Holborn and St Pancras by-election LIVE: Zack Polanski crisis as Greens face defeat

Holborn and St Pancras by-election LIVE: Zack Polanski crisis as Greens face defeat Polls have now closed in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election - follow live Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments live By Katie Harris , Senior Political Correspondent 00:48, Fri, Oct 9, 2026 Updated: 01:24, Fri, Oct 9, 2026 Green Party leader Zack Polanski is standing in the by-election (Image: Getty) Polls have now closed in the battle to replace Sir Keir Starmer in the crunch Holborn and St Pancras by-election. Green Party leader Zack Polanski is running in the contest for the north London constituency, which is a Labour stronghold. Labour’s candidate, Camden Council leader Sagal Abdi-Wali, is the bookies’ favourite to win. It has been a difficult week for Mr Polanski after the Green Party passed a controversial motion at its conference in Brighton asserting that “Zionism is racism”. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Mr Polanski, who abstained on the vote, later said that he will “not accept any exclusion, or refusal to engage with anyone, because of the religious or communal body they are part of”. 45 mins ago 00:48 Katie Harris By-election turnout below 40% The turnout in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election is 38.76%, Camden Council has said, with 27,309 ballots cast. This is down on the 54.46% turnout in the 2024 general election. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT 51 mins ago 00:42 Katie Harris Official Monster Raving Loony Party candidate arrives Barmy Bunch of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party has arrived at the Holborn and St Pancras by-election count. 2 hours ago 00:01 Katie Harris What was the result in Holborn and St Pancras at the last general election? Sir Keir Starmer won the Holborn and St Pancras seat in 2024 with 48.9% of the vote (18,884 votes). Independent Andrew Feinstein was runner-up on 18.9% (7,312 votes) and the Greens in third with 10.4% of the vote (4,030 votes). The north London seat has been a Labour stronghold since its formation in 1983, held by Frank Dobson for 32 years and Sir Keir for 11. 2 hours ago 23:27 Katie Harris Counting continues The ballots are being counted at Camden Council's offices with the results expected in the early hours of Friday morning. (Image: Getty) (Image: Getty) 2 hours ago 23:07 Katie Harris Who is running in the by-election? There are 15 candidates in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election including Green Party leader Zack Polanski and Labour’s Sagal Abdi-Wali, who is the leader of Camden Council. Other candidates include the Conservatives ’ Ewan Cameron, Reform UK’s Peter Newman and Lib Dem Patrick Thomas Stillman. Also running is George Galloway of the Workers Party of Britain, despite living overseas in what he describes as “self-exile”. 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 . 3 hours ago 22:37 Katie Harris Greens say they have run ‘positive campaign’ As polls closed, a Green Party spokesperson said: “Zack would like to thank the thousands of volunteers who helped him in this campaign and the warm reception he received throughout the campaign from the people of Holborn and St Pancras. “He would also like to pay tribute to Sagal, for a respectful campaign and for rising above the appalling racism she has had to endure. Despite our political differences, we stand in solidarity with you. “Whatever the result later, we’ve run a positive campaign full of energy in what is one of Labour’s safest seats. To be the main challenger shows how far the Greens have come. “We know that many want to give the new Prime Minister a chance and for the Greens to keep them on a progressive track, on issues like rent controls, water nationalisation and the climate crisis. “Whether we win or lose this evening, keeping the pressure on the Labour Government to deliver on these priorities will be our focus.” 3 hours ago 22:34 Katie Harris What triggered the by-election? The Holborn and St Pancras by-election was sparked by Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation as an MP. Sir Keir announced last month that he was standing down to focus on a role in international affairs. It came after he was replaced in 10 Downing Street by Andy Burnham in July. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT 3 hours ago 22:17 Katie Harris Tories blast Greens and Labour The Conservatives hit out at the Green Party and Labour, saying the two parties "have tried to make this by-election about the Middle East and drive our communities apart". A party spokesman added: "The Greens especially have descended into the sectarian gutter with their contemptible antisemitic Conference motion. “Instead, Ewan Cameron has run a relentlessly positive campaign focused on the issues that really matter to voters in Holborn and St Pancras: crime, housing and the cost of living . “If Zack Polanski fails to win this by-election, it will surely be curtains for his leadership of the party. We hope it also marks the end of the Green Party’s sorry embrace of antisemitism.” 3 hours ago 22:03 Katie Harris Labour praises 'story of hope' Reacting as polls closed, deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell said: “Our brilliant candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali and our fantastic Labour team have been telling our Labour story of hope. “Sagal came to Britain as a child refugee, fleeing a war-torn country. Educated in great Labour Camden schools, she’s been giving back to her local community ever since. “Sagal has campaigned positively on her plans to move Camden forwards, by ending rough sleeping, taking on vested interests in the water industry, and ensuring every young person has the opportunity they need to thrive. “If the voters of Holborn and St Pancras put their trust in Labour, I know that Sagal will work hard every day to make life better for each and every person across the constituency.” 4 hours ago 22:01 Katie Harris Polls close It's 10pm and polls have closed in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election. Counting will now take place and the result is expected between 2.30am and 4am. (Image: Getty) 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