Sagal Abdi-Wali, Labour's candidate for the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, has said she wants to give voters hope again, pledging to tackle housing and homelessness in Camden.
Abdi-Wali, who grew up in Camden after her family arrived as refugees in the 1990s, said the stability she was given allowed her to go to school and feel part of the community. She credited her mother for teaching her the importance of volunteering and contributing to the neighbourhood.
Housing record and ambitions
As a local councillor with responsibility for housing, Abdi-Wali said she secured £670 million to improve local housing, but acknowledged more is needed. She called for more homes through buying back council homes and building affordable, family-sized housing in Camden.
She highlighted new homes at the Godwin & Crowndale Estate, where she recently took Housing Secretary Angela Rayner to meet families. Abdi-Wali also called for Thames Water to be taken into public ownership, citing water supply as a crucial service.
Homelessness and youth opportunities
Abdi-Wali noted that more people are sleeping rough in Camden than in almost all other London boroughs, second only to Westminster. Over 1,200 households are in temporary accommodation, with thousands more waiting for stable housing.
She welcomed Prime Minister Andy Burnham's commitment to offer everyone sleeping rough a bed by Christmas and said she will support people to take up those offers. She also met young Londoners at New Horizons Youth Centre in St Pancras, where they are being supported with housing and job opportunities.
Priorities and call to vote
Abdi-Wali said her priorities include opportunities for young people, ending rough sleeping, making water bills more affordable, and ensuring safe, secure homes. She proposed 'The Camden Way' to bring schools, skills centres, employers and universities together for clear routes into local jobs.
The by-election was triggered by the resignation of former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The vote is scheduled for Thursday, October 8.
