The Labour party has officially triggered the Rochdale by-election following the death of Sir Tony Lloyd.
It will take place on 29th February
Labour’s candidate is Councillor Azhar Alithe leader of Lancashire Labour while George Galloway has also announced that he is standing and in his own words will teach Kier Starmer a lesson over Gaza
Former Manchester Councillor, Labour MP for Weaver Vale and shadow homelessness minister, Mike Amesbury, is coordinating campaigning in the seat for the party it is understood
There is concern in Labour that the by-election could be a test of some of the party’s positions that have been controversial among some of its own MPs and members – most significantly Gaza which George Galloway will seek to exploit in a constituency with a large Muslim population
