His short innings will come as a blow to George Galloway, who proudly unveiled the ex-cricketer as a candidate in Ealing Southall, West London, where Labour has a majority of 16,084
Former England cricketer Monty Panesar has ditched plans to stand for George Galloway’s Workers Party after only a week.
Days after he was unveiled as a candidate for the left-wing outfit with great fanfare, Mr Panesar, 42, said he was stepping back to take “more time to listen, learn and find my political home, one that aligns with my personal and political values”. His short innings will come as a blow to Mr Galloway, who proudly unveiled the ex-cricketer as a candidate in Ealing Southall, West London, where Labour has a majority of 16,084.
Luton-born Mr Panesar had said he wanted to “represent the working class people of this country” and “make sure the gap between rich and poor gets closer” in a speech in Parliament Square last week. But he suggested today that he had already become disillusioned with Mr Galloway’s party.
In a statement posted on X, Mr Panesar said: “I’m a proud Brit who has had the honour to represent my country at the highest level of cricket. I now want to do my bit to help others but I recognise I am at the beginning of my journey and still learning about how politics can help people.
“So today I am withdrawing as a General Election candidate for The Workers Party. I realise I need more time to listen, learn and find my political home, one that aligns with my personal and political values. I wish The Workers Party all the best but look forward to taking some time to mature and find my political feet so I am well prepared to deliver my very best when I next run up to the political wicket.”
Since retiring from county cricket, Mr Panesar has studied sports journalism and has been working as a freelance journalist and writer.
Political veteran Mr Galloway, who returned to Parliament after winning the Rochdale by-election in February, has been making wild threats about unseating Labour MPs such as Angela Rayner and David Lammy at the general election. But the divisive politician’s claims about potential defectors from the party have so far not been borne out.
