Zack Polanski poised to become Green candidate for Holborn and St Pancras by-election

Zack Polanski, a London Assembly member, is expected to be declared the Green Party’s candidate for the Holborn and St Pancras by-election after an online hustings that pitted him against councillor Hamza Chowdhury. The by-election, scheduled for October 8, was triggered by Sir Keir’s departure from Parliament. Labour’s Sagal Abdi-Wali, who leads Camden Council, will seek to retain the seat for Labour, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham campaigning on her behalf.

Historically, the constituency has been held by Labour since its creation in 1983, first by Frank Dobson and then by Sir Keir, but the 2024 general election saw the Greens finish third and an independent candidate second. The Green Party’s local profile has risen after gains in the Camden borough elections. Government chief whip Anneliese Midgley moved the writ, formally starting the by-election process.