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Polanski seeks Starmer seat
Zack Polanski, the leader of Britain’s left-wing Green Party, announced on Thursday that he intends to stand in the by-election for the London constituency of Holborn and St Pancras after former prime minister Keir Starmer resigned as an MP.
“Zack Polanski says he'll run for former PM Starmer's seat in by-election”
Polanski told the Camden New Journal that “I am so excited by the prospect of representing this place in Parliament,” and said the seat “represents so many of the things that make London so special.”
The BBC reported that Polanski confirmed he wants to stand in the by-election brought about by Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation as an MP, with the Greens targeting a seat described as a Labour stronghold.
The BBC also said Polanski needs to be selected by local party members to become the official Green candidate, and that a date for the by-election has not yet been set.
The Guardian added that local Green party members backed Polanski to become the party’s candidate in the Holborn and St Pancras byelection, with nominations expected to open soon and candidates selected by the end of next week.
Labour, independents, and splits
Labour prepared for a “massive battle” against Polanski’s Green Party at the by-election, with Cabinet Office minister Sally Jameson saying, “They can fancy their chances all they like, but we will be fighting hard and we'll be making sure that we win.”
The London Evening Standard said Labour won the seat with a majority of 11,572 at the 2024 general election, while the Greens trailed in third place with 4,030.
The BBC reported that Andrew Feinstein, the independent runner-up to Sir Keir in the constituency at the 2024 general election, said he believes Polanski will be an “excellent candidate,” while writing on X that “Unfortunately I am not in a position to stand this time round.”
The BBC also noted reports of splits among local Green activists, with some said to favour a Palestinian candidate or a pro-Gaza independent.
In the Guardian, Tulip Siddiq, the Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate, said, “I know Camden through and through and I do believe that we can win this,” adding that Andy Burnham’s pledges on the doorstep are being “gratefully received” in Camden.
What’s at stake for parties
The BBC framed the by-election as an early test of Andy Burnham’s ability to stave off the Green threat in inner-city constituencies, and said the stakes were already high for Labour because the seat offers that test.
“The stakes were already high for Labour at this by-election”
Polanski said a Green victory would be a “clear message that we won't sit by as we get poorer and extreme wealth is concentrated at the very top,” and the Guardian described the byelection as a “referendum on ending rip-off Britain.”
The Guardian reported that Labour will not run an all-women shortlist and will announce their candidate by next Wednesday, with applications closing on Friday and shortlisting expected by the start of next week.
The Guardian also said the frontrunner is thought to be Sagal Abdi-Wali, and quoted a Labour source saying, “She’s got a compelling personal story and can reach people from all faiths and backgrounds in Camden.”
The BBC said Sir Keir had been MP for the area since 2015 and that he quit to focus on a role in international affairs, while also stating he would continue his work combatting violence against women and girls.