What's next for Rochdale

George Galloway's triumphant victory in the Rochdale by-election has sent shockwaves through the country. The former Celebrity Big Brother contestant has promised a 'revival' of the town, which he says has 'pioneered a redrawing of the political map' in the UK.

But Rochdale's new MP, who will return to Parliament to represent his fourth constituency in 20 years, said his victory is going to 'start a movement' across the country. He later revealed his party is planning to field 59 candidates at the general election later this year -and he hopes the win will encourage independent candidates to come forward and take on Labour elsewhere in the UK, too.

But he will rely on other parties and independent candidates coming together in that 'grand alliance' to take on Labour elsewhere in the borough. Meanwhile, despite criticising the Labour-controlled council, he said he hopes to work with town hall to save Rochdale AFC. Mr Galloway, who has stood in elections for seven different Parliamentary seats over the last 20 years, was last elected as an MP for Bradford West in 2012. A local journalist working in the area during that time told the Manchester Evening News that Mr Galloway's 'celebrity' status meant that local issues he raised received more attention in media and in Parliament than they would have usually.

Earlier this year, Rishi Sunak suggested that the next general election will be held in the second half of the year. But the Prime Minister could call an election at any point before then, leaving open the possibility that the general vote could take place within months.

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