Professor Rob Ford analyses the Rochdale by-election
Ford鈥檚 analysis suggests that George Galloway鈥檚 election victory was a one-off and that he may lose the seat in the general election.
In a blog for UK in a Changing Europe, analyses the circumstances behind Galloway鈥檚 surprising victory in the . Ford argues that the large swing to Galloway must be understood against the unique circumstances of the by-election, such that Labour鈥檚 disavowal of their own candidate.
鈥楻ochdale was almost like a natural experiment to see how low the Labour vote would go if voters are given no information, are not mobilised, and are actively discouraged from supporting the party鈥檚 candidate. It is difficult to imagine more favourable circumstances for outsiders and insurgents.鈥�
Nonetheless, Ford maintains that the Rochdale results may still worry Labour in a volatile electoral landscape where they can no longer rely on old loyalties.
Professor Rob Ford is co-author of , published by Palgrave Macmillan.