By-election LIVE: Zack Polanski facing crunch vote as polls open in Holborn and St Pancras

By-election LIVE: Zack Polanski facing crunch vote as polls open in Holborn and St Pancras Polls have opened in the race to replace Keir Starmer as an MP. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments live By Steph Spyro , Deputy political editor and environment editor, Jonathan Walker , Whitehall Editor 07:48, Thu, Oct 8, 2026 Updated: 07:48, Thu, Oct 8, 2026 Zack Polanski (Image: Getty) Polls have opened in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, where Zack Polanski is fighting to replace Sir Keir Starmer as the MP for the north London constituency. The seat has been a Labour stronghold since its formation in 1983, held by Frank Dobson for 32 years and Sir Keir for 11. It could be a defining moment for Mr Polanski’s leadership of the party, which has seen a surge in membership and record-breaking results in the May 2026 local elections, gaining more than 440 councillors and gaining control of five councils. But 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”. THIS IS A LIVE BLOG. FOLLOW FOR UPDATES 2 hours ago 07:48 Steph Spyro Israel to close British consulate in East Jerusalem in retaliation for sanctions Let's temporarily move away from the by-election to bring you some other news. The UK has withdrawn staff and their families from its consulate in East Jerusalem “to ensure their safety” after Israel said it would be closed today in retaliation for the Government’s ban on trade with illegal West Bank settlements. But Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the building would not be closed and would instead be known as the UK Mission. Israel’s minister of foreign affairs Gideon Sa’ar said the consulate “is ending its activities today. Accordingly, the sign identifying the British consulate in Jerusalem has been removed”. The consulate “ceased its functions” with the consul general and 20 diplomats departing Israel, leaving just seven diplomats, he said. He added: “We did not want to reach this point, but the Labour Government’s actions brought us here.” Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT 2 hours ago 07:34 Steph Spyro There are 15 candidates running for the seat Aside from Labour and the Greens, there are 13 other candidates in the by-election. This includes the Conservatives ’ Ewan Cameron, Reform UK’s Peter Newman and the Liberal Democrats’ Patrick Thomas Stillman. Also running is George Galloway of the Workers Party of Britain, despite living overseas in what he describes as “self-exile”. Sir Keir won the Holborn and St Pancras seat in 2024 with 48.9% of the vote (18,884 votes), with independent Andrew Feinstein as runner-up on 18.9% (7,312 votes) and the Greens in third with 10.4% of the vote (4,030 votes). 2 hours ago 07:32 Steph Spyro Voters casting ballot in race to replace Keir Starmer Voters in Keir Starmer 's former constituency have begun going to the polls to vote for his replacement after he quit as an MP. Polls opened at 7am and will close at 10pm. The Express's reporter will then bring you the latest throughout the night. Kings Cross Brunswick Neighbourhood Association polling station (Image: PA) Kings Cross Brunswick Neighbourhood Association polling station (Image: PA) 2 hours ago 07:20 Steph Spyro Andy Burnham: Today hope can win Labour’s candidate in the by-election is Camden Council leader Sagal Abdi-Wali, who is the bookies’ favourite to win. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “Today, hope can win. But only if you vote for it. I have no doubt that Sagal Abdi-Wali will make a brilliant local MP for Holborn and St Pancras. “This area gave Sagal a home when she arrived here as a refugee in the 1990s. Camden gave Sagal and her family hope. Now she wants to give that back to the communities that have always been there for her. “It’s hard to think of someone more committed to their local area and the care of people than Sagal. “Sagal has a plan to take on vested interests in our water industry, to work with me to help end rough sleeping, and to make sure every young person has the opportunities they deserve to get on in life. “Sagal is bursting with energy and positivity. She’s given so much to Camden already, and I know she has so much more to give. For Camden, for hope, vote for Labour’s Sagal Abdi-Wali today.” Andy Burnham (Image: Getty) 2 hours ago 07:18 Steph Spyro Zack Polanski's final comments before polls opened Ahead of polls opening on Thursday, Green Party leader Zack Polanski said: “The election is looking close today. “We already have a Labour government, a Labour council and a Labour mayor. “Isn’t it time for a Green voice for Camden to push Labour to do better on issues like rent controls and to put Thames Water into public ownership – issues where they’ve been backtracking? “On the climate crisis, today is the day to say clearly to Labour, ‘no new drilling in the North Sea’ – a decision they chose to delay until after the by-election result. That makes your vote powerful. “A vote for the Greens today can show Labour the right direction. Make it happen today.” Zack Polanski (Image: Getty) 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 . 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