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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 taken the Bradford West parliamentary seat from Labour, winning the by-election by 10,100 votes.Respect Party candidate George Galloway has taken the Bradford West parliamentary seat from Labour, winning the by-election by 10,100 votes.
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.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.
He said his victory represented a "total rejection" of the major parties. Labour's deputy leader Harriet Harman said the results were "disappointing".
At the 2010 General Election, Labour's Marsha Singh, who resigned on health grounds, won with a majority of 5,763 .At the 2010 General Election, Labour's Marsha Singh, who resigned on health grounds, won with a majority of 5,763 .
'Bradford spring'
The party had held the West Yorkshire seat since 1974, except for a brief period in the 1980s when the sitting MP defected to the SDP.The party had held the West Yorkshire 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.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, who co-founded the anti-war Respect Party after being expelled by Labour because of comments he made as part of his opposition to the Iraq war, said the result represented the "Bradford Spring".Mr Galloway, who co-founded the anti-war Respect Party after being expelled by Labour because of comments he made as part of his opposition to the Iraq war, 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 urged his former party to turn away "decisively" from the course set by former Prime Minister Tony Blair.Mr Galloway urged his former party to turn away "decisively" from the course set by former Prime Minister Tony Blair.
He said Labour "must stop imagining that working people and poor people have no option but to support them if they hate the Tory and Liberal Democrat coalition partners.He said Labour "must stop imagining that working people and poor people have no option but to support them if they hate the Tory and Liberal Democrat coalition partners.
George Galloway's victory is the first time an independent candidate has won a Parliamentary by-election in Britain since March 1973, when Dick Taverne won the Lincoln by-election (taking it from Labour).
It is also the first time since the May 2000 Romsey by-election (when the Conservatives lost to the Lib Dems) that the main Opposition party has lost a seat in a by-election.
Bradford West is not a typical seat. In the great Labour landslide of 1997, when the Conservatives suffered their worst result since 1832, Bradford West swung their way, although it did stay Labour.
In the 2010 general election, when there was a national swing of 5.1% to the Conservatives, and a regional swing of 6.8% to the Conservatives in West Yorkshire, Bradford West swung 2.7% to Labour.
This does not detract from Mr Galloway's remarkable victory, nor lessen Labour's embarrassment at losing its seat but it prompts the need to be cautious about reading great national trends into this result.
"They have to stop supporting illegal, bloody, costly foreign wars because one of the reasons why they were so decisively defeated this evening is that the public don't believe that they have atoned for their role in the invasion and occupation of other people's countries and the drowning of those countries in blood.""They have to stop supporting illegal, bloody, costly foreign wars because one of the reasons why they were so decisively defeated this evening is that the public don't believe that they have atoned for their role in the invasion and occupation of other people's countries and the drowning of those countries in blood."
Mr Galloway urged his former colleagues to "stop taking their supporters for granted" and "unite the coalition" it once had.
The Respect politician was mobbed by supporters as he left the count.The Respect politician was mobbed by supporters as he left the count.
Labour's deputy leader Harriet Harman told Sky News that Labour had not taken the constituency for granted. Labour's deputy leader Harriet Harman told the BBC that the result was "very disappointing" and the party had not seen it coming.
"There had been active campaigning over a long period of time, but something did go very badly wrong and our connections, roots and engagement with the local community and people up and down that constituency obviously were not deep enough, not strong enough," she said. "It was quite a last-minute phenomenon," she told Radio 4's Today programme. "It was a real bandwagon."
"But the idea we were simply neglectful and absent is not the case, it's actually more complicated than that." Ms Harman said Labour would "learn lessons" but would not "jump to swift conclusions" about the result. She also denied it was symptomatic of a wider problem with the party's economic message or Ed Miliband's leadership.
Labour's candidate did not make a speech after the results were announced, but Labour MP Toby Perkins said the Bradford West result was "desperately disappointing". "The evidence is that this is a particular problem in Bradford. It is a serious problem that we need to address".
He attributed Mr Galloway's success partly to his celebrity status from having appeared on TV reality show Celebrity Big Brother which he said had been "a very significant factor".
"They wanted him on their streets and now they've got it, and let's hope that he lives up to the promise that he's made to them and actually delivers on the optimism that surrounds his campaign," Mr Perkins said.
'Lone, loud voice'
A Liberal Democrat spokesman said the party was "clearly disappointed" with the result.A Liberal Democrat spokesman said the party was "clearly disappointed" with the result.
"While we were always expecting to fight for fourth in this election, it is quite astonishing for Labour to lose this seat and the Conservatives see such a drop," he said."While we were always expecting to fight for fourth in this election, it is quite astonishing for Labour to lose this seat and the Conservatives see such a drop," he said.
Lib Dem MP for Bradford East, David Ward, said Mr Galloway still spoke for the old Labour Party.Lib Dem MP for Bradford East, David Ward, said Mr Galloway still spoke for the old Labour Party.
"This was the Asian community within Bradford, really, who are in some ways punishing the Labour Party for abusing them and using them in the past.""This was the Asian community within Bradford, really, who are in some ways punishing the Labour Party for abusing them and using them in the past."
Kris Hopkins, the Conservative MP for nearby Keighley, said his party had not won Bradford West for 42 years, so "there were not high expectations". Conservative Party co-chair Baroness Warsi said Mr Galloway had clearly "connected" with the electorate and suggested the result was disastrous for Labour.
"It is Labour that have been wiped out tonight. It must be a huge humiliation for Ed Miliband and his team," he added. "If Ed Miliband can't get his act together after a week like this when is he going to get his act together?" she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
But Mr Hopkins said that mainstream parties needed to acknowledge the choices of young people "who have either not engaged in politics or have been disenfranchised". "This is a Labour seat, has been for many, many decades and last night they lost it in spectacular fashion."
"It's up to us to get out on the doorstep - to give them some sensible alternatives to Mr Galloway's rant."
BBC Yorkshire political editor Len Tingle said there had effectively been two campaigns in the seat - 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.BBC Yorkshire political editor Len Tingle said there had effectively been two campaigns in the seat - 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.
BBC political correspondent Chris Mason said there had been a feeling that Mr Galloway might split the left-wing vote, but he had not been expected to defeat Labour. It is the second time Mr Galloway has upset the political odds - he pulled off one of the most memorable results of the 2005 General Election when he overturned a large Labour majority in London's Bethnal Green and Bow to become the Respect Party's first MP.
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. His win in Bradford West is a remarkable comeback after disappointing showings at the 2010 General Election and the 2011 Scottish Parliament elections. With a different candidate, Respect only came fifth in Bradford West in the 2010 general election.
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 London's 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.
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. Respect was fifth in 2010.
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.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%)
Do you live in Bradford West? Did you vote George Galloway? Send us your comments using the form below.Do you live in Bradford West? Did you vote George Galloway? Send us your comments using the form below.