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Galloway quits Respect coalition Galloway plans London Assemby bid
(20 minutes later)
George Galloway is "distancing himself" from anti-war party Respect and forming a separate organisation instead. George Galloway is to run for the London Assembly in May's elections under the Progressive List banner.
He promised the group would gather a "broad coalition" of left-wingers who would promote "Old Labour values".He promised the group would gather a "broad coalition" of left-wingers who would promote "Old Labour values".
Mr Galloway, MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, says he plans to run for both the London Assembly and for Parliament. Mr Galloway, MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, has taken the decision amid splits within the anti-war Respect coalition.
John Rees, the coalition's general secretary, described the move as "a shame", but was sure the party would still "do very well without him".John Rees, the coalition's general secretary, described the move as "a shame", but was sure the party would still "do very well without him".
Respect had already seen a split in its ranks, holding two separate party conferences on one day last November. Respect saw a split in its ranks last year, holding two separate party conferences on one day last November.
'Uncomfortable''Uncomfortable'
The division was understood to revolve around arguments about candidate selection and internal democracy.The division was understood to revolve around arguments about candidate selection and internal democracy.
Mr Galloway and his supporters stuck together on one side, with representatives of the Socialist Workers' Party on the other.Mr Galloway and his supporters stuck together on one side, with representatives of the Socialist Workers' Party on the other.
"It's been clear for some time that George was uncomfortable in Respect," added Mr Rees. As well as standing under the Progressive List banner, Mr Galloway still plans to challenge Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick in his Poplar and Limehouse seat.
As well as representing his new party in the assembly elections on 1 May, Mr Galloway still plans to challenge Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick in his Poplar and Limehouse seat.
If he does participate in that east London constituency at the next general election, he will be hoping to claim his second Labour scalp.If he does participate in that east London constituency at the next general election, he will be hoping to claim his second Labour scalp.
In the 2005 election, he spectacularly defeated Oona King, overturning the Labour MP's majority of 10,000 to win by 823 votes.In the 2005 election, he spectacularly defeated Oona King, overturning the Labour MP's majority of 10,000 to win by 823 votes.