Wes Streeting suggests Rochdale by-election voters might spoil poll papers

Labour frontbencher Wes Streeting has advised voters in Rochdale might spoil their poll papers after Labour binned its candidate.

The Shadow Health Secretary stated the occasion had “no option” however to withdraw assist for Azhar Ali, regardless that it leaves the constituency with no Labour candidate. Mr Ali sparked anger when he advised Israel allowed the Hamas assault on October 7 to go forward as a pretext for warfare. He was later suspended after additional feedback got here to mild revealing he’d hit out at media figures “from certain Jewish quarters”.

Mr Streeting stated that if he was a Rochdale voter on the by-election on February 29, he would spoil his personal poll paper. Asked if he would keep at residence relatively than vote for a candidate he did not assist, he instructed Sky News: “I don’t think I would be casting a ballot, I’d probably go along and spoil my ballot if I lived in Rochdale. And I’m really sorry we put people in that position.

“I believe Keir rightly took the choice that regardless that nominations had closed and we could not take away Azhar Ali from the poll paper, what he stated was so unacceptable that we simply stated we will not give him our backing. All I can say to the folks of Rochdale is I’m sorry and Labour’s going to offer you a greater candidate and a greater choice on the normal election.”

Pressed whether or not he would encourage folks to spoil their poll papers, he stated: “I think that would be one option but voters can make their own minds up.” Mr Streeting went on: “I think looking at the range of candidates they’re not being spoiled with choice.”

He continued: “I feel really sorry and ashamed that Rochdale voters have been left in this position.” Mr Streeting additionally instructed ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “I’m not going to pretend that this has been Labour’s finest hour. We’ve got people going to the polls in Rochdale who don’t have a good Labour candidate to vote for. I’m really sorry that’s the case – I think it’s an appalling position to be in.

“But what I would not need is for Labour to face by somebody who’s peddled antisemitic conspiracy theories, and that is why Keir’s taken this unprecedented motion.”

Labour originally stood by Mr Ali after he apologised for claiming Israel let Hamas carry out the October 7 attacks as a pretext for war. In a recording obtained by the Mail, Mr Ali said Labour MP Andy McDonald “should not have been suspended” for using the controversial phrase “from the river to the ocean”.

Mr Starmer, speaking while campaigning in Wellingborough today, said: “I took decisive motion it’s a large factor to withdraw assist for a Labour candidate through the course of a by-election, it is a robust choice however a needed choice.” Asked if others who were present at the October meeting where Mr Ali made the remarks could face action, he said a “full investigation” would take place.

Pressed on who he would recommend voters in Rochdale support in the upcoming by-election he said: “Voters in Rochdale should decide who they vote for however I’m not ready to place ahead a Labour candidate until I believe that candidate is match to be a Labour MP.”