Labour and Greens face close contest in Starmer’s former seat

The Holborn and St Pancras by-election has become a closely watched contest between Labour and the Green Party, with Labour candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali widely tipped to hold the seat and Green leader Zack Polanski saying the race looked close. Voting was scheduled for Thursday, October 8, but the reports provided no result. The contest is the first electoral test for Prime Minister Andy Burnham since he replaced Keir Starmer, whose resignation left the north London constituency vacant. Labour has held the seat since it was created in 1983. Polanski is seeking to win it for the Greens, while Abdi-Wali, a Camden Council leader, is standing for Labour. Burnham appealed to voters to support Abdi-Wali, describing her as committed to the area. Polanski urged constituents to elect a Green MP, saying the party could push Labour on issues including rent controls, water ownership and new North Sea drilling. Both parties have campaigned heavily in the constituency, according to reports, with the Greens hoping to build on gains in local elections in May. Interviews with residents showed varied views and voting intentions.