Who convinced him that it would be a good idea 
I swear that Labour have a tory 5th columnist in there somewhere - they are rapidly running out of feet to shoot
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Sound familiar?
So this Batley and Spen by-election has the potential to go badly wrong.
It’s a very cynical move, imo. The party is obviously banking on the guilt/sympathy vote. Leadbetter has been a Labour member for a couple of weeks and got to skip the queue.
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Ooh this is a bit harsh. But most will be thinking it.
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It’s very harsh, and in incredibly poor taste. Quite shameful, to be honest.
Nicked. 
Maybe I misremember this, but I don’t think so. There was a concerted effort to use the MP’s murder to sway hearts and minds in the EU referendum.
It’s probably explained by the maxim @CB-Saint likes to drop, “never waste a good crisis”.
Thing is, it didn’t really work then and I don’t think it is going to work now. I feel that more people are going to be affronted by this choice than up for it.
Labour Party rules say to stand for office you’ve got to have been a member for a year. Labour have demonstrably ripped up their own rulebook to make this happen, which makes it look even more cynical.
So is anyone going to formally object that due process has not been followed?
I would expect so, because it is likely long-term Labour members that are most likely to be miffed and know the rules around it. It’s not exactly a secret. I think it might be in the member’s handbook!
If she’d been a member for years, fair play. If she even had a prior interest in politics, that might serve as justification. She has previously stated that she’s not interested in politics and joined weeks ago, I understand.
I don’t think I’m being overly cynical or that meme is too harsh. If she’s not being hired for her experience, her interest in politics or for her campaigning credentials, what possible reason could Labour have for selecting her?
I’d suggest two. Profound desperation and publicity. All publicity is not good publicity.
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A candidate for Public Office with no experience & no qualifications & who jumped a queue.
Did she shag Boris?
I think you might have missed the “nicked” bit. 
Doesn’t really help, does it?
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Galloway probably won’t win, but he will interest the Muslim population there as his did in Bradford West.
It’s about 20% of Batley and Spen, I understand.
At the same time, you’ve got the leader Starmer saying he’s supports Zionism unconditionally while we’re getting our seven year reminder of what Zionism looks like to Palestinians.
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None of this increases the chances of Labour holding the seat.
Nope, and I hope they don’t.
They’re not fit for purpose. Galloway knows how to play this going from these comments.
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I had a look at Galloway’s launch yesterday and it’s the largest crowd I’ve seen him pull under the Workers Party of Great Britain banner. It was the usually cherry-picked account of his own political career, but he knows what he’s doing on this front. He’s making it all about Palestine and I reckon there might be enough people listening to deny Labour the win.
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Labour look officially frit.
Bercow has just joined the Labour Party - must the first time a rat has joined a sinking ship
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Having read a little more, it looks like his only way to get a lordship because the Tories told him to do one
Don’t agree with Owen Jones on a lot of things, but this video he’s made about Batley and Spen is quite excellent.
Speaks to local residents, Kim Leadbeater and George Galloway.
Headlines:
- Local Labour Party already thinks it’s lost
- GG thinks Labour are coming third, behind the Tories and his own Worker’s Party.
