The Contestants
On Thursday 6 October 2026 residents of Holborn and St Pancras will choose between Labour’s Sagal Abdi‑Wali and the Green Party’s Zack Polanski. Abdi‑Wali, a Camden council leader who arrived in the UK as a child refugee from Somalia at six, has told reporters she does not feel she is facing any particular opponent. Polanski, the Green Party leader, hopes to repeat his party’s recent success in securing control of three London boroughs and views the contest as a gauge of whether the Green wave can turn a traditionally Labour seat green. The race is also being watched as a possible indicator for Prime Minister Andy Burnham, with some suggesting the outcome could influence his decision on calling an early general election.
Voter Sentiments
Andrea Goddard, a 72‑year‑old retired paediatrician, said she had previously backed the Greens in local elections but now plans to vote Labour because she considers Polanski an “ineligible” candidate. She criticised the Greens’ recent policy equating Zionism with racism, calling it a step too far even though she acknowledges the situation in Gaza is appalling.
Uma Bhardwaj, a former Labour supporter, declared she will vote “anti‑Starmer” by backing Polanski. She expressed disgust with Keir Starmer’s handling of Gaza, arguing his failure to hold Israel to account has worsened the crisis, and described Polanski as a challenging figure willing to speak his mind.
Sasha Ellis, a 31‑year‑old fashion designer, said she feels let down by Labour but has not yet decided where to place her vote, noting that Polanski could be an option if she concludes Labour is “not so good at the minute”.
Fariba Soetan, a 47‑year‑old policy manager, remains torn but leans toward Labour, praising Abdi‑Wali’s track record in Camden and describing Burnham as making “good decisions in parliament”. She views Polanski as a “little bit of a maverick” whose priorities might lie more with national Green politics than local concerns.
Rob Wheeler, a 61‑year‑old producer who attended university with Sir Keir Starmer, said he will vote for Abdi‑Wali because of her passion for the area, though he admits he still admires the Green Party’s environmental stance and dreams of a future merger that would push Labour toward stronger ecological policies.
Jay Patel, a 60‑year‑old lifelong Camden resident who has backed both parties in the past, confirmed his support for Abdi‑Wali, crediting Burnham with having “done good for people” and condemning the attacks on Gaza.
The Gaza Debate
Gaza has emerged as a central theme in the campaign. Green activists have distributed leaflets accusing Labour councillors of lacking solidarity with Palestinians, while the Greens’ recent vote to adopt a policy that labels Zionism as racism has sparked sharp reactions. Goddard criticised the policy as going beyond legitimate criticism of Israel, whereas Bhardwaj sees it as a necessary stance against what she views as State‑sponsored violence. The exchange has highlighted how foreign‑policy issues are influencing local voting behaviour in this inner‑London constituency.
Outlook
Labour has held the Holborn and St Pancras seat continuously since its creation in 1983, but the party’s recent loss of seats across London in the May local elections has turned this by‑election into a closely fought battle. A Green victory would signal a significant shift in voter allegiance and could embolden the party to target other traditionally Labour strongholds. Conversely, a Labour win would reinforce Burnham’s leadership and suggest that, despite national discontent, the party’s local appeal remains resilient.
Why it Matters
The result will serve as a barometer for both the governing Labour administration and the rising Green movement, offering clues about how voters balance domestic concerns with international controversies such as the Gaza conflict. It may also shape strategic decisions about the timing of a future general election, making the outcome far more than a simple local contest.