Voters in Holborn and St Pancras are going to the polls in one of the most hotly contested by-elections in recent times, with Labour's Sagal Abdi-Wali and Green Party leader Zack Polanski the main contenders.
The battle to replace former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has evolved into a closely watched contest between Labour and the Green Party. Camden Council leader Sagal Abdi-Wali is seeking to hold the seat for Labour against a challenge from Green leader Zack Polanski.
While Labour remains favourite to retain the constituency, Mr Polanski has thrown significant resources into the campaign in the hope of becoming the Greens' sixth MP and securing a major political breakthrough in London.
Race for the seat
The race has received added attention in recent days after the Green Party's conference voted to adopt a controversial motion declaring Zionism a form of racism, prompting renewed scrutiny of Mr Polanski's leadership and campaign.
Former Labour MP George Galloway is also on the ballot, alongside candidates from Reform UK, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.
A total of 15 candidates are standing in the contest, which was triggered after Sir Keir stepped down from the constituency seat he has represented since May 2015.
Candidate profiles
Sagal Abdi-Wali - Labour
Leader of Camden Council Sagal Abdi-Wali has been chosen as Labour's candidate. She pipped more than 100 candidates to the post to become Labour's frontrunner in a selection meeting earlier this month. Cllr Abdi-Wali first came to Britain as a child refugee in the early 1990s after fleeing civil war in Somalia. Since then, she has lived in Camden. She was elected as a Labour councillor for the Camden Square ward in 2022, after serving as the Cabinet Member for Better Homes - a role which saw her manage the borough's housing and neighbourhood development. Cllr Abdi-Wali has also been credited with helping to achieve Camden's status as a “Borough of Sanctuary” in 2024.
Outside of politics, Cllr Abdi-Wali is a volunteer and a trustee for local charities. She is also the governor for two local schools, according to the Labour Party. Her views have been largely shaped by her background as a Somalian refugee and she has prioritised housing and homelessness in her role at Camden Council. She has also been vocal about her pro-EU views.
Before her selection, Reform's home affairs spokesman Mr Yusuf posted on X that the Labour frontrunner “was born in Somalia”, adding: “Do you understand what’s happening?” The comments drew criticism from across the political spectrum, including from other Reform members.
Asked about the comments, Cllr Abdi-Wali told the Standard: “I think it's quite sad. It didn't personally affect me. But I do think about how it might affect young people who might be interested in getting into politics or community work and seeing that kind of negativity and that rhetoric and walking away.
