Politics · United Kingdom · 2 days ago
Labour holds Starmer’s former London seat in by-election
Labour candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali won the by-election for the Holborn and St. Pancras seat in central London.
She received 12,292 votes, compared with 8,928 for Green Party leader Zack Polanski.
The seat became vacant after former Prime Minister Keir Starmer stood down as a lawmaker.
Andy Burnham became prime minister in July and is trying to rebuild Labour’s support among left-leaning voters in cities.
The Greens made major gains in London in May, but Labour has since recovered some support under Burnham.
The result is a setback for Polanski, whose party has also faced criticism over a motion about Zionism.
Polanski said he would remain Green Party leader, while voters have given Burnham a chance to show what he will do next.
Labour won the by-election for the Holborn and St. Pancras parliamentary seat vacated by former leader Keir Starmer.
Labour candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali received 12,292 votes, beating Green Party leader Zack Polanski, who received 8,928.
The result was seen as an early test for Prime Minister Andy Burnham as Labour seeks to rebuild support among left-leaning voters.
The Greens had made record gains in London in May, largely at Labour’s expense.
Polanski said he was disappointed by the result but would remain Green Party leader.
- Who
- Labour candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali won, defeating Green Party leader Zack Polanski.
- What
- Labour held the parliamentary seat in a by-election.
- When
- Friday, October 9, 2026.
- Where
- Holborn and St. Pancras, a central London constituency.
- Why
- The sources describe the result as an early test for Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Labour’s effort to regain support among left-leaning voters.
Labour
Green Party
Election result
Labour
Labour won the seat with 12,292 votes.
Green Party
The Greens lost, with Zack Polanski receiving 8,928 votes.
Support among left-leaning voters
Labour
Labour sought to shore up support among voters who had turned to the Greens.
Green Party
Polanski had aimed to draw support away from Labour and said the Greens would continue to grow.
Throughout our campaign, we chose hope, and the people of Holborn and St. Pancras chose it with us. And now it's time to deliver.
So many people told me on the doorstep that they want to give Andy Burnham a chance. Well, he's got a chance now. Let's see what he does with it.
Keir Starmer was replaced as Prime Minister, according to The Hindu.
Starmer stood down as a lawmaker.
Sagal Abdi-Wali won the by-election for Holborn and St. Pancras.
- Labour candidate
- Sagal Abdi-Wali
- Labour vote
- 12,292
- Green Party vote
- 8,928
- Constituency
- Holborn and St. Pancras, central London
- By-election date
- October 9, 2026
Sources
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