Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party, has expressed interest in running for Keir Starmer's old seat in the Holborn & St Pancras constituency. He stated that he "loves" the community and is "excited" by the prospect of representing it in Parliament. The key number mentioned in the article is 11,000, which was the majority margin held by Sir Keir in the 2024 election. The article takes an angle of speculating on a potential internal conflict within the Green Party over whether to endorse Polanski as their candidate, with some local members pushing for an independent candidate.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-03,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Zack Polanski, a candidate from the Green party, has confirmed he wants to run in the upcoming by-election for the Holborn & St Pancras seat, which was previously held by Keir Starmer. The seat is seen as an important test of the Labour party's strength, and the Greens believe they have a good chance of winning it. However, there may be opposition to Polanski's candidacy from within his own party, with some local Greens pushing for a different candidate who is British Palestinian or has pro-Gaza views. Polanski has been living and working in the community for many years and says he loves the area, which he believes represents "so many of the things that make London so special". He plans to run on a platform of standing up for people struggling to pay their bills. The by-election is an early test of Labour's popularity following leader Andy Burnham's recent success in polls.
Written for “Zack Polanski Election Bid” on 2026-09-03,
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Zack Polanski has confirmed he does want to be the Green candidate in the by-election for Keir Starmer's old seat.
The party leader said he was 'excited' by the prospect of representing Holborn & St Pancras in the Commons as he 'loves' the community.
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he → see → community
The announcement tees up a titanic battle with Labour, which is desperate to hold on to the seat as evidence of Andy Burnham's appeal to voters.
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which → tee → voters
However, there are rumours of a revolt among local Greens who are pushing to endorse a British Palestinian or pro-Gaza independent.
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who → be → independent
Zack Polanski has dropped a strong hint that he will stand in the Holborn & St Pancras contest, which the Greens believe they have a good chance of winning
Speaking to the Camden New Journal, Mr Polanski said: 'I have lived and worked in this community over many years, I know it well and I love it.
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I → drop → it
'It represents so many of the things that make London so special.
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London → represent → things
I am so excited by the prospect of representing this place in Parliament.'
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I → excite → Parliament
He added: 'Holborn and St Pancras has everything that's the best of our country and so much potential.
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that → add → country
But for too long now it's been held back by governments who have failed to make the changes to improve people's lives.
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who → hold → lives
'We know that the Greens can win here, and by electing me, voters will have someone who will always fight their corner – never scared of big donors or the party whip.
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who → know → donors
Too often Labour has stood up for corporations and big money.
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Labour → stand → corporations
I will stand up for people struggling to pay their bills.'
Sir Keir conducted yet another U-turn to announce his immediate departure from the Commons on Tuesday, despite pledging to see out the rest of the Parliament.
The move is a headache for Mr Burnham, presenting an early test of the poll 'bounce' the party has been enjoying.
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party → stand → bounce
Labour has held the inner London constituency continuously since it was created in 1983, winning at least 40 per cent of the vote at every election.
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it → hold → election
Sir Keir had a majority of 11,000 in 2024, but that was significantly down from the 27,763 margin he secured in 2019.
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he → have → 2019
He came under heavy fire over his approach to Palestine during the campaign.
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He → come → campaign
The constituency is within the local authority of Camden, where local elections took place earlier this year in May.
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elections → take → May
Labour retained control of the council, but won only 30 of the 55 seats up for grabs – down from 47 in 2022.
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Labour → retain → 2022
Sir Keir had an 11,000 majority in 2024, but that was significantly down from the 27,763 margin he secured in 2019
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he → secure → 2019
The Greens won 11 council seats, seven of which were in the part of the borough covered by the constituency of Holborn & St Pancras.
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seven → win → Holborn
The party has since lost one of these seats to Labour in a by-election.
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party → lose → election
The prospects for the Greens could be bolstered as independent candidate Andrew Feinstein, who racked up 18.9 per cent of votes in 2024, looks unlikely to stand.
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who → bolster → 2024
Labour is hoping to have a candidate in place by next Wednesday, with the contest potentially taking place as soon as October 1 or 8.
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contest → hop → October
New Labour big beast David Miliband had been touted for a comeback, but appears to have ruled the prospect out.
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beast → tout → prospect
Labour squabbling has erupted as the party machines gear up for battle.
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machines → erupt → battle
Tulip Siddiq, a close ally of the former PM and MP for a neighbouring constituency, complained about candidates from outside the area trying to parachute in.
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candidates → neighbour → area
Ms Siddiq posted on X: 'If I didn't see you campaigning even once during the local elections in Camden, it's probably best you don't message me asking for help to run in Holborn and St Pancras,' she wrote.
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she → post → Holborn
Keir Starmer conducted yet another U-turn on Tuesday to announce his immediate departure from the Commons, despite pledging to see out the rest of the Parliament
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Starmer → conduct → Parliament
