Labour has named Sagal Abdi-Wali as its candidate to contest the by-election in Keir Starmer's former constituency of Holborn and St Pancras.
The leader of Camden Council since May 2026, Ms Abdi-Wali was selected by Labour’s National Executive Committee on Wednesday evening, paving the way for a potential clash with Green Party leader Zack Polanski.
Starmer's resignation and by-election date
Mr Starmer revealed his plans to quit Parliament earlier this month, having previously vowed to stay on. He said he felt it was the “right time” to step down and focus on new work on international affairs. The by-election to replace the former prime minister will take place on October 8.
Abdi-Wali's response
Speaking after being selected, Ms Abdi-Wali said: "I am delighted that local members have put their trust in me to be Labour’s candidate in the area I’ve grown up in.
“This place welcomed my family as refugees and gave us hope when we needed it most. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to build a life here, serving our community as a councillor, school governor, and community activist. Now I am standing to say thank you and to give back the hope you gave me.
“Throughout this campaign, I promise to put our communities at the heart of everything I do, now and for the future. Together, we can make hope win.”
Political backdrop and Green Party contest
The contest poses a headache for the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who helped Labour defeat the Greens in both the Makerfield by-election and the Greater Manchester Mayoral race.
Labour has won the inner London constituency since it was created in 1983, winning at least 40% of the vote at every election. But it faces a tough battle to hold the seat against the Greens and local independents.
However, the Green Party selection battle has seen Mr Polanski criticised by his rival, local councillor Hamza Chowdhury. Mr Chowdhury said Holborn and St Pancras did not need “another MP who arrives during an election campaign” then “disappears once the votes are counted”.
Asked if he was disappointed to be facing a rival, Mr Polanski said on Wednesday: “I’m really proud that I lead a party that has genuine democratic selections, and I think that’s alien to almost any of the other parties. So, it doesn’t surprise me when some of the coverage talks about some sort of coup or some sort of battle.
“Actually, what’s happening is very simple – it’s a democratic, open selection, and I’m really looking forward to the hustings, the debate and inevitably the vote and hopefully the campaign.”
At the local elections in May, the Greens won 11 council seats in the area, seven of which were in the part of the borough covered by the constituency of Holborn and St Pancras.
