This article analyses George Galloway's methods of communicating with the electorate through the anti-political establishment party ‘Respect’. The article evaluates Galloway's use of emotive rhetoric and performance-based oratory, arguing that these are likely to appeal to a particular segment of the electorate, specifically those disaffected with the mainstream parties. To do this, the article evaluates a selection of indicative speeches that highlight his style of communicating. The article concludes that Galloway's impact can be attributed to his emotive style of rhetoric, and performance style of oratory.