Taxi driver Cllr Patel, who was elected as a Conservative for Audley and Queen’s Park ward in 2021, resigned from the party in October due to the government’s stance on the Israeli siege of Gaza. He is now running as an independent candidate in the upcoming local elections for Blackburn with Darwen Council in the Little Harwood and Whitebirk ward.
He recently shared a video on social media featuring Mr. Galloway, who is standing in Rochdale for the Workers Party of Britain, expressing his full support for Patel’s candidacy and pledging to campaign for him. The video shows the two in Galloway’s campaign headquarters in Rochdale.
In the video, Mr. Galloway states, “I’m endorsing Tiger Patel in the upcoming local elections in May, and I’ll be in Blackburn to support his campaign. Let’s all get behind Tiger. The community’s future is at stake.”
Mr. Galloway, known for his controversial views, is the frontrunner in the Rochdale poll after Labour’s candidate had their party membership withdrawn over remarks about Israel. Galloway, who previously served as Labour MP for Glasgow Hillhead, has long been an advocate for the Palestinian cause and has made it a central focus of his campaign.
Cllr Patel expressed gratitude for Mr. Galloway’s endorsement, stating, “This endorsement signifies a crucial moment in my campaign. I am honored to receive Mr. Galloway’s support, and I see it as a vote of confidence in my ability to serve the community effectively.”
He added, “I am committed to addressing the pressing issues facing our community and bringing about positive change.”