[arista]

ByElection.


https://news.sky.com/story/sir-tony-...ed-73-13046240

[The MP for Rochdale, who served as a
politician across Greater Manchester
for over 40 years, had been receiving
treatment for blood cancer.

But in January, he said it had turned into
an aggressive and untreatable form
of leukaemia, and he was leaving the hospital
to "spend the time I have left with my family".

Despite his illness, Sir Tony ended his
message by reassuring his constituents his
office would remain open to ensure they
were still supported.]

[joeysteele]

Sad news.
Long serving MP.
R.I.P..

[arista]

[Rochdale by-election: Candidates list

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-englan...ester-68250468

It Includes George Galloway - Workers Party of Britain]

One of them of the 11
Azhar Ali - Labour

Has Apologised for his Tweet on Israel.
which he deleted.


He claimed Israel let the attack happen on the 7th

https://news.sky.com/story/labour-ca...ction-13069105

[arista]

[Vice-Chairman Craig Tracey said:
'The fact that Sir Keir's candidate for Rochdale
is spreading these bizarre and offensive
anti-Israel conspiracy theories shows
that for all his bluster,
he's failed to change his party.

'These are the ramblings of an internet crank,
not someone who aspires to be
a Member of Parliament.'


Last night Mr Ali issued a statement
to The Mail on Sunday, saying:
'I apologise unreservedly
to the Jewish community for my comments
which were deeply offensive,
ignorant, and false.

Hamas's horrific terror attack was the
responsibility of Hamas alone,
and they are still holding hostages
who must be released.

October 7 was the greatest loss of Jewish
life in a single day since the Holocaust,
and Jews in the UK and across the
world are living in fear of rising anti-Semitism.

I will urgently apologise to Jewish leaders
for my inexcusable comments.

'The Labour Party has changed unrecognizable
under Keir Starmer's leadership – he has my
full support in delivering the change Britain needs.'

Mr Ali made his initial remarks
at a meeting of the Lancashire Labour Party
soon after the attacks,
making the astonishing claim that
the Israeli government had removed
its border security to give the
Hamas terrorists free rein.]


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...vade-Gaza.html

[bitontheslide]

that sort of candidate will lose labour the election

[arista]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

that sort of candidate will lose labour the election

Yes,
Many are saying that.

[joeysteele]

My goodness
A tightened up procedure to select candidates and then they pick this dubious at best one.

What a mess.

Rochdale deserves better, Labour have taken the voters of Rochdale for granted for way too long

[arista]

[arista]

11 Candidates

George Galloway : Workers Party
Simon Danczuk : Reform Party
Paul Ellison : Conservative Party
Ian Donaldson : LibDem Party
Azhar Ali : Labour Party
Guy Otten : Green Party


Mark Coleman Ind
David Tully Ind
Michael Howarth Ind
William Howarth Ind
Ravin Subortna Loony

[DemRed]

I won't be voting for any of them.

[bitontheslide]

this is a bi election, which would normally attract the best of the best from all political sides, to try and snatch the win ...... and look at the cast of characters on this one

[LeatherTrumpet]

The fact he shared these disgusting conspiracy theories with labour members and none reported it

What does that say about Labour and anti-Semitism in 2024?

[arista]

Labour has Now Withdrawn support


for Ali

All Media


https://news.sky.com/story/politics-...armer-12593360

[arista]

Originally Posted by arista

[Vice-Chairman Craig Tracey said:
'The fact that Sir Keir's candidate for Rochdale
is spreading these bizarre and offensive
anti-Israel conspiracy theories shows
that for all his bluster,
he's failed to change his party.

'These are the ramblings of an internet crank,
not someone who aspires to be
a Member of Parliament.'


Last night Mr Ali issued a statement
to The Mail on Sunday, saying:
'I apologise unreservedly
to the Jewish community for my comments
which were deeply offensive,
ignorant, and false.

Hamas's horrific terror attack was the
responsibility of Hamas alone,
and they are still holding hostages
who must be released.

October 7 was the greatest loss of Jewish
life in a single day since the Holocaust,
and Jews in the UK and across the
world are living in fear of rising anti-Semitism.

I will urgently apologise to Jewish leaders
for my inexcusable comments.

'The Labour Party has changed unrecognizable
under Keir Starmer's leadership – he has my
full support in delivering the change Britain needs.'

Mr Ali made his initial remarks
at a meeting of the Lancashire Labour Party
soon after the attacks,
making the astonishing claim that
the Israeli government had removed
its border security to give the
Hamas terrorists free rein.]


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...vade-Gaza.html

Update
Labour Party now no longer backs him

[bitontheslide]

they are only doing it because there was a public outcry, how many others will get in at the next election. I'm not even saying the tories will be any better, i am sure they will have a few nutters in their ranks too

[arista]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

they are only doing it because there was a public outcry, how many others will get in at the next election. I'm not even saying the tories will be any better, i am sure they will have a few nutters in their ranks too

Yes, no one wants Ali
now

[bitontheslide]

Labour says it has “withdrawn support” for Rochdale by-election candidate Azhar Ali following his comments about Israel.

The BBC understands Mr Ali has been suspended from the Labour Party pending an investigation.

Labour said the decision was taken after "new information about further comments" made by Mr Ali came to light.

It is too late for Labour to replace Mr Ali as its candidate, the party said.

Mr Ali is alleged to have told a Labour party meeting that Israel had "allowed" the deadly attack by Hamas gunmen on 7 October.

Labour has faced intense pressure since the remarks surfaced, which have been condemned by both party members and political rivals.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-68280098

[arista]

[It is too late for Labour to replace
Mr Ali as its candidate, the party said.]


Amazing.

[bitontheslide]

i don't know if this means he cant stand or if he still can as an independent

he stands but as an independent if elected

[arista]

[joeysteele]

Good that he has been swiftly suspended from the Party.
Hope he still doesn't win in Rochdale, let it go Lib Dem until the general election.

[arista]

[arista]

Labour are Pathetic on this Ali

Release the New Recording of him

It is Far worse, so let's bloody have it.


Also The Media should give George Gallaway an interview

Why not
he is the Workers party.


BBC spent a whole day there on Monday &
completely ignored him.
Something that is wrong

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by arista

Labour are Pathetic on this Ali

Release the New Recording of him

It is Far worse, so let's bloody have it.


Also The Media should give George Gallaway an interview

Why not
he is the Workers party.


BBC spent a whole day there on Monday &
completely ignored him.
Something that is wrong

Yes they should make the full recording known

Far from being pathetic, action has been rightly taken within 2 days .
How many days and weeks did the Cons try to protect and save dubious financial issue MPs, also even sexual predators before getting rid?
Hypocritical Sunak trying to make a meal of this one.

How this Ali man was EVER selected to be Labour's candidate in Rochdale is the real disgrace.
Hopefully he loses in Rochdale.

Why hear from Galloway, have the long suffering voters not suffered enough politically from having extreme politicians pushed into their living rooms
Galloway likely holds far worse views than this Ali, as to Israel
There's many other candidates in Rochdale were not hearing from, never mind Galloway.

[bitontheslide]

They have been trying to cover up the goings on in Rochdale for decades, and obviously still are, so I wouldn't hold my breath expecting any clarity from any political party. The whole thing stinks