Counting has started for the Holborn and St Pancras by-election following Sir Keir Starmer's resignation from Parliament. Labour candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali is leading early counts at Camden Council headquarters, while Green Party leader Zack Polanski faces pressure to win or potentially lose his leadership position due to recent party controversies. Turnout was 38.76%, significantly lower than the previous general election turnout of 54.46%.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-09,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In the Holborn and St Pancras by-election on Thursday, Sagal Abdi-Wali of Labour faces Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party, in a closely watched contest to replace former Prime Minister Keir Starmer as MP. The election has gained national significance due to recent events: the Green Party’s annual conference passed a controversial motion declaring Zionism to be racism and calling for a single Palestinian state, causing divisions within the party and criticism from political opponents. Abdi-Wali cites this controversy as undermining her opponent's campaign, while Polanski maintains that he will not exclude anyone based on their religious or communal background. The contest is seen as a critical test for both parties' leaderships; Labour has historically dominated the seat since 1983, with Green Party membership surging and gaining over 440 councillors in recent local elections. Prime Minister Andy Burnham urged voters to support Abdi-Wali, emphasizing her potential to restore faith in Labour after its decline among left-wing voters during the Gaza war. Meanwhile, Polanski seeks a historic victory for his party by breaking Labour's long-standing hold on the constituency. The outcome could significantly impact the political landscape ahead of future elections.
Written for “Holborn And St Pancras By Election” on 2026-10-09,
grounded in this article and the 23 other(s) covering the same event.
Counting has begun in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election to replace Sir Keir Starmer, as Zack Polanski could face a threat to his leadership of the Green Party if he does not win, a former leader has indicated.
uncertain
leader → begin → Party
Labour candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali appears to be ahead in the early stages of tallying the votes, as she faces competition from Mr Polanski.
asserted
she → appear → Polanski
According to Labour and Liberal Democrat activists and councillors at the count at Camden Council’s headquarters in north London, the Green Party has lost support in recent days over members backing a motion declaring Zionism is racism at its conference.
uncertain
Zionism → accord → conference
The north London seat has been a Labour stronghold since its formation in 1983, held by Frank Dobson for 32 years and Sir Keir for 11.
Turnout was announced as 38.76%, with 27,309 people casting votes on Thursday.
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people → hold → Thursday
This is a significant drop in turnout compared to the 2024 general election, when it was 54.46%.
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it → compare → election
Mr Polanski could come under pressure from inside the party in the coming weeks if he does not become the Green’s first London MP.
uncertain
he → come → weeks
As polls closed on Thursday, a spokesperson for the Green Party said: “Whatever the result later, we’ve run a positive campaign full of energy in what is one of Labour’s safest seats.
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what → close → seats
To be the main challenger shows how far the Greens have come.”
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Greens → show → ?
The party also pointed to the potential for the Greens to get their highest-ever vote share in a London constituency in general elections or byelections.
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Greens → point → elections
In an interview on Thursday night, Ms Lucas refused to say Mr Polanski should stay.
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Polanski → refuse → night
She said she disagreed with him not voting on the anti-Zionism motion.
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him → say → motion
She said: “Should he stand down?
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he → say → ?
I think let’s just see what happens in the next, in the coming days and weeks.
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what → think → days
“I mean, obviously he has been completely taken up with this by-election.
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he → mean → election
“I want him to speak now about what’s happened.
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what → want → ?
I want to show the leadership that was frankly missing on Sunday.
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that → want → Sunday
“I think the jury is out about whether or not he will do that, but I very much hope he will.”
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he → think → that
A Green Party source said: “There are ups and downs in politics and when people are passionate they disagree in the heat of a campaign.
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they → say → campaign
We do things differently – unlike Labour who use anonymous sources and resort to factionalism.”
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who → do → factionalism
A separate Green Party source said: “We had over 1000 activists on the ground today.
“
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We → say → ground
Zack has shown he has energised this party and will continue to do so.
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he → show → party
He not only is putting key issues that voters care about on the agenda but he is making a Labour government shift position as well.
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he → put → position
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“Labour have spent this whole election running scared of Greens.
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Labour → read → Greens
Former prime minister Sir Keir won the Holborn and St Pancras seat in 2024 with 48.9% of the vote (18,884 votes), with independent Andrew Feinstein as runner-up on 18.9% (7,312 votes) and the Greens in third with 10.4% of the vote (4,030 votes).
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Keir → win → vote
The by-election could be a defining moment for Mr Polanski’s leadership, after the party enjoyed record-breaking results in the May 2026 local elections, adding more than 440 councillors and gaining control of five councils.
uncertain
party → enjoy → councils
Deputy leader of the Labour Party Lucy Powell said: “Our brilliant candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali and our fantastic Labour team have been telling our Labour story of hope.
“Sagal came to Britain as a child refugee, fleeing a war-torn country.
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Sagal → say → country
Educated in great Labour Camden schools, she’s been giving back to her local community ever since.
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she → educate → community
“Sagal has campaigned positively on her plans to move Camden forwards, by ending rough sleeping, taking on vested interests in the water industry, and ensuring every young person has the opportunity they need to thrive.
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they → campaign → opportunity
“If the voters of Holborn and St Pancras put their trust in Labour, I know that Sagal will work hard every day to make life better for each and every person across the constituency.”
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life → put → constituency
The Aporia
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