Green Party leader Zack Polanski has confirmed his desire to stand in the upcoming by-election for the Holborn and St Pancras constituency, a seat recently vacated by Sir Keir Starmer.
Polanski, currently a member of the London Assembly, expressed excitement about the prospect of becoming the first Green Member of Parliament for the London seat. He stated, "I have lived and worked in this community over many years, I know it well and I love it. It represents so many of the things that make London so special. I am so excited by the prospect of representing this place in Parliament."
The Green Party is targeting the seat, which has historically been a Labour stronghold. The party achieved second place behind Labour in local elections in the area earlier this year, bolstering their confidence in contesting the constituency.
Sir Keir Starmer announced his resignation as the MP for Holborn and St Pancras on Tuesday. He had held the seat since 2015. Starmer stated that he was stepping down to concentrate on international affairs, including defense, security, trade, and technology, as well as continuing his work on violence against women and girls. He had previously indicated he would remain as an MP until the next UK general election, not due until 2029, but decided it was the "right time" to "pass the baton to a successor."
For Polanski to officially become the Green Party's candidate, he must be selected by local party members. While his comments suggest this is likely, recent reports indicate potential divisions among local Green activists, with some reportedly favoring a candidate focused on the Gaza issue. Additionally, it remains unclear if Andrew Feinstein, who was the independent runner-up to Starmer in the 2024 general election, will stand again, which could potentially split the vote.
A date for the by-election has not yet been set. This contest will present a challenge for Starmer's successor in the Holborn and St Pancras constituency.