I've long lost any respect for George Galloway, but the contempt with which he apparently regards his followers was displayed in his behaviour during the Commons vote on the Government's terrorist legislation this week. The Guardian reports that he was, in fact, in the Irish city of Cork, on a "lucrative" speaking engagement at the Everyman Palace Theatre on his tour titled An Audience With George Galloway: The Mother of All One Man Shows. On one part of the bill, the Government prevailed by just one vote!
This is in part worse than it sounds and in part not as bad. It's worse because during the speeches he gave in 2004, he talked (in a speech I personally attended at Kingston University) about the war on minorities, particularly Muslims, at home through such measures as anti-terrorist legislation. So at a time when this war is being fought in the commons, he's away in Ireland. His defence is really no defence at all:
"If I had known in advance that the government would get through an amendment by just one vote and if there were not a contract which would have meant losing thousands, I would have been there, although it would still have been a difficult amendment for me to vote for. I may be prosecuted under this bill. The amendment would only have made it less bad. I have to balance my time between parliament, the constituency and the duties I have as a national figure in Respect, as an international figure and as a fundraiser."
I guess that the party really cannot stand on its own two feet; it can't do its job as a Parliamentary party and keep itself afloat. It shows the extent of its support!
It's not as bad because, even if Galloway had been there, the vote would have been a tie, calling on the Speaker to give a casting vote, and the Speaker traditionally casts his or her vote with the government. Still, everyone knew that this would be a close call and that it was a matter of the government versus the opposition and in-party rebels. On such an issue as this, someone who had made his name campaigning for minority, and particularly Muslim, issues has no excuse to be away. People cancel gigs all the time. Some people do it because they're ill, some because they have other engagements.
Really, we need a way of recalling MPs the way some elected officials can be recalled in the USA and other countries. This guy is a joke. He has participated in only 13% of Parliamentary votes. In this country waging war is Royal Prerogative and is the decision of the Prime Minister, but on issues where Galloway can make a difference, he chooses not to. Pathetic.
Salaams Yusuf,
I couldn't agree more with you on this. I don't live in his constituency but still campaigned for him and now I'm wondering why.
There seems to be a strong chance here in the US Galloway may face some criminal charges. The least being lying to Congress the worst possible charges coming from the UN Oil for Food scandle. Time will tell. Time will tell...
Cerebral Waste everyone will have thier day whether before men or Allah (azawajal).
Toss religion out of the equation on this for a moment. What GOD/ALLAH/or ??? does for justice down the line is fine. And I am sure it will be well deserved if it is deemed to be needed.
I am concerned about is the HERE and NOW. If the man LIED and accepted bribes than society(ie the world) must demand justice be served in the HERE and NOW. Waiting for "justice" in the afterlife does not repair the damage done now or send a message to others that this type of behavior is not accpetable.
George Galloway will face no charges whatsoever! You Imperialist White Supremicist can not accept that some one stood against the racist Iraqi War on principle.
As for the vote at the Commons this is what Galloway had to say with regard to the mischievious press reports that Indigo Jo picked up on:
http://www.respectcoalition.org/?ite=917
Jabar Yafi
You forgot to call me an Infidel. Which I am proud to be one. Anyway in case you can't read this is the written policy for this site:
Policies
Comments insulting Islam, bad language, school-yard insults and personal insults are unsuitable, and people submitting them should expect alteration (clearly marked) or deletion. This applies to Muslims as to everyone else.
I fail to see what I or anyone else said to provoke such a racist smear attack on the posters here.That's harem by the way. But you know that right?
In fact I don't recall anyone laying guilt directly on Galloway. Lots of "if's" and "may's". Strong words you toss against people who disagree with your views. Sorry you feel this way. God bless you anyway.
this is silly, as if it all depended on galloway. what about those truly responsible..the 300 that voted for the policy?
what about the muslims that voted for it?
and the media leads you by the nose to blame galloway. time to get a reality check methinks