Green leader Zack Polanski selected to contest Holborn and St Pancras byelection

Zack Polanski, leader of the Green party, has been selected to stand as its candidate in the byelection for Holborn and St Pancras, scheduled for 8 October. The seat opened up this month after former prime minister Keir Starmer announced he was stepping down from parliament.

Polanski acknowledged the Greens are the underdogs in the contest but expressed confidence the party can defeat Labour, which held the seat with a majority of more than 11,000 votes at the 2024 general election. He pointed to the Greens' progress in May's local elections, when the party's representation on the local council grew from one councillor to ten.

Labour announced on Wednesday that it had chosen Camden council leader Sagal Abdi-Wali as its candidate. She said the area had welcomed her family as refugees and given them hope, adding she was grateful for the chance to build a life there while serving as a councillor, school governor and community activist.

Energy decisions loom over campaign

Some within Labour are reportedly worried that upcoming government decisions on oil and gas projects could affect the campaign. Industry sources expect ministers to approve the Jackdaw gasfield as early as next week, while a decision on the contentious Rosebank oilfield is expected to be delayed until after the byelection concludes.

Polanski secured the Green nomination ahead of local councillor Hamza Chowdhury. Announcing his candidacy, MP Hannah Spencer acknowledged that Labour holds advantages in funding and organisation, but said the Greens are driven by people who care and have a record of beating established parties. Polanski noted he has lived in the constituency since moving to London two decades ago.