Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Zack Polanski’s Urdu Campaign Video Goes Viral Before By-Election
Zack Polanski is running for Parliament in a by-election in Holborn and St Pancras.
The vote will happen on October 8.
He made a campaign video in Urdu, a language spoken by many people in South Asian and Muslim communities.
In the video, he asks people to vote for the Green Party.
He has also used Bengali in earlier campaign materials.
Some people say his campaign style is similar to New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s.
Both campaigns use social media and personal stories to reach voters.
Critics say this kind of politics could encourage divisive identity or sectarian voting.
The election is being watched as a test for the Labour Party.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski released an Urdu campaign video ahead of the October 8 by-election.
Polanski introduces himself in Urdu and urges voters to support the Green Party.
He previously used Bengali in political advertising aimed at South Asian and Muslim communities.
The Holborn and St Pancras contest follows former prime minister Keir Starmer’s decision to leave the seat.
Polanski’s campaign style has been compared with New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s social-media-focused approach.
- Who
- Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, is contesting the seat; Zohran Mamdani is cited as a comparison.
- What
- Polanski released an Urdu campaign video urging voters to support the Green Party in a by-election.
- When
- The by-election is scheduled for October 8; Polanski has led the Green Party since September 2025.
- Where
- The contest is in the Holborn and St Pancras constituency.
- Why
- The video seeks to directly reach South Asian and Muslim communities and encourage support for Polanski’s campaign.
Campaigners’ outreach
Critics’ concerns
Use of Urdu and Bengali
Campaigners’ outreach
Polanski’s campaign uses Urdu and Bengali to directly reach South Asian and Muslim communities and make marginalised voters feel represented.
Critics’ concerns
Right-wing and centrist opponents accuse the approach of promoting divisive identity politics or encouraging sectarian voting lines.
Campaign style
Campaigners’ outreach
Supporters emphasize social media, storytelling, working-class voters, unions and tenants rather than staged political appearances.
Critics’ concerns
Critics object to the localized and identity-focused tactics, which the article says have faced significant pushback.
- Election date
- October 8
- Constituency
- Holborn and St Pancras
- Candidate
- Zack Polanski
- Party
- Green Party of England and Wales
- Campaign languages
- Urdu and Bengali
- Political comparison
- New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani
- Previous office
- Polanski has served as a member of the London Assembly since 2021.