Former Labour MP George Galloway has stormed to victory in the Rochdale by-election, taking the seat from his former party with a majority almost 6,000 votes.
When Labour holds its inquest into the debacle of this by-election, it will reflect on how what should have been a routine by-election win in a relatively safe seat turned into Sir Keir s worst nightmare - a win for George Galloway.
Keir Starmer voiced regret as George Galloway emerged victorious in the normally-safe seat after one of the most divisive and chaotic contests in recent history.