Counting begins in Holborn and St Pancras as Polanski could come under pressure

Green Party leader Zack Polanski is the party’s candidate in the Holborn and St Pancras byelection (PA/Jonathan Brady)PA WireHarry Taylor5 minutes agoNews Briefings

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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.

Labour candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali appears to be ahead in the early stages of tallying the votes, as she faces competition from Mr Polanski. She has been the leader of Camden Council since May and is the bookies’ favourite.

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.

Ballot papers are counted by staff at the count for the Holborn and St Pancras by-election (Jordan Pettitt/PA)PA WireCaroline Lucas, the three-time former Green Party leader who was its first MP said people should “see what happens in the coming days and weeks” when asked about his future on BBC Newsnight.

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. This is a significant drop in turnout compared to the 2024 general election, when it was 54.46%.

The count is taking place at the headquarters of Camden Council at 5 Pancras Square in Camden, north London (Jordan Pettitt/PA)PA WireMr Polanski could come under pressure from inside the party in the coming weeks if he does not become the Green’s first London MP.

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. To be the main challenger shows how far the Greens have come.”

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.

In an interview on Thursday night, Ms Lucas refused to say Mr Polanski should stay.

She said she disagreed with him not voting on the anti-Zionism motion.

She said: “Should he stand down? I think let’s just see what happens in the next, in the coming days and weeks.

“I mean, obviously he has been completely taken up with this by-election.

“I want him to speak now about what’s happened. I want to show the leadership that was frankly missing on Sunday.

“I think the jury is out about whether or not he will do that, but I very much hope he will.”

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. We do things differently – unlike Labour who use anonymous sources and resort to factionalism.”

Green Party leader Zack Polanski (Will Colebourne/PA)PA WireA separate Green Party source said: “We had over 1000 activists on the ground today.

“Zack has shown he has energised this party and will continue to do so. 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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“Labour have spent this whole election running scared of Greens. This is just a taste of British politics between now and the next general election.”

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).

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.

Sagal Abdi-Wali, Labour candidate for the Holborn and St Pancras by-election (Jeff Moore/PA credit)PA WireDeputy 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. Educated in great Labour Camden schools, she’s been giving back to her local community ever since.

“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.

“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.”