Green Party Leader Challenges Labour in Starmer's Former London Seat
· World · Al Jazeera, Bloomberg, New York Times
Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party, is running in the by-election for Keir Starmer's former constituency of Holborn and St Pancras in London. The seat has been held by Labour since its creation in 1983, with Starmer representing it from 2015 until his resignation triggered this by-election. Fifteen candidates are contesting the race, including Labour's Sagal Abdi Wali and Liberal Democrat Patrick Stillman. At a meeting hosted by the Camden Muslim Network, Polanski criticised the Labour government's Gaza policy as cynical and called for a full boycott of Israel, citing arms sales despite apologies. Labour candidate Abdi Wali said she missed the meeting due to a prior obligation, though organisers claimed she was invited earlier. The Greens have targeted Abdi Wali's record as Camden council leader, claiming Labour councillors refused to sign a Palestine solidarity pledge or support pension fund divestment.
Why it matters
The by-election tests Labour's strength in a traditionally safe seat amid growing scrutiny over its foreign policy on Palestine. A Green gain would signal shifting voter sentiment on Israel-Gaza issues within a key London constituency.
Read the original report — Al Jazeera
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