George Galloway declares war on ‘wrecker-in-chief of Brexit’ Watson
Left-winger to stand against Labour deputy after accusing him of sabotaging Corbyn
GEORGE Galloway is to stand against Labour’s deputy Tom Watson in his Black Country seat – accusing him of being the “wrecker-in-chief of Brexit”.
The left-wing independent also accused Mr Watson of trying to harm Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Mr Galloway declared his intention to run against Mr Watson in West Bromwich East at the next election.
Mr Watson hit back, saying: “George Galloway’s attack is nonsensical and factually incorrect. Jeremy Corbyn and I share the same position on Brexit and, far from blocking it, we’re trying to find a solution.”
LEFT-WING politician George Galloway is to stand against West Bromwich MP Tom Watson after declaring the Labour deputy was the “wrecker-in-chief of Brexit”.
Mr Galloway is to fight as a proBrexit and pro-Jeremy Corbyn independent candidate in Mr Watson’s seat of West Bromwich East.
This week he accused Mr Watson of attempting to block Brexit, and trying to “wreck” Jeremy Corbyn’s campaign to become Prime Minister.
He said: “I am an experienced Parliamentarian, I am an experienced campaigner and election fighter and Tom Watson now has a battle on his hands.”
Mr Watson hit back, insisting he was working with Mr Corbyn to find a solution to the UK’s Brexit mess, and claiming Mr Galloway “fawned pathetically” to former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.
Mr Galloway told the Post he was firmly committed to Brexit and argued Mr Watson was letting down
his constituents by demanding a second referendum.
“I think he has badly let down the 68 per cent of his constituents who voted for Brexit. That is my principle gripe with him.
“He has become the wrecker-inchief of Brexit. And when more than two-thirds of your own constituents chose Brexit, that is an abuse of his position.” Mr Galloway also claimed that Mr Watson had ‘sabotaged’ efforts to elect a Labour government led by Mr Corbyn.
“Secondly, his constituency badly needs a Labour government. And he is the principle obstacle to having a Labour government. He does nothing in politics except try to wreck the possibility of Labour being elected in what might well now be an early election. He has done everything in his power to make Labour unelectable.” Mr Galloway said that if elected as an independent, he would back Mr Corbyn and a Labour government.
He added: “I have deep connections with the Black Country and Birmingham and it would be a joy and an honour to represent them in Parliament.”
Mr Watson hit back, saying: “George Galloway’s attack is nonsensical and factually incorrect. Jeremy Corbyn and I share the same position on Brexit and far from blocking it we’re trying to find a solution.
“And as regards to reputation, George Galloway has caused more reputational damage to Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party than any single other politician. That’s why even Jeremy’s allies on Labour’s governing body have chosen not to re-admit him to the party.
“If he is serious about standing in our area, he’ll have to explain to every resident why he fawned so pathetically to Saddam Hussein. We’re patriots here.”
This appears to be a reference to an incident in 1994 when Mr Galloway met the former Iraqi leader and told Saddam: “Sir, I salute your courage, your strength your indefatigability. And I want you to know that we are with you until victory, until victory, until Jerusalem.”
Mr Galloway has launched an online fundraising drive for his election campaign, which brought in more than £4,600 in just one day. That suggests he is likely to reach his target of £25,000. He’s said any cash left over will be donated to foodbanks.
He was a Labour MP from 1987 until 2003, when he was expelled after a party panel found him guilty of four charges of bringing the party into disrepute. He said then that he was the victim of “a politicallymotivated kangaroo court”.
He went on to become a leading figure in Respect, a party founded in Birmingham which grew out of the Stop The War movement. He was elected as MP for Bethnal Green and Bow in the 2005 General Election, and later as MP for Bradford West in the 2012 by-election.
Mr Galloway is also known for his appearance in 2006 on Celebrity Big Brother, in which in one memorable scene he pretended to be a cat.
His constituency badly needs a Labour government. And he is the principle obstacle to having a Labour government
George Galloway