Dramatic Win for George Galloway in Bradford ByElection

George Galloway has secured a sweeping victory in the Bradford West byelection with a majority of over 10,000.

It was a late surge by the former Labour MP and Respect party candidate, who secured 18,341 votes, pushing the favourite, Labour's Imran Hussain, to second position with 8,201 votes.

Hussein suffered a 36.59 per cent swing to Respect out of a total voter turnout of 50.78 per cent.

The Conservatives' Jackie Whiteley took 2,746 votes.

"It is the most sensational result in British byelection history bar none," said Galloway after being declared the winner.

Galloway's dramatic win is a massive blow to both the Tories and the Labour Party. The Bradford West seat has been held by Labour since 1974.

The unexpected defeat at a seat which was considered a safe bet for the party would be definitely raising some pressing questions about the leadership of Ed Miliband.

"It is a very comprehensive defeat for New Labour, it is a pathetic performance by the government parties," Galloway told PA.

"The big three political parties have had a very salutary, unkind lesson this evening and I hope that they all take note. The people of Bradford have spoken this evening for people in inner cities everywhere in the United Kingdom."

The Tories blamed their poor performance on the tepid response to the Budget.

Galloway is an open critic of the British troop presence in Afghanistan. He was considered a favourite among the Muslim population in Britain and had earlier worked for the Iranian state television, Press TV.

Immediately after his victory, Galloway tweeted: George Galloway ‏ @georgegalloway "Long live Iraq. Long live Palestine, free, Arab, dignified. George Galloway MP".