Green Party leader Zack Polanski has released a campaign video entirely in Urdu for the upcoming Holborn and St Pancras parliamentary by-election, a move that has drawn criticism from political opponents. The video, posted on his Bold Politics podcast channel on X, aims to engage with voters in the London constituency.
Census data indicates that approximately 22% of the population in Holborn and St Pancras identify as Asian, with about 10% of voters being of Bangladeshi origin, 3% Indian, and less than 1% Pakistani. Around 20% of the constituency's population is Muslim. Urdu is primarily spoken in Pakistan and India.
Conservative local government spokesman Katie Lam criticized the video, stating, "Attempting to appeal to group-based grievances by campaigning in foreign languages is poisonous. We must ban this practice for good. Politics in our country should be conducted in the language of public life."
Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately echoed these concerns, telling Times Radio, "I'm concerned to see this campaigning in other languages. Politicians should be campaigning in the languages of the United Kingdom." She added that individuals living in the UK should be learning English to integrate into society.
Polanski is seeking to capitalize on the Green Party's recent momentum, having secured second place in several wards within the constituency during the May local elections. The Holborn and St Pancras seat has been held by Labour since its creation in 1983. Dissatisfaction among Labour voters with the government's approach to Gaza has led to a shift towards Green and independent candidates in recent elections.
The Green Party faced similar criticism in February during the Gorton and Denton by-election when candidate Hannah Spencer released a video in Urdu. Spencer also appeared on Urdu leaflets while wearing a keffiyeh.
Other parties have also announced their candidates for the Holborn and St Pancras by-election. Patrick Stillman will represent the Liberal Democrats, Ewan Cameron is the Conservative candidate, and Pete Newman will stand for Reform UK. Labour has selected Sagal Abdi-Wali, the leader of Camden Council, to succeed Sir Keir Starmer, who announced his resignation from the constituency earlier this month.
A spokesperson for the Green Party defended the strategy, stating, "The Greens believe that democracy doesn't discriminate by languages spoken. Many people are bilingual. Holborn and St Pancras is a true reflection of the diversity of London and of our country and we choose to embrace and celebrate that."
"If we want to speak to people who speak Urdu, it makes sense to speak to them in Urdu. We're proud to reach voters in as many languages as possible," the spokesperson added.