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Evening Standard
· collected 2026-10-08 · by Rachael Burford,Niva Yadav,Nicolas Cecil and Tom Place
Polls have opened in Holborn and St Pancras for a by-election to replace former MP Sir Keir Starmer. With 15 candidates running, including representatives from major parties like Labour and the Conservatives as well as smaller groups such as the Climate Party and Communist League, the race is tight according to Green Party candidate Zack Polanski. Labour’s Sagal Abdi-Wali emphasizes her commitment to the community, particularly highlighting her background as a refugee who found support in Camden. Voting will take place from 7am until 10pm local time.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-08,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Labour candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali is running against Green Party leader Zack Polanski in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election to replace Sir Keir Starmer. The North London constituency has been a Labour stronghold since 1983, held continuously until recently when Sir Keir Starmer stepped down. Polls opened on Thursday with 15 contenders including representatives from smaller parties like Reform UK and the Communist League.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham issued an appeal to voters, emphasizing the importance of voting for Abdi-Wali to maintain a Labour presence in the area. Polanski claims the contest is "close" but faces controversy after abstaining on a Green Party conference motion asserting that “Zionism is racism”. Despite this setback, Polanski continues to campaign, urging voters to choose the Greens as a way to push Labour towards better policies on issues like rent controls and public ownership of Thames Water.
The by-election could be a defining moment for Polanski’s leadership of the Green Party, which has seen significant growth in membership and local election results in May 2026. However, recent events have posed challenges for his campaign. The Labour party remains strong with Abdi-Wali's background as a refugee who has dedicated herself to her community since arriving in Camden in the 1990s. Voters will decide whether to maintain Labour’s longstanding control or support Polanski and the Green Party’s push for change.
Written for “Holborn And St Pancras By Election” on 2026-10-08,
grounded in this article and the 9 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The model judged this article politically coded and scored it -0.35, but all 1 of its quote(s) are attributed speech - words the article quotes from someone, not the article's own narration, so the score is not published.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.
Leaning score withheld for article 64866: attributed speech only · logged 2026-10-08
Polls have opened in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election to replace Sir Keir Starmer in the north London seat.
asserted
Polls → open → seat
Mr Polanski claims the contest is “close”, while Labour’s candidate, Sagal Abdi-Wali, tells voters: “I know there is lots to do, but I’m determined to deliver for you, and ask for your backing today”.
uncertain
I → claim → backing
There are 15 contenders in total, with all of the mainstream political parties running.
asserted
all → be → parties
Independent and smaller parties, including the Climate Party and the Communist League, are also fielding candidates.
asserted
parties → include → candidates
Prime Minister weighs in
The Prime Minister has issued a last minute appeal to voters as Zack Polanski claimed the north London contest is "close".
“Today, hope can win.
asserted
hope → weigh → voters
But only if you vote for it.
asserted
you → vote → it
I have no doubt that Sagal Abdi-Wali will make a brilliant local MP for Holborn and St. Pancras," Andy Burnham says.
asserted
Burnham → have → Holborn
“This area gave Sagal a home when she arrived here as a refugee in the 1990s.
asserted
she → give → 1990s
Camden gave Sagal and her family hope.
asserted
Camden → give → hope
Now she wants to give that back to the communities that have always been there for her.
asserted
that → want → her
It’s hard to think of someone more committed to their local area and the care of people than Sagal.”
asserted
It → ’ → Sagal
Mr Polanski says: "The election is looking close today.
asserted
election → say → ?
We already have a Labour government, a Labour council and a Labour Mayor.
asserted
We → have → government
Isn't it time for a Green voice for Camden to push Labour to do better on issues like rent controls and to put Thames Water into public ownership - issues where they've been backtracking?
asserted
they → push → ownership
“On the climate crisis, today is the day to say clearly to Labour, "no new drilling in the North Sea" - a decision they chose to delay until after the by-election result.
asserted
they → say → result
That makes your vote powerful.
asserted
vote → make → ?
"
Polls open in crucial by-election
Polls have opened in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.
asserted
Polls → open → election
Voters have from 7am until 10pm to cast their ballot.
asserted
Voters → have → ballot
Who is standing in today's by-election?
asserted
Who → stand → election
Here are 15 candidates standing in today’s by-election.
asserted
candidates → stand → election
They are:
Sagal Abdi-Wali - Labour Party
Barmy Brunch - Official Monster Raving Loony Party
Ewan Cameron - The Conservative Party
Tom Darwood - Independent
Clare Fischer - Climate Party
George Galloway - Workers Party
Tyler Kurtis Johnson - Restore Britain
asserted
They → rave → ?
Briony Anne Lonbay Kapoor - Rejoin EU
Peter Newman - Reform UK
Ketankumar Pipaliya - UK VOICE safer and stronger UK
Zack Polanski - The Green Party
Jonathan Silberman - Communist League
Helen Spiby-Vann - Christian Peoples Alliance
Patrick Thomas Stillman - Liberal Democrats
Ben Walker - UKIP - NO to Illegal Immigration
Welcome to our live coverage!
asserted
Polanski → rejoin → coverage
We’ll be following the election today as voters go to the polls in the north London constituency to decide who will replace Sir Keir Starmer as their MP.
asserted
who → follow → MP
We’ll also be covering the result that will come through in the early hours of Friday, and all the reaction afterwards in a key election test, particularly for Labour and the Greens.
asserted
that → cover → Labour
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