Green Party Selects Zack Polanski for Holborn and St Pancras By-election

LONDON: The Green Party has selected its leader, Zack Polanski, as its candidate for the forthcoming Holborn and St Pancras by-election, setting up a closely watched contest against Labour in the constituency formerly represented by former Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The by-election is scheduled for October 8 after Starmer resigned as the constituency’s Member of Parliament earlier this month. Labour has selected Camden Council leader Sagal Abdi-Wali as its candidate.

Although Labour secured the seat with a majority of more than 11,000 votes at the 2024 general election, the Greens are seeking to capitalize on recent gains in the area. The party increased its representation on Camden Council from one councillor to 10 in the May local elections, strengthening its confidence ahead of the by-election.

Polanski acknowledged that the Greens enter the contest as underdogs but said the party had significant momentum. He highlighted the party’s recent electoral gains and grassroots campaigning efforts as evidence that it could mount a serious challenge to Labour.

The Green leader defeated Camden councillor Hamza Chowdhury in the internal selection process. Chowdhury had argued that the constituency needed a representative with stronger local roots, but Polanski emphasized his own connection to the area, saying he had lived in the constituency when he first moved to London two decades ago.

Green MP Hannah Spencer, who announced Polanski’s selection, acknowledged Labour’s electoral advantage but said the Greens would rely on grassroots support rather than the financial and organizational resources available to larger established parties.

The contest is expected to attract considerable political attention, with the outcome potentially providing an early indication of the Green Party’s ability to translate its recent local electoral gains into parliamentary support. Labour’s campaign will also face scrutiny over government policies on energy and the environment, issues that are particularly relevant to the Greens’ electoral message.

The Holborn and St Pancras by-election will therefore be closely watched as a test of Labour’s hold over a traditionally strong constituency and the Greens’ growing ambitions in national politics.