Zack Polanski just got put on resignation watch after by-election blow
Zack Polanski just got put on resignation watch after by-election blow The Green Party leader faced a bruising defeat in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments ANALYSIS By Katie Harris , Senior Political Correspondent 06:31, Fri, Oct 9, 2026 Updated: 06:34, Fri, Oct 9, 2026 Green leader Zack Polanski took a gamble but it backfired (Image: Getty) Green leader Zack Polanski took a gamble by standing in the by-election in Sir Keir Starmer’s old seat and it is one that has backfired. Journalists gathered at Camden Council’s offices overnight where the result for the Holborn and St Pancras ballot was announced just after 3am. Labour’s candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali, a Somali refugee and the leader of Camden Council, held on to the north London constituency by more than 3,000 votes in the early electoral test for new Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Just months ago, the Greens were surging in national opinion polls under Mr Polanki’s leadership and even overtook Labour at one point. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT They pulled off a sensational win in the Gorton and Denton by-election and had record-breaking results in the local elections. But the party has gone into meltdown in a row over a Gaza debate at their conference, declaring that “Zionism is racism”, which Mr Polanski missed. Get the latest politics news - straight from our team in Westminster and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . Labour’s candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali has won the by-election (Image: Getty) Holborn and St Pancras by-election LIVE: Zack Polanski crisis as Greens defeated Labour wins by-election in nightmare for Greens - results in full The Green leader also sparked a furious backlash in May after sharing a social media post criticising the police’s response to the Golders Green attack, which he later apologised for. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT And a dire poll on the eve of the by-election showed that he is the least popular major UK party leader with a net approval rating of minus 28. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Splits have emerged between traditional members who worry the Greens are moving away from their environmental message and newer Left-wing recruits who joined under Mr Polanski. Voters on the Left have also been returning to Labour under Mr Burnham. Mr Polanski will now face growing questions over his future as Green Party leader after this humiliating by-election defeat. Labour Party Green Party By-election Zack Polanski Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments