George Galloway has said that the Respect party is seeking a platform to set out its views.

Speaking to ePolitix.com last month, the MP highlighted opposition to the Iraq war as a key issue.

"I want to use the European parliament in the way that I have tried to use the Westminster parliament," he said.

"As a platform to fight for the kind of Britain, the kind of Europe, the kind of world that so many millions want to see but are virtually unrepresented in the mainstream political system today.

"People who want a world without war, people who want justice, people who want the Palestinians to be freed from the extraordinary, savage oppression that they are currently suffering and yet the find an echo in none of the mainstream political parties.

"If I am elected the European parliament, that is the kind of thing I'll be fighting for and I'll use the platform that that gives me, especially as a member of parliament for London – the Capital city where the political heart of the establishment is and where the media is.

"I think it will be a very useful thing to do."