Greens leader Zack Polanski will be the party’s candidate in Holborn and St Pancras.Zack Polanski will be the Green Party’s candidate in next month’s crucial Holborn and St Pancras by-election.
The party confirmed on Friday morning that he will go up against Labour’s Sagal Abdi-Wali to succeed Keir Starmer as the constituency’s MP.
The former prime minister stunned Westminster by announcing he was quitting parliament earlier this month.
Polanski beat off the challenge of local Green councillor Hamza Chowdhury for the party’s nomination.
Starmer retained the seat for Labour with a majority of 11,572 votes at the 2024 general election.
But the Greens have seen a surge in support since Polanski was elected the party’s leader a year ago.
The by-election is seen as a straight fight between Labour, who have held the seat ever since it was created in 1983, and the Greens.
A victory for Abdi-Wali would be further proof that Labour is winning back voters who had switched to the Greens now that Starmer has been replaced as leader by Andy Burnham.
It would also be a huge blow to the Greens, and the political ambitions of Polanski.
But a victory for Polanski would give the Greens their first London MP and be a massive boost for the party as it fights Labour for the support of progressive voters across the country.
Polanski said: ““I am proud and honoured to have been selected for a by-election in the constituency where I have lived and worked for much of the past 20 years.
“I love this place and so do the people whose doors I’ve knocked on in recent days – but it can be even better. I know times are tough in Holborn and St Pancras.
“My story of constant moving around flats is such a common story for Londoners – and I know many people here are really struggling right now. I’ll fight to turn this around.
“Greens are underdogs here but we have the momentum – and I know we can achieve a historic victory in one of Labour’s safest seats.”
Labour MP Liam Conlon, who is leading the party’s by-election campaign, said: “Only Labour’s Sagal Abdi-Wali is rooted in this community and has a proven track record of delivering for Camden.
“She has spent 20 years volunteering across this area, and taken action to improve housing and support for young families as council leader
“Labour will run a positive campaign that brings people together and gives them hope.”
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