Sagal Abdi-Wali, the current leader of Camden Council, has been chosen by the Labour Party to stand as their candidate in the upcoming by-election for the Holborn and St Pancras constituency. The election is scheduled for October 8.
The seat was previously held by Sir Keir Starmer, who resigned as the Member of Parliament on September 1. Starmer stated that he felt it was the appropriate time to step down from his parliamentary role to concentrate on international affairs.
Abdi-Wali, who has served as a councillor for Camden Square since 2022 and has led the council since May, expressed her enthusiasm upon being selected. "I am delighted that local members have put their trust in me to be Labour's candidate in the area I've grown up in," she said. She also shared a personal reflection, noting, "This place welcomed my family as refugees and gave us hope when we needed it most. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to build a life here, serving our community as a councillor, school governor and community activist."
The Holborn and St Pancras constituency has been a Labour stronghold since its creation in 1983, with the party consistently securing at least 40% of the vote in general elections.
In the 2024 general election, Sir Keir won 48.9% of the vote in the constituency. The next closest candidate was an independent, Andrew Feinstein, who received 18.9%, followed by the Green Party with 10.4%. The Conservative Party garnered 7.2%, Reform UK 6.1%, and the Liberal Democrats 5.8%.
The Green Party experienced gains in Camden during the local elections held in May.
Meanwhile, Zack Polanski, the Green Party leader and a member of the London Assembly, is seeking his party's nomination for the by-election. He faces a challenge from local councillor Hamza Chowdhury. Chowdhury has voiced criticism regarding candidates who he suggests appear only during election periods. Polanski, however, has refuted these claims, stating his familiarity with the constituency.
