George Galloway will not be standing to replace Andy Burnham as the mayor for Greater Manchester, despite previously announcing his candidacy. The Workers Party leader had declared last month he would enter the race to succeed Mr Burnham, who stepped down after winning the Makerfield by-election.
Assurances Not Received
Mr Galloway's candidacy was conditional on receiving assurances from the government that he would not be detained again under counter-terrorism legislation. The former MP is currently living outside the UK in self-imposed exile after being held at Gatwick Airport by counter-terrorism police in September.
A Workers Party spokesperson stated: “As our June 19 statement explained, George’s candidacy rested on many factors; not least an undertaking from the British State not to use counter-terrorism legislation to seize him should he return to Britain. No undertaking has been received.”
Timing and Strategy
The party also cited the timing of the by-election as a factor. The spokesperson added: “The Burnham Bounce factor, coupled with Labour’s decision to force an immediate contest, gives other parties including ourselves no time to prepare for the fight and the campaign in the middle of summer with a vote during school summer holidays. For that reason we have not entered a candidate.”
The Workers Party believes the early election could signal a general election. “The Burnham Coronation is imminent, a win for Labour in Manchester may tempt them to call an early General Election. In light of this the Workers Party has reopened our application process and is inviting prospective parliamentary candidates to register with us as soon as possible.”
Background and Previous Ambitions
Mr Galloway had been eyeing the Greater Manchester mayoral role for years. In 2024, he hinted he would run when the term was originally due to end in 2028. In a post on X on June 19 declaring his candidacy, the former Rochdale MP said: “Labour under Starmer are apparently running so scared of losing the position they are planning the election for July 30, the dog days of summer in the middle of the summer holidays.”
He added: “I have today asked my lawyers to seek from the Starmer government the assurance that I will be allowed by them to fight the election and not held, again, by armed police officers under the Terrorism Act at the airport. What else can I do, fight a British election from China?”
Political Career
Mr Galloway served as an MP for five different constituencies over five decades, most recently Rochdale. He represented Glasgow Hillhead and Glasgow Kelvin for Labour from 1987 until 2003, when he was expelled and became an independent. He later led the Respect Party, representing Bethnal Green and Bow between 2005 and 2010, and took Bradford West in a by-election in 2012, serving for three years.
Official Candidates
The full list of official candidates for the Greater Manchester Mayoral by-election, in alphabetical order, is:
- Sian Astley: Reform UK
- Geraldine Coggins: Green Party
- Bev Craig: Labour
- Phil Eckersley: Conservative
- Marcus Farmer: Independent
- Richard Kilpatrick: Liberal Democrats
- Marlon West: Restore Britain
Anyone not registered to vote has until midnight on Tuesday July 14 to do so. Polling stations across Greater Manchester will be open from 7am until 10pm on Thursday July 30. The results will be declared on Friday, July 31.
