01 March 2024 , 22:05
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A fail for Rochdale
The people of Rochdale deserved better than having a such a poor choice of candidates in the by-election. They also deserve better than to have George Galloway as their MP.
Labour must take some of the blame. The party rushed its selection process, failing to do the due diligence which might have exposed Azhar Ali’s unsuitability to be their candidate. Once they had rightly disowned him, they opened the door to Galloway who trades in the politics of confrontation and division.
Rochdalians will soon realise their new MP cares more about himself than their town. He stands accused of baiting the Jewish community, siding with the Kremlin on the Ukraine war and defending regimes like Iran.
History suggests he will use his place in the Commons to champion his unsavoury views rather than fight for the jobs, regeneration and public services his constituents need. Labour must now find a candidate who can win back the seat at the general election and give the town the voice it so badly deserves.
Defying Putin
During his lifetime, Alexei Navalny showed remarkable courage by defying the tyrannical regime of Vladimir Putin. That spirit was on display again yesterday as thousands of mourners gathered in Moscow for the former opposition leader’s funeral.
Putin accused of surrounding himself with same 'actors' at series of events
Risking arrest, they bravely chanted anti-Putin slogans. It was a heartening reminder that many Russians still refuse to be intimidated by the Kremlin and are prepared to fight for justice, free speech and democracy.Apologists for Putin should ask themselves which side they are on: that of freedom, or a president determined to quash all opposition?
Price is blight
As millions struggle to make ends meet, Tory donors forked out £25,000 for dinner with Jeremy Hunt and £115,000 for a signed picture of the Cabinet. The party’s wealthy backers know the price of everything and the value of nothing.