Green Party leader Zack Polanski has been selected as his party's candidate for the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, scheduled for October 8. The vote was triggered by the departure of former Labour leader and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer from Parliament.
Polanski will contend against Labour's Sagal Abdi-Wali, the current leader of Camden Council. The Holborn and St Pancras seat has been a Labour stronghold since its creation in 1983, having been held by Frank Dobson from 1983 to 2015 and then by Starmer.
During the selection process, Polanski was chosen over local councillor Hamza Chowdhury, who had criticized the practice of candidates being nominated for seats without established local ties. Polanski, a London Assembly member, stated he is familiar with the constituency and intends to commute from his home in East London if elected. He expressed confidence in the Green Party's prospects, telling reporters, "We have the momentum and we can win."
The by-election is seen as a significant test for Prime Minister Andy Burnham's popularity. While Labour is expected to be the main contender, the contest holds considerable importance for the Green Party. Polanski's leadership saw an initial surge in Green support, but national polling has seen a decline since Burnham took office.
Polanski also voiced support for Abdi-Wali, a former child refugee, following what he described as "despicable" criticism of her background from Reform's Zia Yusuf on the social media platform X. "Every single day during this election, I will stand with any candidate who is facing abusive attacks and at the same time put forward Green Party policies that are going to make life easier for everyone in this country and in this constituency," Polanski stated.
In the 2024 general election, Starmer secured 48.9% of the vote in Holborn and St Pancras. An independent candidate came in second with 18.9%, followed by the Green Party in third with 10.4%. The Conservative Party received 7.2%, Reform 6.1%, and the Liberal Democrats 5.8%.
The increased support for independent and Green candidates in the 2024 election was partly attributed to voter dissatisfaction with Starmer's stance on the conflict in Gaza. The Green Party also experienced gains in local elections within the London Borough of Camden, which encompasses the constituency.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham visited the constituency to support Abdi-Wali's campaign launch. Government Chief Whip Anneliese Midgley formally triggered the by-election in the House of Commons on Monday. Sir Keir Starmer announced his intention to step down from Parliament earlier this month, citing a desire to focus on international affairs.