second. is that what you're thinking too? ~ , ., �* ., , too? well, yeah, i'm led to believe so. we'll too? well, yeah, i'm led to believe so- we'll see _ too? well, yeah, i'm led to believe so. we'll see how _ too? well, yeah, i'm led to believe so. we'll see how that _ too? well, yeah, i'm led to believe so. we'll see how that pans - too? well, yeah, i'm led to believe so. we'll see how that pans out. too? well, yeah, i'm led to believe so. we'll see how that pans out in l so. we�*ll see how that pans out in the next 20 minutes. if that�*s so, to be involved with something that i didn�*t really anticipate myself getting involved in four weeks ago and to be here now in that position,

like i say, i�*m very proud of the people of rochdale for supporting me. i can only thank them if that�*s the case. you know, ifeel very humble that we�*ve put a bit of good light on our town and hopefully this is a better change for the people of rochdale and its community. and i�*m proud i�*ve started that to be honest. if, proud i've started that to be honest. . . �* proud i've started that to be honest. ., , �* ., , ., honest. if, as we're hearing, george galloway has — honest. if, as we're hearing, george galloway has won _ honest. if, as we're hearing, george galloway has won and _ honest. if, as we're hearing, george galloway has won and you've - honest. if, as we're hearing, george galloway has won and you've compo | galloway has won and you�*ve compo tensionally second, what message does that send to the mainstream parties? does that send to the mainstream arties? ~ .. parties? well, i think the mainstream _ parties? well, i think the mainstream parties - parties? well, i think the mainstream parties have| parties? well, i think the - mainstream parties have been parties? well, i think the _ mainstream parties have been tried and tested and that�*s what i wanted to stand up for and to voice, be a voice of the people and air my concerns because i feel that it�*s just the same old routine and i wanted to be a breath of fresh air and put my points across, basically what our town feels and what the, you know, on a bigger stage,

what our town feels and what the, you know, on a biggerstage, our nation feels. and i wanted to be the front man of that for our town, rochdale. and ifeel front man of that for our town, rochdale. and i feel we�*ve front man of that for our town, rochdale. and ifeel we�*ve achieved that in four weeks, yeah. d0 rochdale. and i feel we've achieved that in four weeks, yeah.— that in four weeks, yeah. do you think ou that in four weeks, yeah. do you think you can — that in four weeks, yeah. do you think you can inspire _ that in four weeks, yeah. do you think you can inspire other - that in four weeks, yeah. do you think you can inspire other parts| that in four weeks, yeah. do you i think you can inspire other parts of the country to do similar? i think you can inspire other parts of the country to do similar?- the country to do similar? i hope so. i the country to do similar? i hope so- i hope _ the country to do similar? i hope so- i hope people _ the country to do similar? i hope so. i hope people from _ the country to do similar? i hope so. i hope people from each - the country to do similar? i hope | so. i hope people from each town stand up and make themselves accountable and hopefully the communities back them like rochdale�*s done today with me. like i say, ifeel very rochdale�*s done today with me. like i say, i feel very humble and i feel, you know, we can hopefully achieve something if people stand up for what they believe in and local people back them instead ofjust maybe not voting, because there won�*t be any change. so hopefully, we can maybe have a little snowball from rochdale and a bigger light from rochdale and a bigger light from us, rather than a dark one that�*s been clouded over us. thank you very much. david tully, really one of the stories of this by—election. butjust to my right, lots of cameras trained towards the entrance of the building, as we await the potential arrival of george galloway, who we are expecting to have won this

by—election. as i say, the declaration expected in the next 15 to 20 minutes and as i was sort of saying earlier on, his team very, very confident. they have been throughout the night and earlier, i spoke to the former labour mp chris williamson, who is now a member of george galloway�*s workers for britain party. george galloway's workers for britain party-— george galloway's workers for britain pa . ~ �* , britain party. we're very confident that it's a comfortable _ britain party. we're very confident that it's a comfortable win - britain party. we're very confident that it's a comfortable win for - that it�*s a comfortable win for george. and this will send shock waves, i think, george. and this will send shock waves, ithink, through george. and this will send shock waves, i think, through the corridors of power in westminster. but more important than that, i think it will give confidence to insurgent campaigns all over the country who are looking for a genuine alternative to the mainstream political parties. because our democracy has been stolen from us in this country. both labour and the conservative party are on the same page economically and on the same page on international policy as well. they�*re both signed up to the war machine and they�*re both signed up to neo—liberal economics. so people have no choice. we�*re effectively

being run by a one—party state and people are desperate, it seems to me, for an alternative. the workers party, george galloway, provides that alternative. and we think his strong victory this evening will be a real boost to those insurgent campaigns all over the country. and the mainstream political parties better watch out when the general election comes.— better watch out when the general election comes. what message does this send to — election comes. what message does this send to the _ election comes. what message does this send to the labour _ election comes. what message does this send to the labour party - this send to the labour party particularly as regards its position on the middle east?— particularly as regards its position on the middle east? well, they've comletel on the middle east? well, they've completely lost _ on the middle east? well, they've completely lost touch _ on the middle east? well, they've completely lost touch with - on the middle east? well, they'vei completely lost touch with reality. the fact that is the labour party is facilitating genocide that�*s taking place before our very eyes. it�*s absolutely outrageous that labour party of all political parties, which has always had a strong peace contingent within it, is now actually supporting genocide. maybe if we can avoid _ actually supporting genocide. maybe if we can avoid that _ actually supporting genocide. maybe if we can avoid that language - actually supporting genocide. maybe if we can avoid that language if- if we can avoid that language if that�*s ok for now. if we can avoid that language if that's ok for now.— if we can avoid that language if that's ok for now. well, i know, but it may offend. _ that's ok for now. well, i know, but it may offend, but _ that's ok for now. well, i know, but it may offend, but even _ that's ok for now. well, i know, but it may offend, but even the - it may offend, but even the international court ofjustice have acknowledged that there is a plausible genocide going on. fik. plausible genocide going on. ok. when ou plausible genocide going on. ok. when you see — plausible genocide going on. ok. when you see the israelis massacring people who are starving, queueing up forfood, and the labour people who are starving, queueing up for food, and the labour party is not standing out against that, it�*s absolutely outrageous. what

not standing out against that, it's absolutely outrageous.— not standing out against that, it's absolutely outrageous. what do you sa to absolutely outrageous. what do you say to people _ absolutely outrageous. what do you say to people who — absolutely outrageous. what do you say to people who say _ absolutely outrageous. what do you say to people who say that - absolutely outrageous. what do you say to people who say that george | say to people who say that george galloway comes to places like this where he�*s never been before and drums up division? where he's never been before and drums up division?— where he's never been before and drums up division? well, that's not true at all- — drums up division? well, that's not true at all. george _ drums up division? well, that's not true at all. george is _ drums up division? well, that's not true at all. george is very - drums up division? well, that's not true at all. george is very strong i true at all. george is very strong on local issues. the fact is that people in rochdale have been badly let down in local issues. the accident and emergency service is no longer operational here. there�*s a massive housing crisis. there�*s huge levels of poverty. it used to be the fifth biggest economy and it�*s now the sixth biggest economy. there is no need for anyone to be living in the poverty or deprivation that millions of people across the country and thousands of people in rochdale are currently experiencing. so george, i think, is offering hope to those people. but also thousands of people in rochdale and millions all over the country are also concerned about international policy as well, and the fact is that our government, and the main opposition party, is actually supporting massacres of innocent palestinian people. people are absolutely

outraged by this and they want to see people speaking out against it and george galloway and the workers party is doing just that. some and george galloway and the workers party is doing just that.— party is doing 'ust that. some of the party is doing just that. some of the other parties _ party is doing just that. some of the other parties think _ party is doing just that. some of the other parties think the i party is doing just that. some of i the other parties think the campaign here has been pretty toxic, to be honest. and they lay the blame for that at george galloway�*s door. i that at george galloway's door. i mean they would do, wouldn't they? mean they would do, wouldn�*t they? we have fought, george galloway has fought, the workers party has fought, the workers party has fought, an incredibly positive campaign. we�*re speaking out for peace. we�*re speaking against war. we�*re calling for a ceasefire in gaza. we�*re speaking for an economic policy that actually supports ordinary working class people in this country, gives people hope. let�*s address the housing crisis. let�*s address the housing crisis. let�*s address the collapse in our public services. let�*s deal with the destruction of our infrastructure. you know all these things are possible. itjust takes political will to bring about a good society and one of the —— none of the political parties are offering that. what are the political parties offering? labourand what are the political parties offering? labour and the conservatives are offering the same thing. labour is saying there will be no public ownership of our utilities, so they�*re happy to sit back and allow public utilities to rip off consumers. you know, british

gas — their profits have increased nearly tenfold and, you know, millions of people are struggling to pay their energy bills. what an absolute disgrace. what an outrage. people want public ownership of our utilities and railways. they want to see hope. they want an industrial strategy where young people have access to, or hope for, a decent job, a decent future, a decent career. . . . job, a decent future, a decent career. . ., , , job, a decent future, a decent career. . , . ., ., career. that was chris williamson of the workers — career. that was chris williamson of the workers party — career. that was chris williamson of the workers party of— career. that was chris williamson of the workers party of britain, i career. that was chris williamson of| the workers party of britain, george galloway�*s party, talking to us. back to the count in rochdale. i see that political editor of bbc north west say that george galloway�*s team are so confident, they�*re already planning a victory rally in the town. it would be a big win for him if they do come first, party peter.

it would, yes. he�*s a formidable campaigner and with what is going on in the middle east right now, you heard chris williamson making the point that people are deeply concerned about it, particularly in the muslim community here, and he clearly has managed to enthuse an awful lot of voters. now, quite how long he actually spends in parliament is probably a different matter, really. labour will probably be pretty hopeful when it comes to the general election that they�*ll win this sees back. but george galloway has proved once again that he is this perennial pain in the proverbialfor again that he is this perennial pain in the proverbial for his former party. you know, he was first elected as a labour mp some 37 years ago now. he represented a seat in glasgow for quite a long time, was suspended for bringing the party into disrepute to do with some of the things he said about the iraq war. a lot of people probably more recently know him for his appearance on celebrity big brother when he did

that rather odd impression of a cat. but he remains a significant, fascinating politicalfigure but he remains a significant, fascinating political figure and but he remains a significant, fascinating politicalfigure and he says if he does get down to parliament, that he will shake the walls of that place and stand up for gaza. it does appear that george galloway is about to make a return to front line politics, but this campaign here, as i was saying earlier on, really, really toxic, or so it seems anyway. reform uk, who had another former labour mp so it seems anyway. reform uk, who had anotherformer labour mp in simon danczuk, as their candidate, making the claims that their candidate had been intimidated, that there had been death threats. there was talk of firebombs. there was a suggestion also from the leader of reform uk when i spoke to him earlier on that perhaps there were questions to be asked about the actual vote here. have a listen to this. ~ �* ,

have a listen to this. we'll see when the _ have a listen to this. we'll see when the result _ have a listen to this. we'll see when the result comes i have a listen to this. we'll see when the result comes out. i have a listen to this. we'll see| when the result comes out. it's quite _ when the result comes out. it's quite clear— when the result comes out. it's quite clear that mr galloway has won _ quite clear that mr galloway has won. what i want to do isjust put out on _ won. what i want to do isjust put out on socials a statement which i think_ out on socials a statement which i think is— out on socials a statement which i think is important for viewers, listeners — think is important for viewers, listeners and indeed the british electorate to understand. because the polls— electorate to understand. because the polls have closed and this has been _ the polls have closed and this has been an— the polls have closed and this has been an extraordinary by—election campaign — been an extraordinary by—election campaign. we're in a situation where a parliamentary election have to ask serious _ a parliamentary election have to ask serious questions — has this been genuinely— serious questions — has this been genuinely a — serious questions — has this been genuinely a free and fair election? unfortunately, the behaviour of certain — unfortunately, the behaviour of certain candidates and that supporters raise —— their supporters raise _ supporters raise —— their supporters raise serious— supporters raise —— their supporters raise serious doubts about that and fall far— raise serious doubts about that and fall far short of our traditional democratic standards here in the uk. in democratic standards here in the uk. in recent _ democratic standards here in the uk. in recent weeks, our own candidate has suffered vile racist abuse, death— has suffered vile racist abuse, death threats. we've become refused entry into _ death threats. we've become refused entry into hustings in council buildings _ entry into hustings in council buildings and we've suffered daily intimidation. our own business supporters have also been threatened with firebombing unless they remove

leaflets _ with firebombing unless they remove leaflets from their premises. menacing behaviour not only a feature — menacing behaviour not only a feature of the campaign but also today— feature of the campaign but also today we've seen unacceptable behaviour by certain people outside polling _ behaviour by certain people outside polling stations, intimidation. i'm concerned — polling stations, intimidation. i'm concerned about also the size of the postal— concerned about also the size of the postal vote, which has dramatically increased _ postal vote, which has dramatically increased from 14,000 to 23,000 or so in _ increased from 14,000 to 23,000 or so injust— increased from 14,000 to 23,000 or so injust four years. really? what does _ so injust four years. really? what does that— so injust four years. really? what does that tell us? fire so in just four years. really? what does that tell us?— so in just four years. really? what does that tell us?_ hang does that tell us? are you... hang on. this by-election _ on. this by—election lthlthlthlth needs to act as a serious _ lthlthlthlth needs to act as a serious wake—up call to the whole british— serious wake—up call to the whole british people. we're supposed to be a beacon _ british people. we're supposed to be a beacon of— british people. we're supposed to be a beacon of democracy, but i'm questioning that. unless something dramatic— questioning that. unless something dramatic changes, the reality is this scene — dramatic changes, the reality is this scene will be repeated in dozens— this scene will be repeated in dozens of constituencies at the general— dozens of constituencies at the general election and we face, by christmas, — general election and we face, by christmas, the prospect of numerous extremist _ christmas, the prospect of numerous extremist anti—semitic lawmakers in the house _ extremist anti—semitic lawmakers in the house of commons. gk. extremist anti-semitic lawmakers in the house of commons.— extremist anti-semitic lawmakers in the house of commons. 0k. the people ou're the house of commons. 0k. the people you're potentially _ the house of commons. 0k. the people you're potentially referring _ the house of commons. 0k. the people you're potentially referring to _ the house of commons. 0k. the people you're potentially referring to are i you�*re potentially referring to are not here to defend themselves. correct. �* , ., �* ., , correct. and you've made some very, very strong — correct. and you've made some very, very strong claims — correct. and you've made some very,

very strong claims there. _ correct. and you've made some very, very strong claims there. i _ correct. and you've made some very, very strong claims there. i have. i correct. and you've made some very, very strong claims there. i have. a i very strong claims there. i have. a lot of people _ very strong claims there. i have. a lot of people might _ very strong claims there. i have. a lot of people might look— very strong claims there. i have. a lot of people might look at - very strong claims there. i have. a lot of people might look at this i very strong claims there. i have. a| lot of people might look at this and say it looks like you�*ve not done well here. is this just sour grapes? the result�*s irrelevant. it�*s the the result's irrelevant. it's the implication force democracy. how can you run— implication force democracy. how can you run a _ implication force democracy. how can you run a campaign when you're suffering — you run a campaign when you're suffering intimidation, death threats, _ suffering intimidation, death threats, abuse, have you to move your— threats, abuse, have you to move your is— threats, abuse, have you to move your is staff — threats, abuse, have you to move your is staff from premises, your business — your is staff from premises, your business supporters get threatened with firebombs. that's not a democracy. it's the sort of thing you see — democracy. it's the sort of thing you see in — democracy. it's the sort of thing you see in a _ democracy. it's the sort of thing you see in a failed state. the result's— you see in a failed state. the result's irrelevant.— you see in a failed state. the result's irrelevant. you're saying this could _ result's irrelevant. you're saying this could be _ result's irrelevant. you're saying this could be repeated _ result's irrelevant. you're saying this could be repeated in i result's irrelevant. you're saying this could be repeated in other l this could be repeated in other by—elections? this could be repeated in other by-elections?_ this could be repeated in other by—elections? yes. what evidence do by-elections? yes. what evidence do ou have by-elections? yes. what evidence do you have to — by—elections? yes. what evidence do you have to back this up? by-elections? yes. what evidence do you have to back this up? no, i- you have to back this up? no, i clearly said _ you have to back this up? no, i clearly said at _ you have to back this up? no, i clearly said at the _ you have to back this up? no, i clearly said at the general- clearly said at the general election. it will be certain constituencies in the uk. we need to understand _ constituencies in the uk. we need to understand what is going on here. can you _ understand what is going on here. can you give some specific examples... can you give some specific examples. . ._ can you give some specific examples... can you give some specific examles. .. �* ., i. examples... i've given them to you. there is a — examples... i've given them to you. there is a video _ examples... i've given them to you. there is a video circulating - examples... i've given them to you. there is a video circulating online i there is a video circulating online that you — there is a video circulating online that you clearly haven't seen of vile. _ that you clearly haven't seen of vile. racist— that you clearly haven't seen of vile, racist death threats, abuse, to my— vile, racist death threats, abuse, to my candidate earlier this week. right? _ to my candidate earlier this week. right? we've got supporters being threatened with firebombs. i've had to move _ threatened with firebombs. i've had to move my— threatened with firebombs. i've had to move my staff, at this count, all my staff _

to move my staff, at this count, all my staff have left.