Labour picks Somali refugee to fight by-election for Starmer’s old seat… as Zack Polanski faces struggle to be Green hopeful
Labour has selected Camden Council leader Sagal Abdi-Wali, who arrived in the UK as a child refugee from Somalia in the 1990s, as its candidate for the by-election in Sir Keir Starmer's former seat of Holborn and St Pancras, to be held on 8 October. The contest follows Starmer's announcement that he is standing down as an MP after being ousted as prime minister by Andy Burnham, and it matters because Labour faces a genuine fight to retain a seat it has held since 1983, with the Greens seen as the strongest challengers.
Abdi-Wali, who has led Camden Council since May, said she wanted to "give back the hope" the constituency gave her family. The Greens are yet to confirm their candidate, with leader Zack Polanski facing competition from local councillor Hamza Chowdhury, who criticised "famous" candidates being parachuted into seats; Polanski dismissed the jibe, saying he knows the area well. At the 2024 general election Starmer won with 48.9% of the vote, ahead of independent Andrew Feinstein (18.9%) and the Greens (10.4%), with the Conservatives, Reform and Liberal Democrats trailing further behind—results partly attributed to Labour voters protesting Starmer's stance on Gaza, while the Greens have since gained ground in local Camden elections.
In short
- Labour picks Somali-born refugee Sagal Abdi-Wali for Starmer's old seat
- By-election set for 8 October after Starmer quits as MP
- Greens, yet to pick candidate, seen as biggest threat to Labour
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Labour’s choice of Sagal Abdi-Wali could bring a locally experienced council leader to Parliament, with a personal connection to the constituency and its communities. Her supporters may argue that her record in Camden and commitment to giving back offer a strong case for representing the seat, while Labour’s long-standing local support gives her a credible chance of retaining it.
The case against
Green supporters may argue that Labour’s past dominance no longer guarantees voters feel represented, particularly amid discontent over its stance on Gaza and the Greens’ recent local gains. They may favour a candidate rooted in the area, such as Hamza Chowdhury, and see a locally chosen challenger as better placed to represent voters than a nationally prominent figure parachuted into the contest.
Explained simply
Holborn and St Pancras is a parliamentary constituency in north London. It has returned Labour MPs since 1983, and Sir Keir Starmer represented it before becoming prime minister; a by-election is held when an MP leaves office before a general election.
Labour has chosen Sagal Abdi-Wali, who leads Camden Council, to contest the seat. The Green Party has not yet settled on a candidate: its leader Zack Polanski is competing with local councillor Hamza Chowdhury for the nomination.
The contest matters because Labour may face a stronger challenge than in past elections. The Greens have gained support locally, while the 2024 result showed discontent among some Labour voters, including over the party’s position on Gaza.
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