Workers Party of Britain#Notable members

The Workers Party of Britain was founded in response to the Labour Party's landslide defeat at the 2019 United Kingdom general election and the resignation of Jeremy Corbyn as Leader of the Labour Party.{{cite web |last=Norfolk |first=Andrew |date=22 June 2021 |title=George Galloway is pulling no punches in Batley & Spen |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/george-galloway-is-pulling-no-punches-in-batley-amp-spen-cgr2cldk7 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210622234514/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/george-galloway-is-pulling-no-punches-in-batley-amp-spen-cgr2cldk7 |archive-date=22 June 2021 |access-date=21 July 2021 |website=The Times}} The founding of the Workers Party of Britain was welcomed by the Communist Party of Great Britain (Marxist–Leninist) (CPGB-ML).{{Cite web|url=http://thecommunists.org/2019/12/29/news/brexit-election-and-birth-of-the-workers-party-wpb-galloway/|title=The Brexit election and the birth of the Workers party|website=The Communists|access-date=14 April 2020}} Joti Brar, a vice-chair of the CPGB-ML, was elected as the Workers Party of Britain's deputy leader at its founding congress. In March 2021, the party stood its first candidate for elected office, Paul Burrows, in the by-election for Helensburgh and Lomond South ward on Argyll and Bute Council.{{Cite web|title=It's a six-way battle in Helensburgh and Lomond South by-election|url=https://www.helensburghadvertiser.co.uk/news/19092212.helensburgh-lomond-south-by-election-list-candidates-full/|last=Borland|first=Craig|date=15 February 2021|website=Helensburgh Advertiser|access-date=12 April 2021|archive-date=12 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412142428/https://www.helensburghadvertiser.co.uk/news/19092212.helensburgh-lomond-south-by-election-list-candidates-full/|url-status=live}} Burrows came last out of six, gaining 22 votes (0.9%).{{Cite web|date=19 March 2021|title=Argyll & Bute Council Election Results Ward 11 -Helensburgh and Lomond South|url=https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Unknown/electionresults_report_ward_11_-_helensburgh_and_lomond_south_19032021_122343.pdf|url-status=live|website=Argyll and Bute Council|access-date=16 May 2021|archive-date=16 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516110324/https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Unknown/electionresults_report_ward_11_-_helensburgh_and_lomond_south_19032021_122343.pdf}} In the 2021 United Kingdom local elections, the party stood more than 40 candidates for local elections in England.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

The WPB contested its first parliamentary seat at the 2021 Batley and Spen by-election, with Galloway as its candidate. Galloway gained 8,264 votes (21.9%) and came in third, behind the winning Labour candidate Kim Leadbeater and second placed Conservative candidate Ryan Stephenson. The Liberal Democrats came in fourth place, as they did in the previous election.{{Cite web |date=2 July 2021 |title=Labour's Kim Leadbeater wins narrow victory in Batley and Spen byelection |url=http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jul/02/labour-candidate-kim-leadbeater-wins-batley-and-spen-byelection |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702043824/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jul/02/labour-candidate-kim-leadbeater-wins-batley-and-spen-byelection |archive-date=2 July 2021 |access-date=2 July 2021 |website=The Guardian}} Galloway concentrated on the issues of the Palestinian territories, the Kashmir conflict, criticism of Labour leader Keir Starmer, the suspension of a teacher for showing a cartoon of Muhammad at Batley Grammar School, and the reopening of a police station in Batley.{{cite news |last=Al-Othman |first=Hannah |date=6 June 2021 |title=Batley and Spen by-election: are Muslim voters the next brick to crumble in Labour's red wall? |newspaper=The Sunday Times |location=London |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/batley-and-spen-by-election-are-muslim-voters-the-next-brick-to-crumble-in-labours-red-wall-ssqbnvj83 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=28 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729162623/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/batley-and-spen-by-election-are-muslim-voters-the-next-brick-to-crumble-in-labours-red-wall-ssqbnvj83 |archive-date=29 July 2021}}{{cite magazine |date=26 June 2021 |title=Labour could lose a by-election over the issue of Palestine |magazine=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/britain/2021/06/24/labour-could-lose-a-by-election-over-the-issue-of-palestine |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=28 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628153744/https://www.economist.com/britain/2021/06/24/labour-could-lose-a-by-election-over-the-issue-of-palestine |archive-date=28 June 2021}}{{cite news |last=Drury |first=Colin |date=28 June 2021 |title=Batley and Spen by-election: Labour's Muslim vote collapsing as Palestine – and potholes – cause anger |website=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/batley-spen-byelection-kim-leadbeater-george-galloway-b1869052.html |url-status=live |access-date=28 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628153744/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/batley-spen-byelection-kim-leadbeater-george-galloway-b1869052.html |archive-date=28 June 2021}} The campaign received considerable media attention due to incidents of harassment during its final days.{{cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Rory |date=26 June 2021 |title=Jo Cox's sister, Labour candidate Kim Leadbeater, heckled and chased on campaign trail |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/kim-leadbeater-b1873065.html |url-status=live |access-date=26 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626030008/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/kim-leadbeater-b1873065.html |archive-date=26 June 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Diver |first1=Tony |date=25 June 2021 |title=Labour candidate in Batley and Spen by-election left 'intimidated' by anti-LGBT protester |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/06/25/labour-candidate-batley-spen-by-election-left-intimidated-anti/ |url-status=live |access-date=27 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627001121/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/06/25/labour-candidate-batley-spen-by-election-left-intimidated-anti/ |archive-date=27 June 2021}}{{cite news |last=Blackall |first=Molly |date=26 June 2021 |title=Kim Leadbeater, sister of Jo Cox, chased and heckled on Batley and Spen by-election campaign trail |work=i |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/jo-cox-sister-batley-and-spen-kim-leadbeater-keir-starmer-chased-heckled-gay-partner-anti-lbgt-1072740 |url-status=live |access-date=26 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626100208/https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/jo-cox-sister-batley-and-spen-kim-leadbeater-keir-starmer-chased-heckled-gay-partner-anti-lbgt-1072740 |archive-date=26 June 2021}}{{Cite news |date=28 June 2021 |title=Batley and Spen by-election: Labour 'egged and kicked' |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-57636903 |url-status=live |access-date=29 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628132103/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-57636903 |archive-date=28 June 2021}} The Jewish Labour Movement called the result a "triumph for hope and decency" over Galloway's "toxic politics". Galloway vowed to challenge the result on the basis of an alleged "false statement" made about him by Leadbeater and Starmer, which he said tipped the result of the by-election.{{cite news |last=Stone |first=Jon |date=2 July 2021 |title=Batley and Spen: George Galloway says he will take legal action to challenge by-election defeat |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/george-galloway-batley-and-spen-by-election-result-legal-challenge-b1876823.html |url-status=live |access-date=21 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709190112/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/george-galloway-batley-and-spen-by-election-result-legal-challenge-b1876823.html |archive-date=9 July 2021}}{{cite news |last=Geddes |first=Jonathan |date=2 July 2021 |title=Would-be Rutherglen MP George Galloway told to honour his promises |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/in-your-area/lanarkshire/would-rutherglen-mp-george-galloway-24446176 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721105959/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/in-your-area/lanarkshire/would-rutherglen-mp-george-galloway-24446176 |archive-date=21 July 2021 |access-date=21 July 2021 |newspaper=Daily Record}}

The party contested the Almond ward of Edinburgh Council in the 2022 Scottish local elections, and came second to last with 61 first-preference votes (0.4%).{{cite web |url=https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/file/31017/ward-1-almond-first-preference |title=First Preference Report: Ward 1 – Almond |date=6 May 2022 |publisher=City of Edinburgh Council |access-date=15 May 2022 |archive-date=30 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530032243/https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/file/31017/ward-1-almond-first-preference |url-status=live}} In the 2022 local elections, Workers Party candidate Ed Woollard achieved 15% of the vote in the Bordesley and Highgate ward of Birmingham.{{Cite web |last=Council |first=Birmingham City |title=Bordesley and Highgate Ward Results |url=https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/directory_record/370716/bordesley_and_highgate_ward_results |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=www.birmingham.gov.uk}}

In 2023, the former Labour MP Chris Williamson joined the party.{{Cite web |date=13 July 2023 |title=Chris Williamson joins Workers Party |url=https://workerspartybritain.org/2023/07/13/chris-williamson-joins-workers-party/ |access-date=5 August 2023 |website=Workers Party of Britain}} The Workers Party has defended Williamson, who was suspended from the Labour Party for his comments about antisemitism allegations in the Labour Party, and Ken Livingstone, who left the party following allegations of antisemitism.{{cite web |last=Spereall |first=David |date=26 April 2021 |title=Wakefield local elections 2021: George Galloway's Workers Party of Britain stands in the district for the first time |url=https://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/news/politics/wakefield-local-elections-2021-george-galloways-workers-party-of-britain-stands-in-the-district-for-the-first-time-3213737 |work=Wakefield Express |accessdate=15 May 2021 |archive-date=15 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515112819/https://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/news/politics/wakefield-local-elections-2021-george-galloways-workers-party-of-britain-stands-in-the-district-for-the-first-time-3213737 |url-status=live}}

At the party's Congress in December 2023, Galloway was re-elected party leader. Three deputy leaders were elected: Chris Williamson, Andy Hudd (Vice President of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen) and Peter Ford (former Ambassador to Bahrain and Syria).{{cite web |url=https://workerspartybritain.org/2023/12/02/new-leadership-elected-at-workers-party-congress/ |title=New leadership elected at Workers Party congress |website=Workers Party of Britain |date=2 December 2023 |access-date=13 December 2023}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/mar/04/george-galloway-workers-party-far-left-challenges-to-labour |title=Galloway win makes Workers party a focus for far-left challenges to Labour |last=Quinn |first=Ben |newspaper=The Guardian |date=4 March 2024 |access-date=5 March 2024}}

On 29 February 2024, Galloway won the 2024 Rochdale by-election following the disendorsement of the Labour candidate in a traditionally safe Labour seat.{{cite news |last1=Halliday |first1=Josh |last2=Ahmed |first2=Aneesa |title=George Galloway wins Rochdale byelection after calling for Gaza protest vote |newspaper=The Guardian |date=1 March 2024 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/mar/01/george-galloway-wins-rochdale-byelection |access-date=1 March 2024}} The Gaza war dominated the campaign. In his election speech, Galloway said: "Keir Starmer, this is for Gaza. You will pay a high price for the role that you have played in enabling, encouraging and covering for the catastrophe presently going on in occupied Palestine, in the Gaza Strip."{{cite web |last1=Halliday |first1=Josh |last2=Ahmed |first2=Aneesa |title=George Galloway wins sweeping victory in Rochdale byelection, saying 'this is for Gaza' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/mar/01/george-galloway-wins-rochdale-byelection |website=The Guardian |access-date=1 March 2024 |date=1 March 2024}}{{Cite web |title=Residents of Rochdale caught up in increasingly toxic by-election campaign |url=https://www.ft.com/content/d6678003-7d84-44a6-aad1-801760d6cf06 |access-date=13 February 2024 |website=Financial Times|date=13 February 2024 |last1=Williams |first1=Jennifer }} Galloway won almost 40% of the vote and overturned a previous Labour majority of 9,668, achieved by former MP Tony Lloyd, whose death had precipitated the by-election. Turnout at 39.7% was much lower than the 60.1% for the 2019 general election.{{Cite web |last=Misra |first=Andrew |date=10 March 2024 |title=Rochdale by-election: George Galloway overturns 9,500 Labour majority to win seat |url=https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2024-03-01/rochdale-by-election-george-galloway-win-overturns-huge-labour-majority |access-date=10 May 2024 |website=itvX}} Labour had withdrawn support for its candidate when it became known he had suggested that Israel was complicit in the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel.{{cite web |last1=Grunewald |first1=Zoe |title=George Galloway wins Rochdale by-election after Labour fiasco and declares: 'This is for Gaza' |url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/george-galloway-wins-rochdale-election-030302665.html|website=Yahoo News |access-date=1 March 2024 |date=1 March 2024}} Following the by-election, it was announced that the Workers Party had 59 prospective parliamentary candidates for the 2024 United Kingdom general election.{{Cite web |last=staff |first=Politics co uk |date=1 March 2024 |title='Labour's worst nightmare': George Galloway has 59 general election candidates 'ready to go' |url=https://www.politics.co.uk/news/2024/03/01/labours-worst-nightmare-galloway-has-59-general-election-candidates-ready-to-go-after-rochdale-victory/ |access-date=9 March 2024 |website=Politics.co.uk}}

In March 2024, the party gained its first councillor when the former mayor of Hounslow, Amritpal Mann, defected to the Workers Party.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Matt |date=25 March 2024 |title=Former Mayor of Hounslow joins George Galloway's party – Chiswick Calendar News |url=https://chiswickcalendar.co.uk/former-mayor-of-hounslow-joins-george-galloways-party/ |access-date=31 March 2024 |website=The Chiswick Calendar}}{{cite web |title=Galloway ally shared video of ex-KKK leader voicing anti-Semitic conspiracy theories |website=The Telegraph |date=27 April 2024 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/04/27/george-galloway-ally-video-ex-ku-klux-klan-anti-semitism/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240427143958/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/04/27/george-galloway-ally-video-ex-ku-klux-klan-anti-semitism/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2024-04-27 |access-date=4 July 2024}}

At the 2024 United Kingdom local elections, the party stood 33 candidates for councillor positions. Four of them were elected, including two in the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale (where they received 13% of the overall vote with Labour receiving 42% and the Conservatives 19%) and one in Calderdale. Shahbaz Sarwar, their candidate in Longsight Ward, Manchester, unseated deputy leader of City Council Luthfur Rahman, with 2,444 votes to Labour’s 2,259.{{cite web |last1=Webb |first1=Caitlin |last2=Smulian |first2=Mark |title=Updated: Small parties make historic gains in councils |website=Local Government Chronicle (LGC) |date=3 May 2024 |url=https://www.lgcplus.com/politics/small-parties-make-historic-gains-in-councils-03-05-2024/ |access-date=7 May 2024}}{{cite web |title=George Galloway fails in attempt to 'wipe' Labour from council |website=ITV News |date=3 May 2024 |url=https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2024-05-03/george-galloway-fails-in-attempt-to-wipe-labour-from-council |access-date=7 May 2024}}{{cite web |last=Pell |first=Miranda |title=Longsight: Workers Party of Britain take a shock seat from Labour amidst Gaza controversy |website=Mancunian Matters |date=3 May 2024 |url=https://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/news/03052024-longsight-workers-party-of-britain-take-a-shock-seat-from-labour-amidst-gaza-controversy/ |access-date=7 May 2024}} The WPB endorsed independent candidate for the Mayor of the West Midlands, Akhmed Yakoob, came third with 69,621 votes (11.7%). Yakoob announced his intention to stand in the 2024 general election at Birmingham Ladywood.{{cite web |last=Lawson |first=Eleanor |title=West Midlands mayoral candidate to stand in general election |website=BBC News |date=6 May 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c72pd91dg0go |access-date=7 May 2024}} He is again endorsed by the WPB.{{Cite web |last=Greenwood |first=Xavier |date=12 June 2024 |title=UK election 2024: Who is...Akhmed Yakoob? |url=https://www.tortoisemedia.com/2024/06/12/uk-election-2024-who-is-akhmed-yakoob/ |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=Tortoise}}

The party's mayoral candidate in Lewisham, John Hamilton, distributed a flyer saying "Starmer’s Labour Party is falling apart. Any criticism of Israel is labelled antisemitic. He is their puppet". He posed with a placard that depicted a swastika above a Jewish Star of David.{{cite web |last=Firth |first=Robert |title=Lewisham mayoral candidate distributes flyer calling Keir Starmer 'Israel's puppet' |website=News Shopper |date=7 March 2024 |url=https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/24169720.lewisham-mayoral-candidate-calls-starmer-israels-puppet/ |access-date=4 July 2024}}{{cite web |last=Firth |first=Robert |title=Lewisham mayor candidate's leaflet called Keir Starmer Israel's 'puppet' |website=My London |date=6 March 2024 |url=https://www.mylondon.news/news/south-london-news/lewisham-mayor-candidate-distributed-leaflet-28758751 |access-date=2024-07-04}}{{cite web | last=Firth | first=Robert | title=Lewisham Mayoral candidate targets Keir Starmer with 'Israeli puppet' jibe | website=South London News | date=7 March 2024 | url=https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/news/lewisham-mayoral-candidate-targets-keir-starmer-with-israeli-puppet-jibe/ | access-date=5 July 2024}} He came fifth, with 5.7% of the vote.

On 2 July, independent (formerly Labour) Burnley councillor Syeda Kazmi joined the party.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-02 |title=East Lancs to get its first Workers Party of Britain councillor |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/24423433.east-lancs-get-first-workers-party-britain-councillor/ |access-date=2024-07-11 |website=Lancashire Telegraph |language=en}}

On 30 April 2024, Galloway announced that he had 500 candidates ready and that the party would stand in every seat at the next general election.{{cite web | last=Murray | first=Andrew | title=Galloway's Workers Party to stand candidates everywhere in challenge to Labour | website=Morning Star | date=30 April 2024 | url=https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/galloways-workers-party-stand-candidates-everywhere-challenge-labour | access-date=11 July 2024}}{{cite web | last=Hurst | first=Pat | title=George Galloway's Workers Party manifesto at a glance | website=The Independent | date=19 June 2024 | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/george-galloway-nhs-great-britain-rochdale-nato-b2565440.html | access-date=11 July 2024}}{{cite web | title=Galloway claims he's 'in talks' with Labour MPs to defect to his Workers Party | website=ITV News | date=30 April 2024 | url=https://www.itv.com/news/2024-04-30/galloway-claims-hes-in-talks-with-labour-mps-to-defect-to-his-workers-party | access-date=11 July 2024}}

Among the candidates were announced were former cricketer Monty Panesar, along with defectors from UKIP and Labour. Describing the Labour Party as the "number one enemy", Galloway said the party was targeting Labour seats,{{cite web |last=Wheeler |first=Brian |date=30 April 2024 |title=England cricketer Monty Panesar to stand for George Galloway's party |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-68929678 |access-date=7 May 2024 |website=BBC News}}{{cite web |last=Jacobs |first=Bill |date=1 May 2024 |title=Craig Murray to stand as candidate for George Galloway's Workers Party |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/24290645.craig-murray-stand-candidate-george-galloways-workers-party/ |access-date=7 May 2024 |website=The National}} and that it would support a small number of independent left candidates, including Claudia Webbe in Leicester East and Jeremy Corbyn in Islington North.

Within a week, Panesar stood down after a series of disastrous media interviews.{{cite web | last=Mitchell | first=Archie | title=Monty Panesar quits as George Galloway's Workers Party candidate after just one week | website=The Independent | date=8 May 2024 | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/monty-panesar-george-galloway-general-election-workers-party-b2541470.html | access-date=13 July 2024}} Former Labour MP and WPB deputy leader Chris Williamson stood in Derby South.{{Cite news |date=15 March 2024 |title=Chris Williamson: Former Derby MP confirms election bid |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-derbyshire-68581737 |access-date=22 June 2024}} In April it was reported that the WPB candidate in Brentford and Isleworth, Nisar Malik, a former mayor of Hounslow, posted a video in which David Duke, a former "grand wizard" of the Ku Klux Klan, expressed antisemitic conspiracy theories about Jews controlling the media and the global financial system. The candidate in Putney, Hassan Chahine, was deselected in late May, due to exposure of his sharing antisemitic material (including a video that asserted that a "coven of Jews" had "seized" control of America and that Jews have been punished throughout history for "killing Jesus Christ") and praising Hezbollah.{{cite web |title=George Galloway's party drops candidate over anti-Semitic remarks |website=Telegraph| date=25 April 2024 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/05/25/george-galloways-party-drops-candidate-over-anti-semitic/#selection-3059.22-3059.185 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240525183101/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/05/25/george-galloways-party-drops-candidate-over-anti-semitic/#selection-3059.22-3059.185 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2024-05-25 |access-date=4 July 2024}}

The party launched its official campaign on 1 June, with Galloway declaring Labour leader Keir Starmer was "indistinguishable" from Rishi Sunak and had "blood on his hands" over his position on Gaza.{{cite web | title=George Galloway launches Workers Party campaign with attack on Labour | website=BBC News | date=1 June 2024 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cxwwkrykv0zo | access-date=11 July 2024}} Its 34 page manifesto, which was published in June, included policies to increase the personal tax allowance, consider nationalising some public services including rail, water, electricity and the “military-industrial complex”, oppose ULEZ and "green hysteria", regulate "Big Food" and "Big Pharma", end “creeping buro-fascism” and "cultural engineering" and instead support free speech, recognise working class "anxiety" about mass immigration, end "imperialist wars", support Palestine, withdraw from NATO, consider dropping the retirement age to 60, introduce non-means tested free school lunches and remove the UK nuclear deterrent.

Retired rugby league footballer Keith Mason was the party's candidate for Wakefield and Rothwell. He was deselected by the party in June over "anti-Islamic" tweets. His name remained on the ballot because the deadline for candidates to be nominated had passed.{{Cite web |title=Keith Mason sacked by Workers Party over 'anti-Islamic' tweets |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2jjzln887lo |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=www.bbc.com|date=11 June 2024 }} Also in June, it was reported that Kamran Khan, the WPB candidate in Poplar and Limehouse, "shared social media posts that mocked Holocaust Remembrance Day, claimed America is controlled by a 'Jewish mafia' and implied that anyone who learnt about Jewish history would become a Nazi."{{cite web |last=Pope |first=Felix |title=Workers Party candidate shared posts attacking 'Jewish mafia' and mocking the Holocaust |website=The Jewish Chronicle |date=7 June 2024 |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/politics/workers-party-candidate-shared-posts-attacking-jewish-mafia-and-mocking-the-holocaust-sdnrtxcl |access-date=4 July 2024}}{{better source needed|date=July 2024}} At the same time, the candidate in Finchley and Golders Green, Mez Derak, shared an article that called the Jewish festival Passover "a sick and twisted holiday.”{{better source needed|date=July 2024}}{{cite web |last=Harpin |first=Lee |title=Galloway's Finchley and Golders Green candidate accused over antisemitic Passover post |website=Jewish News |date=6 June 2024 |url=https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/galloways-finchley-and-golders-green-candidate-accused-over-antisemitic-passover-post/ |access-date=4 July 2024}} The WPB stood down its candidate in Chingford and Woodford Green to support Faiza Shaheen, a candidate deselected by Labour.

In the end, the WPB stood 152 candidates, with Galloway defending his Rochdale seat.{{Cite web |title=Candidates for Rochdale confirmed for general election 2024 |url=https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/156389/candidates-for-rochdale-confirmed-for-general-election-2024 |access-date=30 June 2024 |website=www.rochdaleonline.co.uk}}{{Cite web |title=General election 2024 |url=https://workerspartybritain.org/general-election-2024/ |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=Workers Party of Britain}} The WPB won no seats but did garner 210,194 votes across the country. George Galloway came in second place to Labour Party candidate and journalist Paul Waugh in Rochdale. Waugh received 13,027 votes, equivalent to 32.8% of the vote, while Galloway received 11,587 votes, equivalent to 29.2% of the vote.{{cite news |title= Rochdale results |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2024/uk/constituencies/E14001446 |work= BBC News |access-date= 11 July 2024}}{{Cite web |date=5 July 2024 |title=The major losers of the General Election 2024 in the North West |url=https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2024-07-05/which-north-west-mps-have-lost-their-seat |website=ITV News}} Craig Murray, who stood in Blackburn for the party, finished in third place behind independent candidate Adnan Hussain and incumbent Labour MP Kate Hollern.{{Cite web |last=Sims |first=Vanessa |date=5 July 2024 |title=General Election 2024: Blackburn has a new Independent MP Adnan Hussain after Labour loses by 132 votes |url=https://www.lep.co.uk/news/general-election-2024-blackburn-has-a-new-independent-mp-after-decison-came-down-to-132-votes-4691808 |website=Lancashire Post}} The Workers Party came within a small number of votes of defeating some high profile Labour MPs with large swings.{{Cite web |last=Burford |first=Rachael |date=2024-07-05 |title=Labour majorities slashed in Muslim areas as five MPs lose seat |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/labour-muslim-areas-mps-palestine-independents-london-general-election-results-b1168968.html |access-date=2024-07-11 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}} Jody McIntyre came in second place in Birmingham Yardley, 693 votes short of unseating Labour's Jess Phillips.{{Cite web |title=Moment furious Jess Phillips yells at crowd after taking on pro-Palestinian mob who booed her after victory |url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/moment-furious-jess-phillips-yells-crowd-after-election-victory/ |access-date=2024-07-11 |website=LBC |language=en}} James Giles won just 1,566 fewer votes than Liam Byrne in Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-05 |title=The 2024 General Election: things just got a lot more interesting |url=https://labouroutlook.org/2024/07/05/the-2024-general-election-things-just-got-a-lot-more-interesting/ |access-date=2024-07-11 |website=labouroutlook.org |language=en-GB}}

The party identifies as a socialist, working class party, which aims for "a redistribution of wealth and power in favour of working people". It describes itself as "economically radical" and "committed to class politics".{{Cite web |last=Macnamara |first=Felicity |date=16 December 2019 |title=Former Bradford MP George Galloway launches new 'Workers Party' |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/18104403.former-bradford-mp-george-galloway-launches-new-workers-party/ |access-date=12 April 2021 |website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus |archive-date=12 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412142427/https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/18104403.former-bradford-mp-george-galloway-launches-new-workers-party/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=12 December 2019 |title=Introducing the Workers Party |url=https://workerspartybritain.org/about/ |access-date=12 April 2021 |website=Workers Party of Britain |archive-date=11 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411190242/https://workerspartybritain.org/about/ |url-status=live}} It has expressed support for a planned economy. The party's platform is outlined in its 10-point plan, in which it advocates "rebuilding British industry", universal "decent housing", "free or cheap" public transportation and an end to NHS waiting lists. It advocates for referenda on net zero emissions policies and the future of the British monarchy. Its manifesto states: "The transition to a Green [sic] economy should be at a pace that matches the ability of our population to afford it. We will not be seduced by the more apocalyptic Green [sic] hysteria that floods our media but we will seek rational debate centred on democratically aligned outcomes beneficial to workers".{{cite web |url= https://workerspartybritain.org/manifesto-britain-deserves-better/ |title= Manifesto – Britain Deserves Better |website= Workers Party of Britain |access-date= 1 March 2024}}

The party has been defined as socially conservative, for example rejecting gender self-identification, and party leader George Galloway describes himself as such.{{cite news |last= Rees |first= Gwyneth |date= 24 February 2024 |title= Gaza is dominating the Rochdale by-election – and letting George Galloway outfox Labour |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/02/24/rochdale-by-election-george-galloway-israel-hamas-labour/ |work= The Daily Telegraph |access-date= 1 March 2024 |quote= "Whereas I'm very clear. As a father of six children, I'm socially conservative. I don't want my children taught the kind of things Labour wants to teach them in schools."}} Galloway said the party was "the working-class patriotic alternative to fake woke anti-British 'Labour{{'"}}.{{cite web |last=Young |first=Chris |date=12 May 2021 |title=Former Bradford West MP George Galloway announces that his party will stand in Batley and Spen by-election |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/19298080.former-bradford-west-mp-george-galloway-announces-party-will-stand-batley-spen-by-election/ |work=Telegraph & Argus |accessdate=15 May 2021 |archive-date=14 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514152110/https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/19298080.former-bradford-west-mp-george-galloway-announces-party-will-stand-batley-spen-by-election/ |url-status=live}} In May 2024, Galloway told Novara Media that same-sex relationships are not "normal", while Sajid Pathan, WPB candidate for the Hulton ward in the 2024 Bolton Council election, refused to comment on the question.{{cite web |last=Fifield |first=Jack |date=3 May 2024 |title=Bolton candidate for Galloway party refuses to say gay relationships normal |url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/24296205.bolton-candidate-refuses-say-gay-relationships-normal/ |access-date=7 May 2024 |website=The Bolton News}}

The party is opposed to NATO and European Union membership, with a policy of withdrawing Britain from NATO.{{cite web |url=https://workerspartybritain.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/square-ten-point-programme-leaflet-1024x1024.jpg |title=Ten-point programme |website=Workers Party of Britain |access-date=3 December 2023}}{{Cite news |date=1 March 2024 |title=George Galloway: What is the Workers Party of Britain? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-68445453 |access-date=1 March 2024 |work=BBC News}} In a statement it said it "is unequivocal in its support for the Palestinian liberation struggle and opposition to Zionism as a violently racist ideology".{{Cite tweet |number=1761757161397362959 |user=WorkersPartyGB |title=The counter reaction to our popular anti Zionist politics begins. Let's just say they're not sending their best. |date=25 February 2024 |access-date=1 March 2024}}{{Cite web |date=8 January 2023 |title=Palestine Action's New Year statement: community-based direct action gets the goods |url=https://workerspartybritain.org/2023/01/08/palestine-actions-new-year-statement-community-based-direct-action-gets-the-goods/ |access-date=11 March 2024 |website=Workers Party of Britain}} Its website states that the party will "withdraw all military support from war zones and work for a negotiated and peaceful settlement whenever and wherever war breaks out". During the week of Galloway's by-election win, a Workers Party delegation was taking part in the World Festival of Youth in Russia.{{cite news |last1=Quinn |first1=Ben |date=4 March 2024 |title=Galloway win makes Workers party a focus for far-left challenges to Labour |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/mar/04/george-galloway-workers-party-far-left-challenges-to-labour |work=The Guardian}}

During the 2024 general election, the party launched its first election manifesto, with promises to improve "poverty pay" and provide more social housing.{{Cite web |date=19 June 2024 |title=Workers Party makes pay and housing pledges in election manifesto |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce994drrgkro |accessdate=19 June 2024 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}} It pledges the renationalisation of utility companies, free school meals for all children without means testing, free adult education, and to hold a referendum on the continued existence of the monarchy and proportional representation for elections.{{Cite web |last=Hurst |first=Pat |date=19 June 2024 |title=George Galloway's Workers Party manifesto at a glance |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/george-galloway-nhs-great-britain-rochdale-nato-b1165479.html |access-date=20 June 2024 |website=Evening Standard}} The overhaul arts funding was also noted, to make space for working-class communities.{{Cite web |title=Workers Party 2024 election manifesto: What does George Galloway stand for? – Manchester Evening News |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/workers-party-2024-election-manifesto-29369455 |access-date=23 June 2024 |website=www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk|date=19 June 2024}}{{failed verification|date=July 2024}} In an article for Politics.co.uk, philosopher Rafael Holmberg argued that George Galloway's reference to Freud in an election speech signalled the possibility of a new type of political discourse in the UK.{{cite news |last1=Holmberg |first1=Rafael |title=The Freudian politics of George Galloway and the Workers Party of Britain |url=https://www.politics.co.uk/comment/2024/06/28/the-freudian-politics-of-george-galloway-and-the-workers-party/ |publisher=Politics.co.uk}}

The party has been referred to as "climate sceptical" and as "strongly downplaying the human impact of two hundred years of industrialisation and greenhouse gas emissions" in terms of its stance regarding how to respond to climate change.{{cite news |last= Bower |first= Conrad |date= 8 March 2024 |title= After George Galloway's Rochdale Victory: What Does His Workers' Party Actually Stand for? |url= https://bylinetimes.com/2024/03/08/after-george-galloways-rochdale-victory-what-does-his-workers-party-actually-stand-for/ |work= Byline Times |access-date= 9 May 2024}}

{{Main|Workers Party of Britain election results}}

{{further|Senedd}}

{{further|Scottish Parliament}}

{{Further|Local elections in the UK}}

There are currently seven councillors who represent the Workers Party of Britain in local government.

• Amjad Bashir, former Conservative Party and UKIP Member of the European Parliament for Yorkshire and the Humber (2014–19).{{cite news |last1=Quinn |first1=Ben |title=Ex-England cricketer among hundreds to stand for George Galloway's party |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/apr/30/george-galloway-workers-party-election-candidates-monty-panesar |access-date=30 April 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=30 April 2024}}
• Peter Ford, former Ambassador to Bahrain (1999–2003) and Syria (2003–2006).
• George Galloway, founder and leader of the WPB, formerly an MP 1987–2005 (for the Labour Party and as an independent politician), then 2005–2010 and 2012–2015 (both for the Respect Party), and for the WPB from the 2024 Rochdale by-election until the 2024 general election.
• Keith Mason, former English rugby league player and actor. Initially selected to stand in the Wakefield and Rothwell constituency at the 2024 general election, but was deselected after accusations of Islamophobia.{{Cite web |date=10 May 2024 |title=Ex-St Helens, Huddersfield Giants and Wigan Warriors prop to stand as candidate in General Election |website=Total RL |url=https://www.totalrl.com/ex-st-helens-huddersfield-giants-and-wigan-warriors-prop-to-stand-as-candidate-in-general-election/}}{{cite web |last1=Bryson |first1=Julia |title=Election candidate sacked over 'anti-Islam' tweets |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2jjzln887lo |website=BBC News |access-date=16 June 2024 |date=11 June 2024}}
• Craig Murray, former Ambassador to Uzbekistan (2002–2004). Stood in the Blackburn constituency at the 2024 general election.{{cite web |title=Workers Party names Blackburn candidate for General Election |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/24228187.former-ambassador-craig-murray-returns-contest-blackburn/ |website=Lancashire Telegraph |access-date=5 April 2024 |date=3 April 2024}}
• Monty Panesar, former England cricketer. Planned to contest the Ealing Southall constituency at the 2024 general election,{{Cite news |last=Alderman |first=Elgan |date=30 April 2024 |title=Monty Panesar to stand as MP for Workers Party in general election |newspaper=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/cricket/article/monty-panesar-mp-workers-party-general-election-ealing-george-galloway-t9snxgvhw |access-date=2024-04-30 |issn=0140-0460}} but soon withdrew as a candidate.{{cite web |date=8 May 2024 |title=Monty Panesar quits as George Galloway's Workers Party candidate after just one week|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/monty-panesar-george-galloway-general-election-workers-party-b2541470.html |website=Independent.co.uk}}
• Brian Travers, former band member of UB40.{{Cite web|date=23 August 2021|title=Workers Party Statement on passing of founding member Brian Travers|url=https://workerspartybritain.org/2021/08/23/workers-party-statement-on-passing-of-founding-member-brian-travers/|access-date=25 August 2021|website=Workers Party of Britain|archive-date=30 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530032246/https://workerspartybritain.org/2021/08/23/workers-party-statement-on-passing-of-founding-member-brian-travers/|url-status=live}}{{Primary source inline|date=February 2024}} He died in August 2021.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-58307306 |title=Brian Travers: UB40 saxophonist and songwriter dies at 62 |work=BBC News |date=23 August 2021 |access-date=30 April 2024 |archive-date=7 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907231843/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-58307306 |url-status=live}}
• Chris Williamson, former Labour MP for Derby North (2010–15 and 2017–19). Stood in the Derby South constituency at the 2024 general election.{{Cite news |date=15 March 2024 |title=Chris Williamson: Former Derby MP confirms election bid |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-derbyshire-68581737 |access-date=25 March 2024 |work=BBC News}}{{Cite web |date=13 July 2023 |title=Chris Williamson joins Workers Party |url=https://workerspartybritain.org/2023/07/13/chris-williamson-joins-workers-party/ |access-date=17 August 2023 |website=Workers Party of Britain}}

{{Portal|Conservatism}}

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{{Political parties in the United Kingdom}}

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