Vote paves way for George Galloway to stand as MSP for Respect party

Published on Saturday 13 November 2010 11:15

FORMER MP George Galloway is set to stand in the next Scottish Parliament election as a candidate for the Respect party after members agreed a policy change at the party's annual conference. Activists paved the way for his attempt to return to front-line politics by reversing a policy which stopped them from campaigning and organising in Scotland.

After the conference in London, Galloway said: "I'm buoyed up by today's vote and by my party's confidence, even more so by the sentiment from the overwhelming majority of delegates and from supporters in Glasgow encouraging me to stand."

The party has previously avoided Scotland because it was already represented by the Scottish Socialist Party. However, the political landscape was altered in 2007 when the socialists failed to return any candidates.

Galloway was elected MP in the Bethnal Green and Bow constituency in 2005, but failed to secure the nearby Poplar and Limehouse seat in London's East End as a Respect party candidate in the May general election.

Galloway previously served as a Labour MP for Glasgow Hillhead, and later Glasgow Kelvin.

• Duncan Hamilton: A salute to the gorgeousness of George Galloway