Now the struggle for meaning begins…..

George Galloway’s victory in Bethnal Green and Bow represents a historic victory for the left. Unsurprisingly that’s not how New Labour and its friends in the media see it - they are seeking to present it as victory for communalism and opportunism. Sadly this ‘interpretation’ seems to be gaining ground amongst some sections of society. Middle class liberals seem particularly susceptible. The following letter in the Guardian puts it into perspective:

After Oona King's defeat, I found comments by Tony Banks and others patronising and insulting to us British-Bangladeshis/Muslims. Contrary to the pathetic excuses they were making for her, we did not vote against Ms King because she was a woman, or because she was black, or Jewish. She was all those things when we voted for her in 1997 and 2001. We voted her out because she did not listen to us on Iraq. If she had done her job and represented her constituents (rather than pursue her personal ambitions by following Blair) she would still be our MP. Simple.
Suber Akther
London