Labour has secured a significant victory in Rochdale, defeating left-wing populist George Galloway in a closely watched race. This outcome comes as a relief to the party, which had been concerned about its standing among Muslim voters following its stance on Israel's conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
Galloway had previously won the seat in a by-election, running on a platform that strongly supported the Palestinian cause in the town of Rochdale, known for its sizable Muslim community. However, Labour has now reclaimed power in the constituency, prevailing over Galloway with a 33% to 29% margin.
Initially, Labour had expressed strong support for Israel's military actions against Hamas. However, the party's position has evolved over time, with increasing criticism of Israel's conduct in Gaza. Labour now advocates for a ceasefire in the region and the safe return of hostages held by Hamas.
Despite this shift in stance, Labour faced challenges in winning over Muslim voters during the local elections in May. The party's initial response to the conflict had raised concerns within its ranks about potential repercussions on its support base.
