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Zack Polanski seeks to stand for by-election in former PM Starmer's seat
Confirmed
In Short: Zack Polanski, the Green Party leader, has announced his intention to contest the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, aiming to succeed Keir Starmer as the constituency's MP.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski has announced his bid to become the Member of Parliament (MP) for Holborn and St Pancras, a seat previously held by former prime minister Keir Starmer. Polanski, currently a London Assembly member, expressed excitement about the opportunity to represent the Greens in the central London contest, which he sees as a challenge to Labour's dominance in the area.
Starmer announced his resignation as MP for the constituency just two months after stepping down as prime minister. The by-election is expected to be a tough contest, with the Green Party anticipated to pose a significant challenge to Labour, which won the seat with a majority of 11,572 in the 2024 general election.
Polanski, who took over the Green Party leadership last year, hopes to capitalize on the seat's history of left-wing support and the growing influence of the Green Party. He told the Camden New Journal that the constituency has 'been held back by governments who have failed to make the changes to improve people’s lives.
What's confirmed
- Labour won the London seat with a majority, of 11,572 at the 2024 general election.
What's still developing
- Polanski, who is currently a London Assembly member but not a member of Parliament, said he was "so excited by the prospect" of being the first Green MP of Holborn and St Pancras.
- Sir Keir announced on Tuesday that he was quitting as MP for the London constituency, two months after he stood down as prime minister, setting up a challenging by-election for his successor Andy Burnham.
- The former prime minister had previously said he would stay on as an MP until the next UK general election, which is not due until 2029.
- Sir Keir became prime minister after winning a landslide majority at the 2024 election, but quit No 10 after pressure from Labour MPs to stand aside.
- Green Party leader Zack Polanski announced on Thursday that he intends to contest the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, seeking to succeed Keir Starmer as the constituency’s MP.
- Polanski, who took over the left-wing party last year, told the Camden New Journal he hopes to represent the Greens in the central London contest — a shot across Labour’s bows in what has previously been considered a…
- Starmer held the Holborn and St Pancras seat in 2024 with an 11,572 majority, but faced a strong challenge from a left-wing independent and the Greens.
- Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis Zack Polanski has announced his bid to become MP for Holborn and St Pancras.