The overwhelming victory of the British politician George Galloway in the Rochdale bye election in England marks a significant turn in the political spectrum of many so called ‘democratic’ countries of the world. It is hence of historical importance.
Many of these ‘democratic’ countries in the world like USA, UK etc, while ostensibly forming governments by popular consent, in fact had rigid two party systems in which two mainstream parties dominated, while third parties or independent candidates had little or no chance of success.
These two parties had a semblance of a difference, the Labour party in UK and Democrats in USA seemingly tilting a bit to the left, while the Conservative party in UK and the Republicans in USA to the right.
The reality, however, was that in fact both parties represented the big corporations and big business houses. The huge amount of money required in elections ensured that. Thus democracy in these countries was really a charade, and the people irrelevant. Whether one voted for Conservative or Labour in UK, or for Republican or Democrats in USA, one was voting for big business.
The stunning victory of George Galloway in Rochdale marks a victory for the people over the two big parties, shattering the two party system, and thus a restoration of true democracy, which, as President Lincoln said, represents government by the people, of the people, and for the people.
George Galloway was till late regarded as somewhat of a maverick and irrelevant, who espoused causes of the suffering Palestinian people, and castigated the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. His condemnation of Israel brought on him the ire of the Zionists, though Galloway maintained he is not anti-semitic but only ant-zionist.
He has always supported the poor people, and demanded justice for them.
To a question by a journalist whether he condemns attacks on British troops in Afghanistan, he said he does not, and he explained that British ( and US ) troops were occupiers, and hence people of Afghanistan had a right to attack them, just as the British people had a right to fight any country which tries to occupy Britain.
One cannot imagine a member of the two mainstream parties in UK giving such a candid statement.
Galloway has condemned the double standards of Western countries, particularly towards Palestine
He said Britishers should not fight for King and country today
In his victory speech at Rochdale he said ” Keir Starmer ( the leader of the Labour party ) this is for Gaza ”, alluding to the slaughter of people in Gaza by Israeli forces.
George Galloway has created the Workers Party, which intends to contest at least 100 seats in the next general elections in UK
Despite lacking the huge financial resources which the Conservative and Labour parties command, and despite much of the media, controlled by the financial barons, which is hostile to him, George Galloway has emerged as a people’s champion, a giant slayer, a David fighting the 2 Goliaths in British politics. He will sooner or later be emulated in the USA where people like Bernie Sanders could till now make little headway, and shatter the stranglehold of the 2 party system which really made the people irrelevant in the sham ‘democracy’ in many countries.
Democracy will then really become what President Lincoln wanted it to be, government by, for, and of the people
