Community Life

In the afternoon following the election of Respect’s Harun Miah as the new councillor for Shadwell ward in Tower Hamlets, MP George Galloway has announced that he is seeking the Respect nomination to stand in Poplar and Limehouse – which borders his current constituency, Bethnal Green and Bow.

"I made the pledge at the last General Election that I would stand here only once in Bethnal Green and Bow. I didn't rule out standing anywhere else," Mr Galloway told a press conference in a Bangladeshi restaurant on Brick Lane, surrounded by local supporters.

Respect supporters cheered Galloway

Poplar and Limehouse is the seat of Labour MP and Transport Minister, Jim Fitzpatrick, who secured a majority of more than 7,000 at the last election. Mr Galloway added: "We’re both Scottish. That will be an interesting twist."

He then issued a challenge to Mr Fitzpatrick to take part in a public debate in east London.

Shadwell: the proving ground

Political newcomer and local businessman, Harun Miah, won a by-election in Shadwell ward the previous night, beating Labour candidate Michael Keith by 97 votes. He said: "Yesterday night I couldn't sleep … because of the joy. I was overwhelmed."

Harun Miah won a close election victory

The by-election attracted a turnout of almost 40 per cent, and was closely watched as a barometer of local feeling towards both the Respect and Labour Parties.

Mr Galloway said: "I've tasted victory more often than I've tasted defeat, but victory has never tasted more sweet than with the election of Harun Miah."

The Conservatives finished third and Lib Dems, fourth. Tower Hamlets Council now contains 12 Respect councillors, 27 Labour, 7 Conservative and 6 Liberal democrats.

What happens to Bethnal Green and Bow?

Mr Galloway said that a candidate would be chosen from the Bangladeshi community to represent Respect at the next General Election in Bethnal Green and Bow.

Labour has already nominated Rushanara Ali, a former research assistant to Oona King and an Associate Director of the Young Foundation, a social innovation organisation based in Bethnal Green.

angela.saini@bbc.co.uk