Respect local chairman pulls out, but the party goes on...

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It sounds like he was in it for reasons other than providing a voice for the voiceless...

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Jump to 21:40 on BBC london news

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00sdcvc#synopsis

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Galloway could stand for mayor of Tower Hamlets
13 May 2010
eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk

GEORGE Galloway has kept the door open for a return to politics in Tower Hamlets, confirming he may run for mayor in October. A packed press conference in Shadwell heard Mr Galloway would definitely run for mayor of Tower Hamlets if his old adversary Oona King stood for Labour.

Mr Galloway, who was defeated in Poplar and Limehouse last week, said he would find the challenge 'irresistible.' However, when the Advertiser contacted Ms King she told us she had 'absolutely no intention' of running for mayor.

He gave the press conference to mark the end of his time with Respect in Tower Hamlets. Mr Galloway said: "We are bloodied but unbowed. We'll be back to fight for the people of this borough whenever they need us."

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It's good to know that the party isn't over... and I'm sure GG will go for the mayorship regardless of what Oona King does.

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Galloway hits back at 'gross lies' over Respects's future
13 May 2010
by John Millington in Tower Hamlets
morningstaronline.co.uk

Respect is here to stay, a defiant George Galloway has declared at a packed press conference in east London. Following the party's disappointing showing in the recent local and general elections, Mr Galloway hit back at the "gross distortions and lies" that the party was finished.

Mr Galloway rebutted the BBC suggestion that the party had no money following the departure of its biggest donor, stating: "These are false claims. Azmal Hussein is Tower Hamlets Respect chairman not national chairman," he said. "And if you check, you will see he is not a major financial backer of the party. The party will continue to be funded in the same way as before - by small donations from supporters and members. They are not rich in money but rich in commitment and spirit." Mr Galloway promised to instigate legal action if the BBC did not issue a retraction.

In the run-up to a bitterly fought election, where Mr Galloway finished third in Poplar and Limehouse behind eventual Labour victor Jim Fitzpatrick, suggestions were raised that Respect was merely a "Muslim party." But Respect Bethnal Green and Bow candidate Abjol Miah dismissed the suggestion and said that voters were different depending on what part of the country you go to. "Yes, in Tower Hamlets we have predominantly Bangladeshi and Muslim members but that reflects the local circumstances. Respect members in Manchester and further north are for example mainly white."

Mr Miah defended the record of councillors in the area, crediting them with pushing up social housing provision to 35 per cent. "However this is still lower than former mayor Ken Livingstone's target of 50 per cent in the capital and that is due to new Labour," he said.

Mr Galloway praised local Respect councillors for opposing the opening of strip clubs in the area and insisted that Respect would be part of any campaign to defend public services from the coalition government's cuts. "Working people have already paid enough for the crisis," and those responsible should pay, he said. Asked whether Respect would align with Labour in opposition to defend the public from any cuts, Mr Galloway added: "Whoever comes to its side, we will be there."