Respect by-election victory

Respect is "on course to win up to three seats in General Election".

George Galloway this morning welcomed Respect's by-election victory in Sparkbrook ward, Birmingham, as "spectacular". "This was a great victory for Respect. We beat a strong campaign from New Labour, got more than three times the Tory vote and pushed the Lib Dems into fourth place. This will send shock waves across the city of Birmingham and beyond."George Galloway continued: "Our detailed analysis now shows we have a very good chance of winning in our three target seats of Birmingham Hall Green with Councillor Salma Yaqoob, Bethnal Green and Bow with Councillor Abjol Miah and Poplar and Limehouse where I am challenging the discredited New Labour MP Jim Fitzpatrick. My warmest congratulations to newly elected Councillor Shokat Ali who will add strongly to the team on Birmingham Council."George Galloway spent yesterday campaigning for Respect in the by-election.The full election result was: Respect 2492, Labour 2221, Tories 797, Lib Dems 505, Greens 188 and Independent 54. Respect holds all three council seats in Sparkbrook ward.