George Galloway’s Rochdale victory reflects the bleak state of British politics

sir – It is a sad reflection on the state of the nation that George Galloway has won the Rochdale by-election (telegraph.co.uk, March 1).

No one wants the Tories or Labour, and Reform UK is still a work in progress. A vote for Mr Galloway is a vote for pointless nihilism, and I am sure that is exactly what he will provide.

Mick Ferrie

Mawnan Smith, Cornwall

sir – The election of George Galloway in Rochdale is clear evidence of the morass into which British politics has sunk.

Brian Pegnall Falmouth, Cornwall

sir – It is to be hoped that George Galloway’s victory will not result in even more anti-Israel demonstrations taking place in the capital and elsewhere.

The last thing the country needs is someone who causes further trouble. What it does need is for Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour Party to stand up for the right of the only democratic country in the Middle East to defend itself against the terrorists of Hamas and Hezbollah.

We are now going to see just how much backbone our MPs have, especially in the Labour hierarchy.

Dr Chris Topping Pilling, Lancashire

sir – I’m no fan of George Galloway, but in borrowing an observation by the SNP’s Chris Law and stating that “Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak are two cheeks of the same backside”, he expressed why so many previously Conservative voters feel disenfranchised.

N H Bailey Stockport, Cheshire

sir – Although I disagree with almost everything he says, I still find George Galloway a highly compelling, articulate and colourful character. Born and brought up in the least salubrious area of Dundee, and educated only at the local academy, he has nevertheless taken on and defeated the smartest of opponents over the years. He is an out-and-out political animal.

Had his skills been gifted to one of the current crop of Conservative MPs, we’d have no problem winning the general election.

Paul Ballard-Whyte Oxford