Candidate	Party	Votes cast	% share	% change
	George Galloway	RESPECT	18341	55.9	+52.8
	Imran Hussain	LAB	8201	25	-20.3
	Jackie Whiteley	CON	2746	8.4	-22.7
	Jeanette Sunderland	LD	1505	4.6	-7.1
	Sonja McNally	UKIP	1085	3.3	+1.3
	Dawud Islam	Green	481	1.5	-0.8

Was for many this about giving LAB a bloody nose?

Just looking at the numbers compared with the general election and it’s clear that there was a huge anti-LAB tactical vote. Many Tories and LDs from the general election went with Galloway.

This combined with the perception that LAB took its voters for granted combined to produce a devastating outcome for the red team in a week when everything was going its way. Last night YouGov had the party at 44%.

Even during the campaign the LAB candidate reinforced negative perceptions by refusing to take part in hustings meetings.

There are some of my tweets from overnight.

“@Kevin_Maguire: “Heavy blow for Ed Mili-Labour”Dead right Kevin

— Mike Smithson (@MikeSmithsonOGH) March 30, 2012

It is not just the fact of victory but the scale. There was almost certainly a high level of CON>Galloway tactical voting.

— Mike Smithson (@MikeSmithsonOGH) March 30, 2012

Looking at the numbers & the records Galloway’s victory in Bradford West is the most sensational by election result of modern times.

— Mike Smithson (@MikeSmithsonOGH) March 30, 2012

Labour MP blames Big Brother for their humiliation.They need a better line than that.

— Mike Smithson (@MikeSmithsonOGH) March 30, 2012

A big win for SkyNews as well as Galloway.

— Mike Smithson (@MikeSmithsonOGH) March 30, 2012

Why is the BBC Bradford West coverage so crap? This is the most sensational by-election result for decades and they are ignoring it

— Mike Smithson (@MikeSmithsonOGH) March 30, 2012

This is a devastating result for Labour and no amount of spin can undermine that basic fact.

— Mike Smithson (@MikeSmithsonOGH) March 30, 2012