Polling stations opened this morning in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, a contest that will determine who succeeds former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer as MP for this north London constituency. But beyond the procedural mechanics of a by-election, this vote is a flashpoint for deeper questions about representation, migration, and the limits of institutional politics.
The seat has been held by Labour for 32 years, a stronghold that many took for granted. Yet this time, dozens of candidates are standing, and the Green Party is mounting a serious challenge to break that decades-long streak. Zack Polanski, the party's leader, is hoping to secure a seat in the House of Commons, a result that could redefine his leadership and the party's trajectory.
The Green Party has seen a surge in membership and record-breaking results in the May 2026 local elections, gaining more than 440 councillors and taking control of five councils. But the by-election falls on an intense week for the party, following a controversial motion passed at their Brighton conference asserting that Zionism is racism. Polanski, who abstained on the vote, later stated that he will
not accept any exclusion, or refusal to engage with anyone, because of the religious or communal body they are part of.
For Labour, the candidate is Sagal Abdi-Wali, a local council leader whose story embodies the complexities of migration and belonging. Abdi-Wali arrived in Camden as a refugee in the 1990s, and her candidacy is framed by supporters as a testament to the transformative power of community care. Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, offered an enthusiastic endorsement:
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.
Her campaign, however, operates within a Labour party that has faced sustained criticism from the left for its handling of migration policy, welfare, and its stance on Gaza. The by-election is thus not merely a local contest but a referendum on the party's direction under Starmer's successor.
Thirteen other candidates are standing, including 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. The diversity of the field reflects a fragmentation of the political landscape, with voters increasingly disillusioned by the traditional two-party system.
In 2024, Starmer won the seat with 48.9 per cent of the vote (18,884 votes), with independent Andrew Feinstein as runner-up on 18.9 per cent (7,312 votes) and the Greens in third with 10.4 per cent (4,030 votes). These numbers suggest a constituency that is not as securely Labour as the label stronghold implies.
The count will begin after polling stations close at 10pm on Thursday. Results for by-elections are typically announced in the early hours of the following morning; in 2024, the general election result in Holborn and St Pancras was declared at 4.15am. No exit poll is expected, as by-elections rarely warrant one.
What does this by-election reveal about the state of British politics?
This contest is a microcosm of the tensions running through contemporary British politics: the rise of the Green Party as a credible alternative, the internal fractures within Labour, and the growing appeal of candidates who position themselves outside the mainstream. For marginalised communities, the outcome will signal whether their concerns are being heard or merely co-opted.
Who are the key candidates and what do they represent?
Sagal Abdi-Wali represents a Labour party attempting to reconcile its centrist governance with its historical base. Zack Polanski embodies a Green Party that is increasingly assertive but also grappling with internal controversies. George Galloway offers a populist, anti-establishment voice that resonates with some voters disillusioned by both major parties.
When will the result be announced?
Polling stations close at 10pm on Thursday, and the count will begin immediately after. Historically, the result in Holborn and St Pancras has been declared in the early hours of the following morning, typically around 4am.
As the night unfolds, the eyes of the political class will be on this constituency. But for those of us who understand that elections are not merely about seats but about power, this by-election is a reminder that change is never guaranteed. It must be organised for, fought for, and won.