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       Monty Panesar: Ex-England cricket star quits George Galloway's party
       after a week
        
 (HTM) Source
        
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       Former England cricket star Monty Panesar has withdrawn as a candidate
       for George Galloway's political party just eight days after announcing
       he was standing.
        
       The ex-spin bowler announced last week he would be **standing to be an
       MP** in the west London constituency of Ealing Southall for the
       Workers Party of Britain, led by controversial politician **Mr
       Galloway.**
        
       But Panesar, who played for England between 2006 and 2013, said he has
       now realised he needs more time to "find my political home".
        
       "I realise I need more time to listen, learn and find my political
       home, one that aligns with my personal and political values," the
       42-year-old said.
        
       "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."
        
       Image: Panesar announced his candidacy for The Workers Party just last
       week. Pic: PA
        
       During an interview, Panesar appeared to be confused about one of the
       Workers Party's pledges to leave the NATO military alliance.
        
       He suggested NATO's role was related to immigration policy and British
       membership was making it harder to control its borders.
        
       "I think the reason our party is saying it is because we don't really
       have control on our borders," he told Times Radio.
        
       "We have illegal migration and then what ends up happening is some of
       these illegal migrants go into the poorer, deprived areas, and then
       the resources get strained. And it affects, you know, the ordinary
       people, our working people in this country.
        
       "I think that's one of the reasons, you know, our party wants to
       maybe, you know, have a debate about is it really necessary to be in
       NATO or not."
        
        **Read more politics news:  
       Second Tory MP in 11 days defects to Labour Party  
       Scotland's new deputy first minister announced**
        
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       1:13
        
       'I'll try to make Rochdale great again'
        
       Asked what NATO is, Panesar replied: "I don't have a deep
       understanding of NATO."
        
       He also said he would leave the issue of Gaza to Mr Galloway after the
       Workers Party leader re-entered British politics in March **following
       a shock victory in the Rochdale by-election.**
        
       Mr Galloway won the by-election after focusing his campaign on the war
       in Gaza.
        
        
        
        
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