Suggestions that George Galloway should be readmitted to the Labour party are rather bewildering. As chair of the women’s parliamentary Labour party, I am sure that there would be an almighty revolt.
Galloway has an ugly track record in opposing Labour women. Talk to Naz Shah, the brilliant new member of parliament for Bradford West, who described Galloway’s election campaign as ‘misogynistic, vitriolic and very dangerous’. He questioned her revelation that she had been forced into marriage at the age of 15, totally missing the point that it was a forced marriage.
Oona King lost her Bethnal Green and Bow seat in 2005. On the BBC’s election results programme Galloway was asked by Jeremy Paxman, ‘Are you proud of having got rid of one of the very few black women in parliament?’
A little more insight into the man was revealed when Salma Yaqoob resigned as leader of Respect over Galloway’s podcast in which he explained, ‘Not everybody needs to be asked prior to each insertion. Some people believe that when you go to bed with somebody, take off your clothes, and have sex with them and then fall asleep, you’re already in the sex game with them.’ Kate Hudson, who had been planning to stand as Respect’s candidate in the Manchester Central by-election in 2012, pulled out of the contest following the remarks.
I have spoken to Jeremy Corbyn and he has told me he is not in favour of letting Galloway back in. I have had it suggested that those arguing for his readmission want to stop him standing in the London mayoral election and damaging the prospects of our superb candidate Sadiq Khan. Galloway stood for the London assembly in 2008 and got two per cent of the vote. I think we should have faith in Sadiq, a candidate who personifies London in all its glorious diversity.
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Dawn Butler MP is chair of the women’s parliamentary Labour party. She tweets @DawnButlerBrent
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I don’t think the main point to be made about the 2005 contest in Bethnal Green and Bow is that Galloway was asked a question about it by Jeremy Paxman; Galloway can hardly be blamed for the wording of the question. The point is the “poisonous atmosphere” (Oona King’s description) of intimidation and even direct physical attacks on Oona King and her supporters. Her car was attacked several times and she had eggs thrown at her. Galloway’s blood-curdling rhetoric did much to build up the tension. Could he have done something to restrain the violence beyond piously mentioning his “concern and sorrow” about it? I’m fairly sure he could.
The only people who have made this suggestion is the Sun and mail this is a total non story and by giving it any oxygen is foolish a distraction and Dawn Butler MP should no better
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i’m very happy to see that Jeremy has said that Galloway will not be made welcome.
Galloway is a very dangerous man who we will stood to digging up files on family members of those who stand against him. He’s a disgrace and has no place in politics let alone back in the party