George Galloway to contest Holborn and St Pancras by-election from South Africa

George Galloway, leader of the Workers Party of Britain (WPB), has announced his candidacy for the Holborn and St Pancras by-election while currently in South Africa. Galloway describes his situation as a self-imposed “exile” following a detention by counter-terrorism police at Gatwick Airport last September. The WPB stated that Galloway is awaiting confirmation from the Home Office regarding his ability to campaign before returning to the United Kingdom.

The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from political opponents. The Labour Party dismissed Galloway’s candidacy, citing his “track record of divisive campaigns” and noting his absence from the country. Additionally, Baroness Jenny Jones of the Green Party criticized him as a “glory seeker” who may cause voter confusion without making a significant impact on the result.

Galloway has used the announcement to criticize the current political establishment, specifically targeting the support provided to Ukraine. He maintains that his campaign will focus on “bread-and-butter issues” and the economic wellbeing of citizens.