If you thought the last you’d hear of George Galloway’s Workers Party of Britain would be the Rochdale by-election, you were sadly mistaken. ‘Gorgeous George’s’ group is back in the limelight after former England cricketer, Monty Panesar, announced that he would be the party’s candidate in Ealing Southall at the upcoming general election — even revealing ambitions to one day be Prime Minister. Panesar is just part of an eclectic bunch trying to be recruited by the Workers Party. While Galloway claims he’s held secret talks with several Labour MPs keen to jump ship, it has also been announced today that Craig Murray — the pro-indy blogger jailed for contempt of court over the Alex Salmond trial — will be joining his party’s ranks.
But while Galloway is busy making manoeuvres, it appears Panesar himself has quite a way to go until he masters the political basics. Quizzed by Times Radio presenter Stig Abell on the airwaves, the left-arm spinner turned left-wing crusader ended up totally flummoxed on the number one priority of his party: Nato. Protesting that he didn’t ‘have a deep understanding’ of the organisation, Panesar added its purpose was to ‘protect the European Union’ before agreeing ‘it’s got America in it’. Er, right. The ex-cricketer then decided to draw a rather tenuous link between the political defence body and illegal migrants living in ‘deprived areas’ of the UK — before remembering the question and hastily calling for a ‘debate’ on Nato.
But Abell wasn’t going to let Panesar off the hook, sensing the sportsman was on a sticky wicket. The rather excruciating exchange won’t have left many listeners bowled over…
Watch the clip here:
Comments