As a resident of George's constituency, I would prefer to hear him speak on local issues rather than international issues. Can anyone recall him evere speaking on a local (or even Scottish) issue? He should remember who appointed him and who pays him. I do not know if the documents found in Iraq are genuine, but the damage has been done in the wider (beyond Glasgow)public perception.

His suspension is simply a device to present him being selected for another constituency when the Glasgow Kelvin seat disappears by the next election. The selection process takes place later this year and if he is still under suspension, he is technically not within the party and thus cannot be considered. I do not agree with George Galloway on Saddam (his "indefatigability"), but the Labour party has always been a broad church and should be able to accomodate this views.

He went too far however by encouraging all Arabs to fight British soldiers - some of whom were no doubt his own constituents - and this more than anything else has alienated him locally. At a time when two British muslims were already planning suicide bombings in Israel, this was a comment to far.

His real "crime" however was critising Tony and for that alone Laour will get rid of him. If George were to stand under the official Labour banner, he would still be re-elected. Labour could (and probably have metaphorically) offered monkeys as candidates in Glasgow and had them returned as MP's. If forced to stand as an Independant, he will have no chance.