Polls close in by-election to replace Keir Starmer as Holborn and St Pancras MP

The north London seat has been a Labour stronghold since its formation in 1983, held by Frank Dobson for 32 years and Sir Keir for 11.However, Green Party leader Zack Polanski is hoping to break Labour’s clean sheet and secure his own seat in the House of Commons.The by-election comes in a difficult week for Mr Polanski’s party, after a controversial motion was passed at the Green Party conference asserting that “Zionism is racism”.Mr Polanski, who abstained on the vote, later said that he will “not accept any exclusion, or refusal to engage with anyone, because of the religious or communal body they are part of”.Labour’s candidate in the by-election is Camden Council leader Sagal Abdi-Wali, who is the bookies’ favourite to win.There are 13 other candidates competing in the by-election, including the Conservatives’ Ewan Cameron, Reform UK’s Peter Newman and the Liberal Democrats’ Patrick Thomas Stillman.George Galloway of the Workers Party of Britain is also running, despite living overseas in what he describes as “self-exile”.The by-election could be a defining moment for Mr Polanski’s leadership, after the party enjoyed record-breaking results in the May 2026 local elections, adding more than 440 councillors and gaining control of five councils.Green Party leader Zack Polanski (Will Colebourne/PA)PA WireAhead of the polls opening on Thursday, the Green Party leader had said “the election is looking close”.As they closed, a Green Party spokesperson said: “Zack would like to thank the thousands of volunteers who helped him in this campaign and the warm reception he received throughout the campaign from the people of Holborn and St Pancras.“He would also like to pay tribute to Sagal, for a respectful campaign and for rising above the appalling racism she has had to endure. Despite our political differences, we stand in solidarity with you.Read More“Whatever the result later, we’ve run a positive campaign full of energy in what is one of Labour’s safest seats. To be the main challenger shows how far the Greens have come.“We know that many want to give the new Prime Minister a chance and for the Greens to keep them on a progressive track, on issues like rent controls, water nationalisation and the climate crisis.“Whether we win or lose this evening, keeping the pressure on the Labour Government to deliver on these priorities will be our focus.”Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Labour’s Ms Abdi-Wali would make “a brilliant local MP”.Sagal Abdi-Wali, Labour candidate for the Holborn and St Pancras by-election (Jeff Moore/PA credit)PA WireDeputy leader of the Labour Party Lucy Powell said: “Our brilliant candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali and our fantastic Labour team have been telling our Labour story of hope.“Sagal came to Britain as a child refugee, fleeing a war-torn country. Educated in great Labour Camden schools, she’s been giving back to her local community ever since.“Sagal has campaigned positively on her plans to move Camden forwards, by ending rough sleeping, taking on vested interests in the water industry, and ensuring every young person has the opportunity they need to thrive.“If the voters of Holborn and St Pancras put their trust in Labour, I know that Sagal will work hard every day to make life better for each and every person across the constituency.”Former prime minister Sir Keir won the Holborn and St Pancras seat in 2024 with 48.9% of the vote (18,884 votes), with independent Andrew Feinstein as runner-up on 18.9% (7,312 votes) and the Greens in third with 10.4% of the vote (4,030 votes).A Conservative Party spokesman said: “The Greens and Labour have tried to make this by-election about the Middle East and drive our communities apart. The Greens especially have descended into the sectarian gutter with their contemptible antisemitic conference motion.“Instead, Ewan Cameron has run a relentlessly positive campaign focused on the issues that really matter to voters in Holborn and St Pancras: crime, housing and the cost of living.“If Zack Polanski fails to win this by-election, it will surely be curtains for his leadership of the party. We hope it also marks the end of the Green Party’s sorry embrace of antisemitism.”