ithis? : this? because going to make of this? because george galloway firmly taking aim at him in his victory speech. i george galloway firmly taking aim at him in his victory speech.— him in his victory speech. i think keir starmer _ him in his victory speech. i think keir starmer will _ him in his victory speech. i think keir starmer will have _ him in his victory speech. i think keir starmer will have to - him in his victory speech. i think keir starmer will have to come l him in his victory speech. i think i keir starmer will have to come out and say something in the morning on this, or indeed someone from the shadow cabinet will. they will clearly, i'm sure, want to play down the significance of this. there were a particular set of circumstances surrounding their candidate in this by—election, but this is damaging, it is a headache for the labour party, no doubt about it. there'll be so much attention on george galloway who when he does turn up in the houses of parliament, and he's extolling a point of view that does still exist, actually, among labour members of parliament — perhaps not to quite the tent of george galloway. a lot of those labour members are now independent. jeremy corbyn, who george galloway supported when he was leader, is still there and has been calling for some time for an immediate ceasefire in gaza. should be noted that labour has now said that it does back an immediate humanitarian ceasefire — thatis

immediate humanitarian ceasefire — that is reflective of where the international community is on that now. labourwants international community is on that now. labour wants to be part of the government, wants to be allied with countries around the world — the likes of the united states, australia, new zealand. but, yeah, this no doubt was probably in some sense the result that keir starmer would have hoped for, in this by—election — the worst possible outcome. he by-election - the worst possible outcome. . , ,_ by-election - the worst possible outcome. . , _ , by-election - the worst possible outcome. . , , ,, ., ~ outcome. he was saying rishi sunak and sir keir — outcome. he was saying rishi sunak and sir keir starmer _ outcome. he was saying rishi sunak and sir keir starmer needed - outcome. he was saying rishi sunak and sir keir starmer needed to - outcome. he was saying rishi sunaki and sir keir starmer needed to think about what happened and the fact that he had won — how will downing street take it, do you think? there wasn't a great _ street take it, do you think? there wasn't a great deal _ street take it, do you think? there wasn't a great deal of _ street take it, do you think? there wasn't a great deal of mention - street take it, do you think? there wasn't a great deal of mention of. wasn't a great deal of mention of rishi sunak there, was there? it's not a good result for either of the two main party, there's no doubt about that. labour, as i say, going into this by—election probably would have been quite comfortable and confident of holding onto it. but their campaign imploded because of remarks made by their candidate. as for the conservatives, they would have hoped to have come second here in the event — they've come quite a long way behind notjust george

galloway, but an independent local businessman who's come from nowhere, and clearly enthused an awful lot of voters around here. that vote has been split quite a long way across a few different candidates — the liberal democrats probably picked up a few votes from labour voters who no longer wanted to back azhar ali. reform uk will be disappointed with the result, considering they have a man in simon danczuk with a significant local profile — former labour mp for rochdale. but really, the story of the night is george galloway, isn't it? he's standing next to me now. we'll try to get a word with him any second. there's an awful lot to discuss with him. iade’ilil awful lot to discuss with him. we'll sta with awful lot to discuss with him. we'll stay with you. _ awful lot to discuss with him. we'll stay with you, peter, _ awful lot to discuss with him. we'll stay with you, peter, on _ awful lot to discuss with him. we'll stay with you, peter, on the - awful lot to discuss with him. we'll stay with you, peter, on the hope that we will get to stay with you, peter, on the hope that we will get to hear stay with you, peter, on the hope that we will get to hear from stay with you, peter, on the hope that we will get to hear from george galloway. on the screen, you can see the share of the vote. 40% of that vote, and 21% for the independent candidate — that is a huge percentage of the people who came out to vote did vote for george

galloway. if you can grab a word with mr galloway... mr if you can grab a word with mr galloway- - -— if you can grab a word with mr galloway... mr galloway, you're live... galloway... mr galloway, you're live--- mr— galloway... mr galloway, you're live... mr galloway... _ live... mr galloway... 0k, live... mr galloway... ok, no... i'm afraid not... ithink he's been ushered away for now... but we have been told that we will get a word with him at some point, anyway. george galloway, it should be said, is a long—term figure for the bbc - be said, is a long—term figure for the bbc — for whatever reason, he's chosen to speak to other media organisations. we do hope to speak to him in rochdale this evening, as we've spoken to all the other candidates throughout the night. but, yeah, what a story here unfolding in this quiet corner of greater manchester. it's got a very, very interesting political history, rochdale — the birthplace of the cooperative movement. this is an event tonight which i think will change the political weather in westminster — certainly in the

short—term. it remains to be seen, of course, whether this has a knock—on effect in terms of voters' attitudes in other parts of the country. but, yeah, keir starmer will be watching these pictures tonight and i'm sure he'll be a little bit worried about it, because here at the moment, it looks like he's riding high in the polls and heading towards downing street. he can ill afford to start losing support to candidates and individuals like george galloway and his workers' party of britain. but no doubt the argument that will come out of the labour party in the coming days is that they would have won this by—election had it not been for those comments made by the candidate they chose, azhar ali. they will say that they've moved very quickly to do that, and took decisive action here, even if it meant they've lost this seat. yeah, and mr galloway _ meant they've lost this seat. yeah, and mr galloway focusing _ meant they've lost this seat. yeah, and mr galloway focusing on - meant they've lost this seat. yeah, and mr galloway focusing on the i and mr galloway focusing on the conflict in gaza. that has become an issue over the last weeks with what happened in the commons and the

commons speaker?— happened in the commons and the commons speaker? that's right. and the house commons _ commons speaker? that's right. and the house commons speaker, - commons speaker? that's right. and | the house commons speaker, lindsay hoyle, made the point that he had a really strong consideration for mps' safety in that decision to allow a labour amendment to an snp motion calling for an snp —— calling for an immediate ceasefire in gaza. that has prompted something of a backlash between government backbenchers, saying we can't allow our democracy to be ago bowed by the intimidation, as they see it, of pro—palestinian lobby. there was a demonstration outside parliament as that was happening. there were words and images cast up onto big ben which offended a lot of, particularly, tory mps. some of them have raised that issue, complained about the mayor of london — in one case, lee anderson, of course, some people felt he crossed the line in some of his complaints about sidique khan con, suggesting he had been

controlled by this and this... those comments widely condemned as islamophobic. but this debate has a whole new dimension to it now, with george galloway returning to parliament, and a real advocate for the pro—palestinian lobby on the backbenches. bud the pro-palestinian lobby on the backbenches.— the pro-palestinian lobby on the backbenches. �* ., ., ., ., backbenches. and a word about that independent — backbenches. and a word about that independent candidate, _ backbenches. and a word about that independent candidate, david - backbenches. and a word about that independent candidate, david tully l backbenches. and a word about that| independent candidate, david tully - independent candidate, david tully — independent candidate, david tully — i don't know whether you might be able to go and see if you can grab another word with him now — he'll definitely know he's come second. that is an amazing victory for him, asjust a local that is an amazing victory for him, as just a local businessman? it that is an amazing victory for him, asjust a local businessman? it is. asjust a local businessman? it is, eah. asjust a local businessman? it is, yeah- and — asjust a local businessman? it is, yeah- and i— asjust a local businessman? it is, yeah. and i suppose _ asjust a local businessman? it is, yeah. and i suppose it _ asjust a local businessman? it is, yeah. and i suppose it proves - asjust a local businessman? it 3 yeah. and i suppose it proves to all of us, really, that we can achieve things when we put our minds it. and it is unusual — highly unusual — for an independent to do that. there were a slew of independents here, most of them got a few hundred votes each. but this individual, who clearly has a lot of mates out campaigning for him — they were surrounding him tonight, cheering him on. she well—known. he's got the branding around the town because his local is very successful, clearly. and he spoke to, i think, the

general sense of disillusionment with mainstream politics that we've seenin with mainstream politics that we've seen in rochdale. a lot of people feel they've been a bit forgotten here, let down, that the town has had a bad reputation, some of the difficulties that it's had in recent years with child grooming gangs and that kind of thing. he was really trying to put a positive spin on things and become a proper local advocate for rochdale. george galloway says that he will do the same, of course. but really the central part of his campaign during this by—election has been to talk about events thousands of miles away. and yes, he wants to talk about the local football club and the local hospital, but really i think when he gets down to westminster, a lot of the focus on him will be the kinds of things that he says about the conflict in the middle east.— he says about the conflict in the middle east. 0k. peter, we'll let ou no middle east. 0k. peter, we'll let you go away _ middle east. 0k. peter, we'll let you go away and _ middle east. 0k. peter, we'll let you go away and see _ middle east. 0k. peter, we'll let you go away and see if _ middle east. 0k. peter, we'll let you go away and see if you - middle east. 0k. peter, we'll let you go away and see if you can l middle east. 0k. peter, we'll let. you go away and see if you can grab george galloway or, indeed, mr tully. we'll come back to you a little later. ijust want, if you are justjoining little later. ijust want, if you arejustjoining us — the time, 3:08. let me remind you of the result of the rochdale by—election: george galloway has won, as you can see there. the workers' party of

britain, with 12,335 votes — as we were mentioning, the independent candidate david tully coming second with 6,638 votes. the conservative candidate, paul ellison — 3,731. the candidate that on the ballot paper was for labour, azhar ali — but of course, he was disowned by the party early on in the campaign — 2,402. what does that mean about bout the share of the vote? there you can see george galloway�*s party picking up 40% of the share of that vote with 21% for the independent candidate david tully and the conservatives on 12%.

in terms of the share change, what has changed since the 2019 general election — workers' party of britain up election — workers' party of britain up lio%, of course, cos they didn't stand last time: independent david tully also up 21% because he didn't stand last time. but the conservatives and labour both did, so that means their share of the vote has gone down. the conservatives by 19%, and the labour party down by 44%. so you can see labour down 44%, the workers' party of britain — george galloway�*s party _ up of britain — george galloway�*s party - up by of britain — george galloway�*s party — up by lio%. what does that mean for the swing? here's your swingometer: it shows that move from labour to the workers' party of britain was 41.8%. let's bring injoe twyman, our polling expert 41.8%. let's bring injoe twyman, our polling expert from 41.8%. let's bring injoe twyman, our polling expert from deltapoll, tonight. first of all, your reaction

tonight. first of all, your reaction to mr galloway�*s win? tonight. first of all, your reaction to mr galloway's win?— to mr galloway's win? well, an unusual campaign _ to mr galloway's win? well, an unusual campaign and - to mr galloway's win? well, an i unusual campaign and by-election in unusual campaign and by—election in many ways ends with a striking result and a victory for george galloway which, a few months ago, would have been thought as completely unlikely. and yet hear we are — the collapse in the support notjust are — the collapse in the support not just for are — the collapse in the support notjust for labour, but are — the collapse in the support not just for labour, but also are — the collapse in the support notjust for labour, but also the liberal democrats and the conservatives — has allowed mr galloway and, indeed, an independent candidate, to come first and second respectively. the general election in 2019, the three main parties picked upjust shy in 2019, the three main parties picked up just shy of 90% of the votes in rochdale. in this by—election — which, as i say, is very unusual — nonetheless, they didn't manage to make even 27% of the vote. so an extraordinary turnaround. come the general election, we would expect things to be different, but there's no doubt that this result represents a very bad day for keir starmer. and he can, and i'm sure he will and

bad day for keir starmer. and he can, and i'm sure he willand his representatives will talk about — oh, well, the unusual circumstances meant that george galloway was able to get it in. but what are those circumstances? the fact that a labour candidate was not sufficiently vetted, was found to be making remarks that were seen as anti—semitic, and so had to be disavowed by the party. that's not a good argument for the labour party to make, even though it's really the only one they have. we to make, even though it's really the only one they have.— only one they have. we must talk about the independent _ only one they have. we must talk| about the independent candidate, dave tully, coming second. that is quite remarkable even in by—election terms, isn't it? quite remarkable even in by-election terms. isn't it?— terms, isn't it? yes, the overall result to have _ terms, isn't it? yes, the overall result to have george _ terms, isn't it? yes, the overall result to have george galloway| terms, isn't it? yes, the overall- result to have george galloway first and then an independent second — essentially, two independent candidates, for all intents and purposes, coming first and second — has never happened in the modern era. we were searching back through the history books earlier and we found the combined scottish universities constituency in191i5 found the combined scottish universities constituency in 1945 as the last time something along these lines happened. just the fact that i'm talking about the combined

scottish universities constituency suggests just how long ago that was. so, yes, in modern times, this is completely unprecedented and demonstrates just how unusual the circumstances were — but also how difficult the three main parties managed — how difficult they found it and how they manage to really get anything like cut—through in this particular cust. mr anything like cut-through in this particular cust._ anything like cut-through in this particular cust. mr galloway, in his victory speech. _ particular cust. mr galloway, in his victory speech, said _ particular cust. mr galloway, in his victory speech, said this _ particular cust. mr galloway, in his victory speech, said this was i particular cust. mr galloway, in his victory speech, said this was going j victory speech, said this was going to spark a movement. how realistic do you think that is from his point of view? �* , ., ~ do you think that is from his point ofview?�* , ., ~ ., of view? i'm sure that mr galloway's su orters of view? i'm sure that mr galloway's suoporters will _ of view? i'm sure that mr galloway's suoporters will be — of view? i'm sure that mr galloway's supporters will be saluting _ of view? i'm sure that mr galloway's supporters will be saluting his i supporters will be saluting his courage, his strength, and his indefatigability. but we have to face facts that, in a few months — maybe in may, but more likely in the autumn — a general election will arrive, and i think that the workers' party of britain and george galloway and similar candidates will struggle when it comes to a general election. in the particular circumstances of this constituency, particularly around gaza and the

sizeable muslim population, may have helped him — but there's no doubt that there is, in certain pockets of constituencies up and down the country, anti—politicalfeeling, country, anti—political feeling, dissatisfaction, distrust country, anti—politicalfeeling, dissatisfaction, distrust and disapproval — notjust of politicians specifically, but of the political class generally. but, as we've seen in election after election, actually translating that into seats at a general election can prove extremely difficult. reform will struggle in the same way that ukip previously struggled, and i imagine the workers' party of britain will find it even more difficult. ., ., ., difficult. you mentioned reform uk there. difficult. you mentioned reform uk there- they've _ difficult. you mentioned reform uk there. they've done _ difficult. you mentioned reform uk there. they've done reasonably i difficult. you mentioned reform uk| there. they've done reasonably well in the last couple of by—elections — 10%, 13% - in the last couple of by—elections — 10%,13% - which in the last couple of by—elections — 10%,13% — which is in the last couple of by—elections — 10%, 13% — which is about what they are on the national polling. but not so this time around? h0 are on the national polling. but not so this time around?— are on the national polling. but not so this time around? no - it appears that the 696 — so this time around? no - it appears that the 696 that — so this time around? no - it appears that the 696 that they _ so this time around? no - it appears that the 696 that they received i so this time around? no - it appears that the 696 that they received at i that the 6% that they received at this election was well below what they were expecting. and given that rochdale was a constituency that

leans towards leave in the eu referendum, they may have thought that perhaps there was opportunities here for votes to be gained. and, indeed, there was discussion that simon danczuk — who, of course, was the mp for rochdale, albeit under the mp for rochdale, albeit under the labour party, for seven years — there were suggestions that maybe he might be able to come through the middle of a vote split between the azhar ali, the nominal labour candidate, and george galloway. but it proved not to be the case and, instead, it's local business owner david tully who seems to have picked up david tully who seems to have picked up a lot of votes, perhaps in place of mr danczuk, who it's worth pointing out the leader of the reform party has raised questions about the campaign process. but nonetheless, it's not a good performance for them tonight. fiend nonetheless, it's not a good performance for them tonight. and a word about the _ performance for them tonight. and a word about the conservatives? not great result for the conservatives either? ., ., ., , ., either? no, not great result for the conservatives. _ either? no, not great result for the conservatives, and _ either? no, not great result for the conservatives, and i— either? no, not great result for the conservatives, and i don't- either? no, not great result for the

conservatives, and i don't think i conservatives, and i don't think they'll really mind very much at all. i imagine that, in downing street and across the conservatives, they will be happy to see labour suffering from such troubles — unusually, as has been the case in coverage over recent weeks and months. it's usually the conservatives that have been suffering from bad news, particularly in the aftermath of recent by—elections. this is very much a different story, and politics so often about momentum, and the momentum tonight is with george galloway. we will see him and his supporters very much featuring heavily over the next days and perhaps even weeks. the conservatives, on the other hand, will want to shift attention to the budget next week and willjust be happy that labour are having a bit of trouble themselves. fik. happy that labour are having a bit of trouble themselves.— of trouble themselves. 0k. joe t man, of trouble themselves. 0k. joe twyman, for — of trouble themselves. 0k. joe twyman, for the _ of trouble themselves. 0k. joe twyman, for the moment, i of trouble themselves. 0k. joe i twyman, for the moment, thank you very much for your analysis on the result. if you are justjoining very much for your analysis on the result. if you arejustjoining us here on bbc news, then the news is

that george galloway has won the rochdale by—election — and here is the moment that the result was announced. george galloway — workers party of britain candidate — 12,000... britain candidate —12,000... cheering and applause ..12,335. we're going to go straight back to rochdale, because peter saull has george galloway with him. george galloway with him. george galloway, congratulations. you're _ george galloway, congratulations. you're live — george galloway, congratulations. you're live on bbc news.— george galloway, congratulations. you're live on bbc news. thank you. congratulations. _ you're live on bbc news. thank you. congratulations. what _ you're live on bbc news. thank you. congratulations. what message i you're live on bbc news. thank you. | congratulations. what message does your victory send? | congratulations. what message does your victory send?— your victory send? i think the bi est your victory send? i think the biggest message _ your victory send? i think the biggest message is _ your victory send? i think the biggest message is to - your victory send? i think the biggest message is to keir i your victory send? i think the i biggest message is to keir starmer your victory send? i think the - biggest message is to keir starmer - biggest message is to keir starmer — that he's lost the trust, lost the confidence, of millions of traditional labour voters and. that's going to cost labour plenty in the general election this year. there's not a particular set of circumstances here, though — would labour— circumstances here, though — would labour not _ circumstances here, though — would labour not have won this seat were

it not _ labour not have won this seat were it not for— labour not have won this seat were it not for the — labour not have won this seat were it not for the fact that they had to drop their— it not for the fact that they had to drop their candidate?— it not for the fact that they had to drop their candidate? well, none of us can know — drop their candidate? well, none of us can know that. _ drop their candidate? well, none of us can know that. if— drop their candidate? well, none of us can know that. if you _ drop their candidate? well, none of us can know that. if you the - drop their candidate? well, none of us can know that. if you the ink i us can know that. if you the ink it's just a particular set of circumstances, i beg to differ. i think nat that, all over the country, workers' party candidates, independent candidates, significant people, will now stand up against labour in those constituencies and will either defeat them or cause their defeat. and that ought to be a matter of concern for keir starmer — and i think it is. matter of concern for keir starmer - and i think it is.— and i think it is. how widespread can this get. _ and i think it is. how widespread can this get, though? _ and i think it is. how widespread can this get, though? you're i can this get, though? you're obviously— can this get, though? you're obviously well—known. can this get, though? you're obviously well— known. you can this get, though? you're obviously well—known. you have can this get, though? you're obviously well— known. you have a hislory— obviously well— known. you have a history of— obviously well— known. you have a history of doing this kind of thing. does _ history of doing this kind of thing. does your— history of doing this kind of thing. does your party have the infrastructure to do more, realistically, in other parts of the country? — realistically, in other parts of the count ? ~ �* ., ., ~:: country? well, we've got now 60 parliamentary — country? well, we've got now 60 parliamentary candidates. - country? well, we've got now 60 parliamentary candidates. we i country? well, we've got now 60 i parliamentary candidates. we won't necessarily use them all, because we're open to negotiation with others — if an independent has a better shot than us, we'll negotiate that. but we are — you know, this is

where the court was born in 1844. nobody thought it could be done. but i've been in co—ops from the favelas in brazil to the townships of south africa — it's spread throughout the whole world. and i think this victory tonight will spread far. i victory tonight will spread far. i have to ask you, because reform uk have to ask you, because reform uk have made _ have to ask you, because reform uk have made some very strong claims tonight— have made some very strong claims tonight about the way that your party— tonight about the way that your party has — tonight about the way that your party has behaved on the campaign trail - _ party has behaved on the campaign trail - they— party has behaved on the campaign trail — they believe that there've been _ trail — they believe that there've been death threats, intimidation, fire bombs... not been death threats, intimidation, fire bombs...— fire bombs... not from us - that would be defamatory. _ fire bombs... not from us - that would be defamatory. i'm - fire bombs... not from us - that i would be defamatory. i'm wondering if richard tice has lost his marbles or he's on something. because i've actually got a text on my phone from richard tice inviting me to be the reform party's candidate in a parliamentary by—election not that long ago. now, i wouldn't have intended to publish it but, if he doesn't stop telling lies about me, i'll start telling the truth about him. , ., , , �*, i'll start telling the truth about him. ,., _ �*, ., i'll start telling the truth about him. , �*, ., ., him. obviously he's not here to defend himself. _ him. obviously he's not here to defend himself. in _ him. obviously he's not here to defend himself. in terms i him. obviously he's not here to defend himself. in terms of- him. obviously he's not here to| defend himself. in terms of kind him. obviously he's not here to i defend himself. in terms of kind of what you _ defend himself. in terms of kind of what you do next when you get into

parliament. — what you do next when you get into parliament, of course you'lljust be one of— parliament, of course you'lljust be one of 650 — parliament, of course you'lljust be one of 650 mps. will parliament, of course you'll 'ust be one of 650 mps.i one of 650 mps. will i? you think so? how do _ one of 650 mps. will i? you think so? how do you — one of 650 mps. will i? you think so? how do you intend _ one of 650 mps. will i? you think so? how do you intend to... i one of 650 mp5. will i? you think so? how do you intend to... do . one of 650 mps. will i? you think. so? how do you intend to... do you reall so? how do you intend to. .. do you really think— so? how do you intend to... do you really think so _ so? how do you intend to... do you really think so - _ so? how do you intend to. .. do you really think so - i'll— so? how do you intend to... do you really think so - i'lljust _ so? how do you intend to... do you really think so - i'lljust be - so? how do you intend to... do you really think so - i'lljust be one - really think so — i'lljust be one of 650? really think so - i'll 'ust be one of 650? , , , really think so - i'll 'ust be one of 650?�* this i really think so - i'll 'ust be one of 650?�* this is| really think so - i'll 'ust be one i of 650?d this is my of 650? on paper, yes. this is my seventh parliamentary _ of 650? on paper, yes. this is my seventh parliamentary term. - of 650? on paper, yes. this is my seventh parliamentary term. if. of 650? on paper, yes. this is my| seventh parliamentary term. if you are a football fan, who would you bet one—on—one heading in for goal? i know the way to go, and i know the way to the goal of bursting the toxic bubble of these two front benches — insoluble. apparently inseparable. two cheeks of the same when it comes to the general election. _ when it comes to the general election, then, are you saying that you are _ election, then, are you saying that you are hold — election, then, are you saying that you are hold onto this seat and potentially, as you've already suggested, make gains realistically in other— suggested, make gains realistically in other parts of the country? | suggested, make gains realistically in other parts of the country? i am, eah. i in other parts of the country? i am, yeah- i mean. _ in other parts of the country? i am, yeah. i mean, four— in other parts of the country? i am, yeah. i mean, four weeks _ in other parts of the country? i am, yeah. i mean, four weeks ago, - in other parts of the country? i am, yeah. i mean, four weeks ago, you | yeah. i mean, four weeks ago, you wouldn't have credited tonight's result. so i invite you to be humble and imagine that this could be the

beginning of something new. could be the beginning of something big. i'll tell you what buttresses my point — the fact that an independent candidate came second. trounced the conservatives. so, iwin, an independent that the media and the betting markets didn't even see coming comes second. that tells you the depths of alienation that exists in the country about these two big parties. it’s in the country about these two big arties. �* . . in the country about these two big arties. �*, ., ., ., ., , , parties. it's an extraordinary set of circumstances, _ parties. it's an extraordinary set of circumstances, particularly i parties. it's an extraordinary set of circumstances, particularly -| of circumstances, particularly — we've _ of circumstances, particularly — we've not— of circumstances, particularly — we've not seen this in any of the recenl— we've not seen this in any of the recent bielections. is there something particular about rochdale, do you _ something particular about rochdale, do you think?— do you think? well, it's a special lace. do you think? well, it's a special place- the _ do you think? well, it's a special place- the co-op _ do you think? well, it's a special place. the co-op was _ do you think? well, it's a special place. the co-op was born - do you think? well, it's a special place. the co-op was born here| do you think? well, it's a special. place. the co-op was born here in place. the co—op was born here in 1844. it has place. the co—op was born here in 181m. it has a pioneering spirit. but i do think it is of national significance. i think the political class, the media, would be unwise to write it off as just "a particular set of circumstances" that would not occur anywhere else at any other time. i honestly believe that the

tory and labour duopoly, uniparty, are roundly — "despised" is a strong word, but they're disliked by millions of people. and if those people get a chance to vote for someone who could win, well, they might take it. they certainly did today. might take it. they certainly did toda . ., �* might take it. they certainly did toda. ., �* ., ., ., might take it. they certainly did toda . ., �* ., ., ., �* today. you're well aware that you're a divisive figure. _ today. you're well aware that you're a divisive figure. what _ today. you're well aware that you're a divisive figure. what are _ today. you're well aware that you're a divisive figure. what are you - a divisive figure. what are you going — a divisive figure. what are you going to — a divisive figure. what are you going to do to speak to those in rochdale — going to do to speak to those in rochdale who'll be pretty concerned, franklym _ rochdale who'll be pretty concerned, frankl ~ ., frankly... when i look at the result, frankly... when i look at the result. it _ frankly... when i look at the result, it doesn't _ frankly... when i look at the result, it doesn't look - frankly... when i look at the result, it doesn't look all - frankly... when i look at the | result, it doesn't look all that divisive. it looks like the great majority of voters tonight voted for me. of course, politics is about different choices, different paths, different choices, different paths, different attitudes to 2.3 million people starved and bombed and shelled. if that's divisive — well, 0k, shelled. if that's divisive — well, ok, i'm against genocide. some people are in favour of it. we just have to accept that's a division. mmm. infairness have to accept that's a division. mmm. in fairness to the labour party. _ mmm. in fairness to the labour party. their— mmm. in fairness to the labour party, their position now is for an immediate — party, their position now is for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

that immediate humanitarian ceasefire. thal is_ immediate humanitarian ceasefire. that is where the international community is it�*s that is where the international community i— that is where the international community i that is where the international communi i- �*, ., , �*, community is it's weasel words. it's weasel words. _ community is it's weasel words. it's weasel words. as — community is it's weasel words. it's weasel words, as the _ community is it's weasel words. it's weasel words, as the farce - community is it's weasel words. it's weasel words, as the farce in - community is it's weasel words. it's weasel words, as the farce in the i weasel words, as the farce in the parliament showed just the other week. they're not really in favour of a ceasefire. they're not really in favour of an end to the occupation. ..offreedom in favour of an end to the occupation. ..of freedom for the palestinian people. theyjust palestinian people. they just pretended palestinian people. theyjust pretended to be. and a humanitarian pause is, by definition, a state of being that will not persist — that will then be followed by further bloodshed. so the snp motion was the one they should have backed — but they didn't back it. and they didn't back it because they don't believe in it. 3? back it because they don't believe in it. j: , ., , back it because they don't believe in it. i: , ., , ., ., " .,, in it. 37 years ago, i think it was, that ou in it. 37 years ago, i think it was, that you were _ in it. 37 years ago, i think it was, that you were first _ in it. 37 years ago, i think it was, that you were first elected - in it. 37 years ago, i think it was, that you were first elected as - in it. 37 years ago, i think it was, that you were first elected as a l that you were first elected as a labour— that you were first elected as a labour mp. canned you have foreseen the political— labour mp. canned you have foreseen the political career that you have now had — the political career that you have now had and all the ups and downs, all the _ now had and all the ups and downs, all the various different things you've — all the various different things you've managed to achieve? well, no, robabl you've managed to achieve? well, no, probably not- — you've managed to achieve? well, no, probably not- but _ you've managed to achieve? well, no, probably not. but i'm _ you've managed to achieve? well, no, probably not. but i'm proud _ you've managed to achieve? well, no, probably not. but i'm proud of- you've managed to achieve? well, no, probably not. but i'm proud of the -

probably not. but i'm proud of the stands that i've made. i could do no other. that's where i stood. and i had to stand. well, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. i'vejust equalled mr churchill's record of representing four different towns and cities in parliament. in fact, i've bettered it, because he was first a conservative, then a liberal member of parliament — the two great parties of the state at that time. bell, i've been elected three times not from within the establishment. so i'm proud about that. my children are proud of it. my wife's proud of it. so if i'd been able to see that far 37 years ago, i'd probably say i would settle for that. if— would settle for that. if george galloway. _ would settle for that. if george galloway, thank _ would settle for that. if george galloway, thank you _ would settle for that. if george galloway, thank you very - would settle for that. if george | galloway, thank you very much. would settle for that. if george - galloway, thank you very much. i'll have _ galloway, thank you very much. i'll have to _ galloway, thank you very much. i'll have to let— galloway, thank you very much. i'll have to let you go. there are an awful— have to let you go. there are an awful lot — have to let you go. there are an awful lot of _ have to let you go. there are an awful lot of people, clearly, who want _ awful lot of people, clearly, who want to — awful lot of people, clearly, who want to speak to the newly elected mp for— want to speak to the newly elected mp for rochdale. you heard him say an awful— mp for rochdale. you heard him say an awful lot— mp for rochdale. you heard him say an awful lot there, didn't you? talking — an awful lot there, didn't you? talking about the message he wants to send _ talking about the message he wants to send to _ talking about the message he wants to send to the labour party and to

the political mainstream more generally — and, of course, pointing out that— generally — and, of course, pointing out that coming in second place here was an— out that coming in second place here was an independent candidate who no-one _ was an independent candidate who no—one had probably heard ofjust a few hours— no—one had probably heard ofjust a few hours beforehand. an extraordinary night here in rochdale, and he hopes that this will be _ rochdale, and he hopes that this will be the start of something new. but of _ will be the start of something new. but of course, this isn't the first time _ but of course, this isn't the first time that— but of course, this isn't the first time that he's won by—elections, and he hasn't _ time that he's won by—elections, and he hasn't ended up being in parliament for all that long. of course, — parliament for all that long. of course, he'll hope that this is very different— course, he'll hope that this is very different this time, george galloway. but, yeah, an extraordinary result, an extraordinary result, an extraordinary political moment tonight— extraordinary political moment tonight in this corner of greater manchester. tonight in this corner of greater manchester-— tonight in this corner of greater manchester. , ., �* , manchester. peter, you've been there all niuht. manchester. peter, you've been there all night- george _ manchester. peter, you've been there all night. george galloway, _ manchester. peter, you've been there all night. george galloway, right- manchester. peter, you've been there all night. george galloway, right at i all night. george galloway, right at the top of your interview with him, taking aim and saying this is a message to sir keir starmer. how concern dad you think sir keir will be about george galloway's win? lit be about george galloway's win? if you looked at this by—election, you probably thought the worst—case scenario here is george galloway winning, because it once again raises the spectre of the problems that his party faces on this issue

of the middle east. you know, it's a very, very complicated situation. it stinks of a lot of labour supporters wanting to stand up for palestine and for what israel is doing in gaza right now — particularly those labour voters from the british muslim population. and labour has relied on those voters in lots of different seats, particularly urban areas, for many, many decades now. it might be that they're just starting to look elsewhere. i think it is also true to say that in a lot of those constituencies — west midlands, large parts of london in particular — they have large labour majorities, and i don't think they'll be overly concerned to lose a lot of those individuals, because it's not obvious where they go. perhaps they would go to george galloway's workers' party of britain, but this is a party that doesn't have anywhere near the infrastructure of the other parties. but they do have a formidable campaigner, a formidable leader, in george galloway — who's proved once

again that he can upset the political apple cart.- political apple cart. really interesting _ political apple cart. really interesting again. - political apple cart. really interesting again. you i political apple cart. really - interesting again. you mentioned also — and we shouldn't lose sight of it — that an independent came second. of it - that an independent came second. . . of it - that an independent came second. ., , , , second. yeah, this is dave tully, and it is true _ second. yeah, this is dave tully, and it is true what _ second. yeah, this is dave tully, and it is true what george i second. yeah, this is dave tully, i and it is true what george galloway just said — that no—one in the media, none of the commentators, saw this one coming until we started to see the ballot papers piling up for this local businessman. and if you come to rochdale, actually — i drove through it earlier on — there are loads of signs up for this guy, and his name had been coming up on the doorstep, often with independents people think, "yeah, i like what they stand for, clearly they're not in any way affiliated to any party, they don't have to toe any kind of a line, they can really stand up for what we as individuals in this town really care about." but when it comes to it, they look at it and say it's potentially a wasted vote — independents tend to go to major parties. if you look at other independents in this by—election,

they've not done a lot — a few hundred votes between them. but tully has done something — a came pain on the ground, his mates out and about. i was told by one of the other parties he was quite successful in pubs — an effective way to get to british voters' hearts, i suppose. way to get to british voters' hearts, isuppose. i'm way to get to british voters' hearts, i suppose. i'm sure this will be digested in the days to come. it maybe does just send a message to all the mainstream parties, really, that they cannot take votes for granted. and whereas i think it used to be the case in this country decades ago that people voted along party lines and always voted along party lines and always voted along party lines and always voted a certain way. that is absolutely not the case anymore, and it is definitely not the case in the constituencies that will decide the result of the general election when it eventually comes. filth. result of the general election when it eventually comes.— it eventually comes. ok. peter saull, it eventually comes. ok. peter saull. thank — it eventually comes. ok. peter saull, thank you _ it eventually comes. ok. peter saull, thank you very - it eventually comes. ok. peter saull, thank you very much i it eventually comes. ok. peter saull, thank you very much forj it eventually comes. ok. peter- saull, thank you very much for the moment. we'll let you go off and gather more reaction to george galloway's win. thank you for the moment. i've had some reaction come in from the campaign against anti—semitism — it has said it is extremely concerned about how george

galloway will use his platform after winning the rochdale by—election — a spokesperson said, "mr galloway has now been chosen by the voters of rochdale to represent them, and is once again an mp. given his historic inflammatory rhetoric and the current situation faced by the jewish community in this country, we are extremely concerned by how he may use his platform of the house of commons in the remaining months of this parliament." so that statement from the campaign against anti—semitism, saying that it is extremely concerned about how mr galloway will use his platform after winning the rochdale by—election. if you are justjoining winning the rochdale by—election. if you arejustjoining us on bbc news, a reminder of the breaking news: the workers' party of britain candidate, george galloway — the veteran left—wing politician — has won the rochdale by—election with 12,335 votes. that's a majority of

nearly 6,000. he returns to the commons to represent a third different political party. in his victory speech, he said it was a message aimed at the labour leader sir keir starmer. he said, "this is for gaza." he began by saying, "keir starmer, this is for gaza. you have paid, and you will pay, a high price for the role you have played in enabling, encouraging and, covering the catastrophe presently going on in the gaza strip." i'll be back with more reaction to george galloway's win at li:00. you are watching bbc news. voice—0ver: this is bbc news. we'll have the headlines and all the main news stories for you at the top of the hour, straight after this programme. it was europe's biggest refugee crisis since world war ii —

10 million ukrainians driven from their homes by russia's invasion. commotion this is hard to believe in the europe of 2022. people arejust crushing all around me, trying to get onto these trains. a woman — a young mother with a baby there screaming because everyone's getting crushed. shouting she has to get on with her baby. women and children. back then, they struggled to reach the trains on platform 5 of lviv station. the memories are flooding back of all of those people, thousands, and nobody that we met had any idea what was ahead of them — it was just a question of getting out. but two years on, the tragedy of those people, of ukraine, is unresolved.

where did they go?