Conservatives announce candidate for Holborn and St Pancras by-election

The Tories have announced their candidate for the parliamentary by-election to replace Sir Keir Starmer.

Ewan Cameron, a former Camden councillor and local political campaigner, will be the Conservative representative in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.

The contest was triggered when former prime minister Sir Keir announced he would stand down as MP for the London constituency when Parliament returned on September 1.

Labour has chosen Sagal Abdi-Wali, the leader of Camden Council, as its candidate to succeed Sir Keir in the seat.

He is likely to be the most serious electoral threat to Labour’s dominance in the constituency, which the party has held since it was created in 1983.

The 2024 general election, and recent local elections, have seen Labour voters move towards the Greens and independents amid dissatisfaction with the Government’s approach to Gaza.

Mr Cameron is the third candidate to have been announced to run in the by-election, which will take place on October 8.

The Conservatives face a tough prospect in the seat, having won the fourth largest number of votes in 2024, behind Labour, independent candidate Andrew Feinstein, and the Greens.

Tory candidate Mr Cameron said: “I am honoured to have been selected as the Conservative candidate for Holborn and St Pancras. This is the community where I have lived, raised my family and call home.

“From Georgian terraces, squares and the Regent’s Canal to the Knowledge Quarter’s research, AI and science organisations today, Holborn and St Pancras has enormous potential that with the right political leadership can become an even better place to live, work and belong.

“We need a Member of Parliament focused on safer streets, more family homes and cutting the cost of living.

“While families are leaving Holborn and St Pancras, the Green leader wants to talk about Gaza. Holborn & St Pancras has recently endured a ‘Never Here’ MP. We do not want another one.”