Labour launches campaign in crunch London by-election against Zack Polanski’s Green Party

Labour candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali has pledged to give children the “best possible start in life” as she launches her campaign for the upcoming by-election.

The Camden Council leader is hoping to keep Holborn and St Pancras in Labour hands, with housing, homelessness and support for families at the centre of her pitch to voters.

Ms Abdi-Wali said she wants families across the constituency to have the same “security and opportunity” she was afforded after arriving in the UK as a child refugee in the early 1990s, fleeing the civil war in Somalia.

The 42-year-old has lived in the London Borough of Camden for 35 years and previously served as the council’s cabinet member for Better Homes before becoming leader of Camden Council in 2026.

Labour launches its by-election campaign

Barry Gardiner

The Holborn and St Pancras by-election is scheduled to take place on October 8 following Sir Keir’s departure from front-line politics to focus on a role in international affairs.

If elected, Ms Abdi-Wali would become the first British-Somali woman to serve as an MP in the UK.

Joined by local MPs Georgia Gould and Florence Eshalomi at her campaign launch on Saturday, Ms Abdi-Wali promised to keep housing at the heart of her campaign, pointing to her record of investment in and improvements to Camden’s council homes.

She also pledged to continue putting families and children first.

Sagal Abdi-Wali (centre) at the launch of her campaign for the Holborn and St Pancras seat

Labour

In local government, she backed Camden’s Pregnancy Grant for eligible parents and the rollout of free breakfasts for children across the borough, with ten local schools already benefiting from the scheme

She also highlighted tackling homelessness as a priority – an issue shared with Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

“Camden gave my family a home, hope, and opportunity when we needed it most. I’ve never forgotten that, and I’ve spent my life working to give that same hope back to the community,” Ms Abdi-Wali said.

“I want every child growing up here and every family who calls this place home to have that same security and opportunity.

“That means more homes people can afford, giving families the support they need and making sure every child gets the best possible start in life.

Labour's candidate for the upcoming Holborn and St. Pancras by-election

Getty

“I’m proud of what we’ve delivered together in Camden, but I know there is so much more to do. Labour’s campaign is about bringing our community together to make hope win in Holborn and St Pancras.”

Housing is also emerging as a key battleground in the contest, with Mr Polanski putting affordable homes and rent controls at the forefront of the Green campaign.

Commenting on his selection as the Green Party candidate, Mr Polanski said: “I love this place and so do the people whose doors I’ve knocked on in recent days – but it can be even better. I know times are tough in Holborn and St Pancras.

“My story of constant moving around flats is such a common story for Londoners – and I know many people here are really struggling right now. I’ll fight to turn this around.

“Greens are underdogs here but we have the momentum – and I know we can achieve a historic victory in one of Labour’s safest seats.

“We will fight a positive campaign on the issues we know people care about, and to put as much pressure as we can on Labour to lower bills, for much more affordable housing and rent controls, to reduce massive wealth inequality and to make sure Labour don’t back down on climate action by allowing more North Sea drilling.

“If elected, I will fight every day, in this constituency and in the Houses of Parliament, for the things people care about. Against injustice and on the side of ordinary people, not big money and the powerful.”