David Tully’s reaction to being the runner up in the Rochdale by-election

All the headlines for the Rochdale by-election will go to George Galloway with his win for the Workers Party of Britain – but even he had to commend local man David Tully on coming second.

The local businessman gained 6,638 votes from his fellow Rochdalians. Although he was a few thousand votes off Galloway’s huge 12,335 vote victory, the independent was given an equally large cheer when his result was called.

It’s a local lad done good story, and he did it for the people of his town – who he felt wanted a local voice in Parliament.

“I’m overwhelmed to be honest,” he said, speaking after the results were called. “I’m thankful to the people of Rochdale who backed me and supported me.

“I need to speak to my family (before thinking about my next move in politics). The campaign was a little overwhelming, there are some parts of it that I’m not used to. It was a challenge.

“I turned up, showed up and did what we did. On Monday I’m straight back to David Tully Ltd.”
 

Read more: Rochdale by-election: George Galloway wins seat and independent David Tully is second with over 6,600 votesPublished: 01 March 2024

 

 

A big part of his reasoning for standing was the lack of local voices in government, and the people of Rochdale feeling their problems have gone unheard. This latest result is indicative of that.

Speaking on doing it for all the Rochdalians, he added: “To come from nowhere in a few weeks to second in a by-election in my local town, I’m very proud. I’m humbled that people have backed me.

“We’ve had a voice tonight, Rochdale. I felt the community I was in wanted a local lad and a voice for them, so I feel I’ve stepped up and we’ve achieved that between us.”

Mr Tully has left the door open in regard to his possible return to politics, but if this election was anything to go by, he would pose a real threat in any future race he decides to join.

George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter