Sagal Abdi-Wali, the Labour candidate for the Holborn and St Pancras by-election scheduled for 8 October, is competing against Green Party leader Zack Polanski following former Prime Minister Keir Starmer's decision to step down from the seat. The contest is significant as the Green Party has made substantial gains in recent months, winning councils and mayoral positions, making this a crucial test for Labour to retain the London constituency.

Abdi-Wali, who arrived in the UK as a refugee from Somalia aged six, has built her campaign around deep local roots and visible community presence, contrasting herself with Polanski, who does not live in the area. The Greens demonstrated strong momentum in May's local elections by winning councils in Hackney, Waltham Forest, Norwich and Hastings, whilst Abdi-Wali herself won her ward by only 60 votes against the Green candidate, underscoring the competitive nature of the race.