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George GallowayBritish politician, author, journalist
Date of Birth: 16.08.1954
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- George Galloway: A Controversial British Politician
- Political Career and Activism
- War on Want
- Member of Parliament, Glasgow
- Internal Labour Party Disputes
- Expulsion from Labour Party
- Resignations and Re-election
- Poplar and Limehouse Election Defeat
- By-Election Victory in Bradford West
- Later Political Activities
George Galloway: A Controversial British Politician
Early Life and Personal InfluencesGeorge Galloway was born in Dundee, Scotland, in 1954 to a trade unionist father and a mother from an Irish Republican family. Growing up in the Charleton neighborhood, he attended the local primary school and then Harris Academy, an integrated school that educated children from both Protestant and Catholic backgrounds.
Galloway's passion for football began during his youth, as he played for various teams including West End (under-12s), Lochee Boys Club (under-16s), and St. Columbus (under-18s). He became a lifelong supporter of Scottish football club Celtic.
From 1979 to 1999, Galloway was married to Elaine Fyffe, with whom he had a daughter, Lucy. In 2000, he married Amina Abu-Zayyad, but they divorced in 2005. He later married Lebanese-born Rima Husseini, who gave birth to their son, Zein, in May 2007.
Galloway was raised as a Roman Catholic but became an atheist in his youth. In his early 30s, he returned to the church. At the age of 18, he pledged to abstain from alcohol, describing it as having "a very damaging effect on people."
Political Career and Activism
Labour Party MembershipGalloway joined the Labour Party at age 13 and rose through its ranks, becoming Secretary of the West Dundee Constituency Labour Party at 18 and a member of the Scottish Executive Committee in 1975. He ran unsuccessfully for Parliament in the 1977 Scottish district elections.
His support for Palestinian self-determination began in 1974 when he met Palestinian activists in Dundee. He played a key role in establishing a twinning arrangement between Dundee and the Palestinian city of Nablus in 1980.
War on Want
From 1983 to 1987, Galloway served as General Secretary of War on Want, a British charity that campaigns against poverty worldwide. During his tenure, he traveled extensively and published eyewitness accounts of the famine in Eritrea in 1985.
Member of Parliament, Glasgow
In 1986, Galloway stood unsuccessfully for the Labour Party's National Executive Committee. In the 1987 general election, he won the Glasgow Hillhead constituency, unseating incumbent Roy Jenkins of the Social Democratic Party.
Internal Labour Party Disputes
After his election to Parliament, Galloway made headlines with controversial statements and actions. He was publicly reprimanded by his local Labour Party executive in 1988 for comments suggesting sexual encounters with women in Greece while traveling for War on Want.
In 1990, the left-wing Labour newspaper Tribune published an article insinuating that Galloway had been absent from party meetings for over a year. Galloway threatened legal action and eventually received a financial settlement from Tribune.
Expulsion from Labour Party
Galloway became Vice-President of the Stop the War Coalition (StWC) in 2001 and was a vocal critic of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. His anti-war remarks and support for the Iraqi resistance led to his expulsion from the Labour Party.
On October 23, 2003, the Labour Party's National Executive Committee found Galloway guilty of bringing the party into disrepute and expelled him. Galloway described the hearing as a "show trial" and a "kangaroo court."
Resignations and Re-election
In 2005, Galloway joined the Respect coalition and became its candidate in the Bethnal Green and Bow constituency. He won the seat with a narrow margin and pledged to represent the disenfranchised.
Galloway's parliamentary activity declined after his expulsion from the Labour Party. He participated minimally in debates and asked no oral questions in the House of Commons for over a year.
Poplar and Limehouse Election Defeat
In 2010, Galloway ran as a Respect candidate in the Poplar and Limehouse constituency but lost to the Labour candidate.
By-Election Victory in Bradford West
In 2012, Galloway won a by-election in Bradford West with a landslide majority, surprising many political commentators.
Later Political Activities
Galloway remained vocal on issues such as Palestine, the Iraq War, and poverty eradication. He became a controversial figure known for his strong opinions and willingness to challenge established norms.
