Car repair shop owner with 'no political views' unexpectedly comes second in Rochdale

David Tully, independent candidate, at the by-election count at Rochdale Leisure Center Photo: JOEL GOODMAN/LONDON NEWS PICTURES

Rochdale businessman , who told voters he had “no political views,” beat all the major parties after campaigning to tackle speeding drivers and other local issues.

Dave Tully, repair shop owner cars, came in a surprise second place in Thursday night's election, receiving more than 20 percent of the vote as an independent candidate with more than 6,000 votes.

He finished second to the Workers' Party of Great Britain's George Galloway, who ran on a pro-Palestinian ticket .

Tully's success will be seen as a sign of disappointment among voters who have not seen any appeal to the major party candidates.

According to the results of the vote, more than 60 percent of voters voted against the main Westminster parties.

Presenting himself as a candidate with «no political views or opinions», Mr Tully told voters: «I want to be the voice of the people of Rochdale, in every community.»

A businessman who had no political views or opinions, Having had experience in politics before the by-election, told the BBC last month: «I just felt my passion for the city and my beliefs in my heart that I have — I felt I had to stand up for my community and the community that I live from day to day.

“I would say that we as a community are not well taken care of. We get a lot of bad press and I feel I have to correct that because I can't miss this opportunity.

“As an independent, no allegiance to any other parties or any political views or opinions . I just want to do the best I can for my city and my community.»

Allen Brett, the former Labor leader of Rochdale, said that if Tully had received more advice on how to campaign, he would have been even more successful.

He told BBC Radio 4: «He has repaired my car. He went to school with my daughter. He is well known in Rochdale and if he had had a little more professional advice to begin with I think he would have done even better. «

He added that Mr Tully was not even aware that, as an official parliamentary candidate, he had the right to send out one round of free campaign material to postal addresses in the constituency.

A local businessman put the center of his campaign «Zero tolerance for high-speed drivers driving around our area,» telling Rochdale Online: «Sometimes they can get away with not causing any injuries or accidents, but it just puts fear in you and it doesn't sit well with you.» This is completely wrong.»

Rochdale by-election

Follow our live blog for the latest news and reactions. Read more < p>As a season ticket holder at Rochdale AFC, a club mired in financial difficulties, Mr Tully has also campaigned to secure its future.

He said he would also like to work on rebuilding the maternity ward at area and fight for increased funding for the local hospice.

The Labor Party, which has held the seat since 2010, withdrew its support for candidate Azhar Ali following an anti-Semitism row, leaving voters in Rochdale without a potential Labor MP. support.

Mr Ali, who was listed on the ballot paper as a Labor MP, came fourth with just 2,402 votes.