With George Galloway vowing to be Sir Keir Starmer’s “worst nightmare” after his Rochdale by-election win, former Tory cabinet minister Ann Widdecombe has refused to rule out an improbable general election triumph for her old party.
Mr Galloway used his victory speech to savage Sir Keir and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, describing them as “two cheeks of the same backside”.
And Ms Widdecombe, more recently a Brexit Party MEP, said neither of the major parties could afford to rest on their laurels after a turbulent few days.
Speaking to GB News, the former Maidstone MP recalled ex-Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson’s famous remark when she said: “A week is a very long time in politics.”
She continued: “And six months is an age. Anything is possible.
“I don’t say it’s probable that the Tories can come back. But anything is possible and that is why Prime Ministers who are facing a lot go later rather than sooner because they think well suddenly something might jump out of Pandora’s Box.”
Speaking of Sir Keir, Ms Widdecombe said: “I wouldn’t take anything for granted. And actually, I don’t think he does.
“Because when you’re ahead in the polls, actually, I tell you this and I’ll tell you this from wrong experience, you actually get quite nervous.”
Ms Widdecombe also ruled emulating Mr Galloway by having another crack at getting into Parliament.
She explained: “I’m 76 Now, supposing I won.
The idea that at 81 I could be putting the enthusiasm into constituency surgeries which is actually required if you’re to be a decent MP, I think is a little unlikely.”
Mr Galloway was elected with a majority of more than 6,000, and will sit as the leader of the Workers Party of Britain.
Labour previously withdrew support for its own candidate, Azhar Ali after he made remarks which the party judged to be antisemitic for which he subsequently apologised.
Mr Galloway served as a Labour Party MP until 2003, before sitting as an independent and then serving as a Respect Party MP for three different constituencies between 2003 and 2015.
Speaking last night he said: “Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak are two cheeks of the same backside and they both got well and truly spanked tonight here in Rochdale.”
A Labour spokesperson said: “We deeply regret that the Labour party was unable to field a candidate in this by-election and apologise to the people of Rochdale. George Galloway only won because Labour did not stand.
“Rochdale deserved the chance to vote for an MP that would bring communities together and deliver for working people.
“George Galloway is only interested in stoking fear and division. As an MP he will be a damaging force in our communities and public life.
“The Labour party will quickly begin the process to select a new Labour candidate for the general election, and will be campaigning hard to deliver the representation and fresh start that Rochdale deserves.”
