George Galloway is contesting the Holborn and St Pancras parliamentary by-election for the Workers Party, with polling scheduled for Thursday, 8 October.
Camden Council’s official nomination notice confirms his candidacy and names Peter Higgins as his election agent.
The Guardian reported on Wednesday that Galloway had not returned to Britain during the campaign.
His absence has drawn attention to an unusual campaign in a constituency previously represented by former Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Why he is campaigning from abroad
When Galloway announced his candidacy in September, the Morning Star reported that he had been living outside Britain following questioning at Gatwick airport the previous year.
Galloway said he wanted assurances from the government before returning. He described his treatment as political persecution and acknowledged that campaigning in person would be more effective.
That is his account of the circumstances behind his absence. His claim of persecution should not be treated as an established finding.
The newspaper reported that his campaign would emphasise wages, housing, energy, public services, and opposition to Britain’s involvement in the war in Ukraine. It also noted his previous parliamentary service for Labour, Respect, and the Workers Party.
Who else is standing?
There are 15 candidates in the contest, according to ITV News’ account of the published nominations.
They include Labour’s Sagal Abdi-Wali, Green Party leader Zack Polanski, Conservative Ewan Cameron, Reform UK’s Peter Newman, and Liberal Democrat Patrick Stillman.
The election was triggered by Starmer’s decision to resign as an MP. Galloway’s inclusion on the official ballot confirms that he is a nominated candidate, rather than simply someone who has announced an intention to stand.
What the candidate rules say
The Electoral Commission’s parliamentary candidate guidance says candidates must be at least 18 and meet the relevant citizenship requirements.
It also states that candidates do not have to be registered electors in the UK. Other eligibility and disqualification rules still apply.
The political question of whether voters want a candidate who campaigns remotely is separate from whether that candidate has been validly nominated.
Voting on Thursday
Camden Council’s voter information confirms that polling stations will open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday, 8 October. Anyone in the queue by 10pm will still be allowed to vote.
Registered voters attending a polling station must bring an accepted original photo ID. A poll card is not required.
The council says votes will be counted overnight, with the result published on its website.
Trivane View
Voters should judge every candidate on their policies, record, and ability to represent the constituency. A candidate campaigning from abroad should explain how they would meet residents, handle casework, and carry out parliamentary duties if elected.
Remote campaigning can reach people online. Constituents also need a representative they can contact and hold accountable.
