Holborn and St Pancras by-election LIVE: Polls open as Polanski battles Labour in crunch London vote

Polls have opened in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election to replace Sir Keir Starmer in the north London seat. Labour has held the seat since 1983, with the former prime minister representing it from May 2015 until he dramatically quit last month after being ousted from Downing Street by Andy Burnham. Mr Polanski claims the contest is “close”, while Labour’s candidate, Sagal Abdi-Wali, tells voters: “I know there is lots to do, but I’m determined to deliver for you, and ask for your backing today”. There are 15 contenders in total, with all of the mainstream political parties running.Independent and smaller parties, including the Climate Party and the Communist League, are also fielding candidates.Scroll down for the latest updates...Meet the candidatesThe contest to replace former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has evolved into a closely watched battle between Labour and the Green Party, with Camden Council leader Sagal Abdi-Wali seeking to hold the seat for Labour against a challenge from Green leader Zack Polanski.Zack Polanski and the Green Party have thrown significant resources into the campaign, in the hope of the party leader becoming the Greens' sixth MP and securing a major political breakthrough in London.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. You can read about all the candidates standing in the election here: Prime Minister weighs in The Prime Minister has issued a last minute appeal to voters as Zack Polanski claimed the north London contest is "close".“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," Andy Burnham says.“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.”Mr Polanski says: "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." Andy Burnham and Sagal Abdi-Wali, Labour’s candidate for Holborn and St PancrasLabourGreen Party leader Zack Polanski delivers his speech during the Green Party autumn conference, at the Brighton CentrePAPolls open in crucial by-electionPolls have opened in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.Voters have from 7am until 10pm to cast their ballot. Who is standing in today's by-election?Here are 15 candidates standing in today’s by-election.Sagal Abdi-Wali - Labour PartyBarmy Brunch - Official Monster Raving Loony PartyEwan Cameron - The Conservative PartyTom Darwood - IndependentClare Fischer - Climate PartyGeorge Galloway - Workers PartyTyler Kurtis Johnson - Restore BritainBriony Anne Lonbay Kapoor - Rejoin EUKetankumar Pipaliya - UK VOICE safer and stronger UKZack Polanski - The Green PartyJonathan Silberman - Communist LeagueHelen Spiby-Vann - Christian Peoples AlliancePatrick Thomas Stillman - Liberal DemocratsBen Walker - UKIP - NO to Illegal ImmigrationWelcome to our live coverage!Good morning and welcome to our coverage of the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.We’ll be following the election today as voters go to the polls in the north London constituency to decide who will replace Sir Keir Starmer as their MP.We’ll also be covering the result that will come through in the early hours of Friday, and all the reaction afterwards in a key election test, particularly for Labour and the Greens.