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George Galloway wins Bradford West by-election George Galloway wins Bradford West by-election
(40 minutes later)
Respect Party candidate George Galloway has won the Bradford West by-election, taking the seat from Labour by more than 10,000 votes.Respect Party candidate George Galloway has won the Bradford West by-election, taking the seat from Labour by more than 10,000 votes.
Mr Galloway, expelled from Labour in 2003, said it was the "most sensational victory" in by-election history. Mr Galloway, expelled by Labour in 2003, said it was the "most sensational victory" in by-election history. He received 18,341 votes - a 56% share.
The by-election was triggered after Labour's Marsha Singh, who had a majority of 5,763 at the 2010 General Election, resigned on health grounds. He said his victory represented a "total rejection" of the major parties.
Labour had held the seat since 1974, except for a brief period in the 1980s. Labour's Marsha Singh, who resigned on health grounds, had a majority of 5,763 at the 2010 General Election.
Mr Galloway won the by-election with 18,341 votes, pushing Labour candidate Imran Hussein into second with 8,201. The party had held the seat since 1974, except for a brief period in the 1980s when the sitting MP defected to the SDP.
Labour candidate Imran Hussein came second with 8,201 votes as the party's share of the vote was 20% down on its 2010 figure.
'Bradford spring'
Conservative candidate Jackie Whiteley was third, with 2,746 votes. Jeanette Sunderland, of the Liberal Democrats, secured 1,505 votes.Conservative candidate Jackie Whiteley was third, with 2,746 votes. Jeanette Sunderland, of the Liberal Democrats, secured 1,505 votes.
Mr Galloway said the result represented the "Bradford Spring". Mr Galloway, who co-founded the anti-war Respect Party after leaving Labour, said the result represented the "Bradford Spring".
He said the "mammoth majority" and "mammoth vote" represented a "total rejection" of the three major parties in the British political system.He said the "mammoth majority" and "mammoth vote" represented a "total rejection" of the three major parties in the British political system.
Mr Galloway, who was expelled by Labour in 2003 for his anti-Iraq war comments, urged his former party to turn away "decisively" from the course set by former party leader Tony Blair, which he said involved attacks on other countries. Mr Galloway, who was expelled by Labour for his anti-Iraq war comments, urged his former party to turn away "decisively" from the course set by former party leader Tony Blair, which he said involved attacks on other countries.
He urged his former colleagues to "unite the coalition" it once had. He urged his former colleagues to "stop taking their supporters for granted" and "unite the coalition" it once had.
BBC Yorkshire political editor Len Tingle said there had been little sign of such an upset coming. BBC Yorkshire political editor Len Tingle said there had effectively been two campaigns - one with the three main UK parties focused on the economy and jobs, and the other run by Mr Galloway which had his party's anti-war message at its forefront.
He said that there had effectively been two campaigns - one with the three main UK parties focused on the economy and jobs, and the other run by Mr Galloway which had his party's anti-war message at its forefront. 'Lonely' and 'loud'
It is the second time Mr Galloway has upset the political odds - he pulled off one of the results of the 2005 General Election when he overturned a large Labour majority in Bethnal Green and Bow to become the anti-war Respect Party's first MP. BBC political correspondent Chris Mason said there had been a feeling, prior to the by-election, that Mr Galloway might split the left-wing vote, but he had not been expected to defeat Labour.
Our correspondent said the margin of the victory was "extraordinary", adding that it was not simply a matter of the Labour Party losing to Mr Galloway but "being thumped" by him and his party.
He predicted that, once in the House of Commons, Mr Galloway would be "a lone voice but a very loud one".
It is the second time Mr Galloway has upset the political odds - he pulled off one of the results of the 2005 General Election when he overturned a large Labour majority in Bethnal Green and Bow to become the Respect Party's first MP.
His win in Bradford West is a remarkable comeback after disappointing showings at the 2010 General Election and the 2011 Scottish Parliament elections.His win in Bradford West is a remarkable comeback after disappointing showings at the 2010 General Election and the 2011 Scottish Parliament elections.
The outcome was being closely watched by all the parties as a snapshot of voter opinion, following last week's Budget and ahead of council and mayoral elections next month.The outcome was being closely watched by all the parties as a snapshot of voter opinion, following last week's Budget and ahead of council and mayoral elections next month.
The Conservatives came second in the constituency in 2010, on a 65% turnout, ahead of the Liberal Democrats in third.The Conservatives came second in the constituency in 2010, on a 65% turnout, ahead of the Liberal Democrats in third.
Labour have held the seat since 1974, except for a brief period in the early 1980s when the sitting MP defected to the SDP.Labour have held the seat since 1974, except for a brief period in the early 1980s when the sitting MP defected to the SDP.
There have been five by-elections in England and Scotland since the start of the current Parliament - Oldham and Saddleworth, Barnsley Central, Leicester South, Inverclyde and Feltham and Heston - with Labour retaining all five seats. Prior to Bradford West, there had been five by-elections in England and Scotland since the start of the current Parliament - Oldham and Saddleworth, Barnsley Central, Leicester South, Inverclyde and Feltham and Heston - with Labour retaining all five seats.
The full result (with vote share and change since 2010 in brackets):The full result (with vote share and change since 2010 in brackets):
George Galloway (Respect) 18,341 (55.89%, +52.83%)George Galloway (Respect) 18,341 (55.89%, +52.83%)
Imran Hussain (Lab) 8,201 (24.99%, -20.36%)Imran Hussain (Lab) 8,201 (24.99%, -20.36%)
Jackie Whiteley (C) 2,746 (8.37%, -22.78%)Jackie Whiteley (C) 2,746 (8.37%, -22.78%)
Jeanette Sunderland (LD) 1,505 (4.59%, -7.08%)Jeanette Sunderland (LD) 1,505 (4.59%, -7.08%)
Sonja McNally (UKIP) 1,085 (3.31%, +1.31%)Sonja McNally (UKIP) 1,085 (3.31%, +1.31%)
Dawud Islam (Green) 481 (1.47%, -0.85%)Dawud Islam (Green) 481 (1.47%, -0.85%)
Neil Craig (D Nats) 344 (1.05%)Neil Craig (D Nats) 344 (1.05%)
Howling Laud Hope (Loony) 111 (0.34%)Howling Laud Hope (Loony) 111 (0.34%)