Labour's Sagal Abdi‑Wali leads early count as Greens trail in Holborn by‑election
A by‑election in Holborn and St Pancras was called after Sir Keir Starmer resigned his seat. Labour’s candidate, Sagal Abdi‑Wali, is currently ahead of Green Party leader Zack Polanski in the early tallies. Turnout was reported at 38.76%, down from the 54.46% recorded in the 2024 general election. The Greens have faced criticism after members backed a motion labeling Zionism as racism, which party figures say may have dampened support. The result will show how voters in a long‑held Labour constituency respond to the Greens’ challenge.
How this was covered
- Left-leaning outlets covered this 31h later
Why it matters
The outcome will signal voter sentiment in a traditionally safe Labour seat and affect the Greens’ prospects for breaking into Parliament in London.
How this story developed
- Sep 22 Green Party leader clashes with pro-Palestinian motion calling for Israel's dissolution
- Oct 2 Polanski publicly declared an anti‑Zionist stance at a hustings event.
- Oct 4 The conference established a locked safe room for Jewish participants amid the Zionism debate.
- Oct 4 The motion passed with 1,022 votes for and 813 against, adopting language that labels Zionism as racism and endorses a single democratic Palestinian state throughout historic Palestine.
- Oct 5 Israel’s foreign ministry announced a ban on Green Party leader Zack Polanski from entering Israel.
- Oct 6 Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vacated his London seat, prompting a contest between Labour’s Sagal Abdi-Wali and Green leader Zack Polanski. Abdi-Wali, a four-year Camden councillor, aims to become the first Black East African woman in Parliament. Polanski, a London Assembly member, is campaigning on climate, Gaza and anti-Zionist positions, seeking to attract Muslim voters.
- Oct 7 The European Green Party publicly rejected the UK Greens' resolution.
- Oct 9 Early count shows Labour’s Sagal Abdi‑Wali ahead of Green leader Zack Polanski.
Related stories
26 in this thread